Can A Non Full Strike Coin Grade MS-68?

Certainly seems to be that way in fact. But...Is this strict grading, or market grading? What about Non full step Jefferson nickels? What if coin is literally flawless and otherwise MS70 or 69?

I've seen coins in slabs that were noted as WEAK strikes and the grades were always way down in the AU bracket although they appeared to have no wear at all. I've got plenty of coins that show weak strikes and I would bet if graded by a TPG they would end up being AU50 or thereabouts.

There are many examples of the Jefferson nickel graded by pcgs well above MS-65 that do not attain the FS rating, the steps are a product of a weakness in the strike of the coin, as well as the hair details ,these two areas due to the depth of the design especially in the older high relief coins was difficult to completely fill increased pressure was very hard on the dies and of course with less pressure the dies lasted longer but the strike quality suffered.

Here is just one example http://cgi.ebay.com/MS67-PCGS-1943-...67_W0QQitemZ120076260537QQihZ002QQcategoryZ41088QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120076260537

But if the sellers claim is to be believe it is the highest grade of this year and mint ever graded by PCGS.



Metalman