1952-D Nickel, Circulated But Almost No Wear!

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 242
coinnoob13 New Member United States 23 Posts	Posted 02/22/2026 5:11 pm ok, here's a question... on the ngccoin site a ms-67 with full five steps went for $2,280. Here's the thing, while this clearly isn't MS due to the cuts, it's got a lot of better definition than some of the 65-67's ive seen graded... and the steps on mine are all clear and dont show wear (although one small gouge) so what happens when your circulated coin (still has great luster too) is in better overall condition than an MS in terms of wear/crispness, but has some circulation cuts (I'm not sure what the name for that is) in it? Is it in the eye of the beholder at this point? has cuts, but also pretty exceptional definition? Given the steps alone, I think this is above the VF/NU category. Also the reverse is in better shape than the obverse. You'd think if the "5 steps" is the big ticket item here (as it seems to be in the auctions) that the reverse is more important side here? so how would one grade this? Thoughts? Report this Post to the Staff

ijn1944 Bedrock of the Community United States 19108 Posts	Posted 02/22/2026 5:38 pm Nice coin. My first reaction is a high end AU. Unfortunately, a portion of the steps appear to be lightly 'mushed'. Unfamiliar with the 'NU' designation. Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 73577 Posts	Posted 02/22/2026 9:42 pm Looks like a nice high AU coin. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6449 Posts	Posted 02/22/2026 10:13 pm A coin with faint circulation wear is often called a slider, and typically grades AU58. Remember that mint state coins can have bag marks from banging around in the bags against other coins. That will lower the grade, but wear is what determines MS versus AU. When I first started with grading, folks on this forum introduced me to the idea that you can have a nice AU coin that many would visually prefer to a low grade MS coin. Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10470 Posts	Posted 02/22/2026 10:38 pm What to look at for "Full Steps".......... OP coin image........ Edited by Marv65 02/22/2026 10:39 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Greasy Fingers Pillar of the Community United States 6988 Posts	Posted 02/23/2026 12:02 am To me the luster is not coming through in your photos (doesn't mean it's not there). As far as steps go, I'd say you have only 3 full steps. Could there be corrosion above the B and E in Liberty? Maybe the reason someone put it into circulation? Grade wise...AU-55/58 Quote: Unfamiliar with the 'NU' designation Could the poster mean Nearly Uncirculated. Report this Post to the Staff
panzaldi Bedrock of the Community United States 18627 Posts	Posted 02/23/2026 09:19 am mid-high AU. cuts would not be the proper term here. hairlines, scratches, nicks, scuffs, gouge are some of the terms to define marks on the coin. I dont see anything on your coin that would rise to the level of a cut you cannot have FS on a circulated coin. the designation only applies to MS coins. do not confuse light reflection with luster. there may be a few areas of luster still peaking through on this one but most of it is gone. its good that you were able to see the coin was circulated as most graders have a difficult time when looking at a high AU coin to determine that. 5 steps are a big deal based on the year. some years are harder to find with full strikes and command more of a premium here is PCGS photograde to help assess grade https://www.pcgs.com/Photograde/ Report this Post to the Staff
IndianGoldEagle Bedrock of the Community United States 36415 Posts	Posted 02/23/2026 12:25 pm AU-55, not FS. Report this Post to the Staff
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