Another 1961 (D Nickel) Xtreme Shiny. Is This Worth Grading?

I agree with all that Nickelsearcher mentioned.

The obverse rim dings at K6 & K12 (and into the hair) are pretty strong so I knew the answer about sending it for grading before looking at the reverse.

@lrn, as noted above, best practice is to start only one thread per coin so I've merged your two threads.

@lrn, I hear your frustration and see that you have two nickels in the most recent post. However, previously you were posting images of the same nickel in two different threads. Sometimes this happens when you have the same file name for multiple pictures. Let's keep this thread for your nickel with the heavy rim ding at 12 o'clock on the obverse. Please start a new thread for your other nickel. Thx.

Holy cow, a full step 1961-D? The mixed photos have me skeptical. A 1961-D is the holy grail of full step collectors! In MS-65 it would sell for tens of thousands of dollars. This one being in AU condition plus some big hits is worth much less, but I'd think someone would offer you $100s for it. Keep in mind many follow the Q David Bowers approach in that hits on the steps do not disqualify full step. If the topmost images are of the same coin, i.e. if that's really a 1961-D with great steps, ANACS grading is worth considering since they follow the Q David Bowers step logic.

In my excitement over this possibly being a rarity, I forgot that full step attribution might not be grade-label listed for below-MS coins like this one. OTOH full steps on a 1961-D are so rare, an exception might be made. Given the confusion with photos in this thread, my guess is the topmost reverse photo is actually of a 1964-D.

Here is an up close for the stairs, is this good enough

Here some close up hopefully it helps

Not an 1964 :)