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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,688 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5675 Posts |
Do the TPG's even use the full steps designation for proof coins? I thought it was only used on business strikes. |
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Moderator
 United States
15466 Posts |
I think your coins qualify as full steps - definition below from the PCGS glossary:
Full Steps
Term applied to a Jefferson five-cent example when at least 5 steps of Monticello are present.
Concur that is a weak definition - and does not account for the minor nicks/cuts that might obscure one or more small areas of the step.
Regardless - you have some lovely nickels and all you have shown so far are FS IMHO
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
683 Posts |
Quote:. Having different standards at the various TPG's doesn't help. But I agree, an unequivocal full 6-steps is pretty rare. I will probably get some flack for this, but seeing as how many coins with nicks and dings (on the steps) and coins depicting less than full steps STILL get the FS designation from the tpgs, I pretty much just view most TPG FS graded nickels as 4 steps or less (atleast untill I am able to see otherwise). |
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Rest in Peace
 10197 Posts |
Quote:
But I agree, an unequivocal full 6-steps is pretty rare. This may only be a specific for Proof coins anyway. When speaking of 5 steps, this is usually a business struck coin as from my experience. My previous foray into Mint state coins gave these 4 examples(got the pix, can't get the thread) 1971-D  1973-P  1989D  Unknown MS  As is clearly seen, quite the difference between a Proof and MS (even in cellos!) These were the best out of 100 mixed date examples, these were also the clearest. Technically I would call not a one a full five step, altho some others had a different view. I imagine a TPG may have passed the first three. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5029 Posts |
Very good thread Crazy.  I "love" the all seeing eye on the first post. I was not expecting that! All in all though some very nice coins you are showing us. |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Here's some more I have. If anyone has a good example, please post them! I went over the coins in my master albums. These were from 1964 on out of Mint Sets and Proof sets. You'd think these would be a higher quality of coin, not having bag contacts and storage faults. Not the case at all. The Proof coins were as depicted at the start of this study almost all clear 5 and 6 step examples, very few were damaged or from worn dies. I have quite a few MS coins among my early dates, this 1939 and 1950D are MS62's, the 1974was a mint set issue. These are the best I had, nowhere near a 5-step. All seem to lack the lower steps, at least completely across.  Now these next groups are all out of the latter 1980's, it seems the reverse dies were redesigned and the presses were modified as well to have greater strike pressures. I do think that these maybe 5 step coins, well the one 1987P may qualify as a true 6-step coin. I'll define that more later in another post tomorrow.   These are real close to a 5 step, too bad for the damages and scratches...a shame when you'd think that coming from a mint pack cello, these would be much nicer. Edited by Crazyb0
09/07/2018 12:43 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
The only good steps picture I have of my ANACS PR67 graded 1942 P silver proof nickel.   I have many Jefferson nickels I need to photograph. It will most likely be my last numismatic adventure. Once I start, I'll be at it for a long time.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1339 Posts |
Great educational post..we can all learn from this!
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Mike, that 42 is stunning! Only a 67 too, wow! Here's some more pix of that 1987P. I've tried to de-lineate the different steps on this example. It may be clear from side to side, but the high mag chatter sucks! That has been the observation throughout all of this. Die states of the Master hubs must have been so "well used" from year to year, that few "clean" dies were ever produced for some earlier years...be interesting if that has ever been documented before, My sampling isn't enough to actually be called a definitive study. So here's the 1987-P that appears to this point to be the best I've pulled out of US Mint Packs, that sure don't say much for quality control! The 5 or 6 steps:  The "Quality" Mint Products( NOTE: this is EXACTLY how it came out of the Mint cello):  uploaded/Crazyb0/20180907_87-2.jpg[/img In my limited grading skills, I would grade this at no more than MS62 at the very best...in good light! The fine scratch patterns indicate dust particles was sealed within the cello, hence rubbed in storage and transportation. So to get a true 5 step coin EVEN from direc Business strike Mint issue is rare indeed! This is the last coin I scoped. It also has these fine scratches I've noticed on all the 1980's issues. I'll be continuing later to scope the rest, but don't have my hopes up...althi there was a major die change that makes full steps much easier.    To be Continued... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1901 Posts |
Here's my best example on my 43 D Full stepper   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Really greats information. Although I'm not a Jefferson nickel fan, I do have several Albums of them. I wonder if the US Mint even realizes that people use the steps as a sort of guide to a grade. Sort of like the full bands on a Mercury dime or the lines of the Bell on Franklin halves. Before this post I'd probably never look at the amount of steps on those Nickels. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Mrzllewellyn . I'm dazzled with your war nick!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1901 Posts |
Thank you I really like it bought a lot of 3 43 D,S,P and found this as my D I was surprised got it for a few dollars so can't be mad at all and the other are very nice as well
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Zach, that is an absolutely superb example, my oh my! That takes the cake! You reminded me I have some High grade War Nickels too in a Capital Plastics holder and a type set too I'll have to check.  Achh! Not a single one among all these are even a five step, about 4 1/2 is all with the bottom occluded on the bottom as usual! I would grade the war nicks at MS65 and a couple maybe a grade or two better, nice coins but no good steps. Still have the last of my MS/PF's to look through from 1990 on, maybe some hope still! Edited by Crazyb0
09/08/2018 9:53 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1901 Posts |
Thank you Butch. Yeah that is the best example I have seen. I'm proud to own it.
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,688 |
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First Page
Posted 09/04/2018 7:09 pm
