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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,597 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3330 Posts |
Is this close to Full Steps? Is it Full Steps? How would you grade it? Note a couple of Fingerprints on Reverse and very light scratches on Obverse! What is the area along the bottom of the lower step? Is that normal?    |
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Valued Member
260 Posts |
Nice! I have one almost just like that.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36558 Posts |
Looks like about 4 steps, so close but not close enough.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Could be 5 steps, maybe - the close-up is unclear to me.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3330 Posts |
Here is another photo of the steps - don't know how much it might help!  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
you have an impaired proof. not quite full steps. at bottom of last step; some kind of mint damage.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3330 Posts |
Quote:
some kind of mint damage. Anyone know what kind? What caused it? Quote:
you have an impaired proof. A proof would have an S mint mark? Or maybe I do not know what an impaired proof is? Edited by Pete2226
08/17/2015 3:59 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
My first thought was that it was a proof, but yeah, no S mint mark. Almost looks like some kind of lamination issue. I'm stumped, but not FS.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Guys, the mint did not use S mint marks on Jefferson nickels until 1968. like I said ; it's an impaired proof. pete2226 ; an impaired proof is somewhat damaged by the elements or put into circulation. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3330 Posts |
Thank you T-BOP for contributing to this feeble old man's education!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3330 Posts |
My primary question on grading this coin is: Would the light scratches cause this to grade below 60?
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Pete , with the scratches and fingerprints on this nickel ,I'm not sure if we can designate a numerical proof grade on it. I feel your concern on what to grade your nickel, but I'm more concerned about that crack at bottom of steps on reverse. I still feel it's a mint error. could have value ?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3330 Posts |
Thanks T-BOP. As is obvious, my grading skills are somewhat lacking! I do believe it is a mint error and perhaps the crack is rather unusual especially being in 2 places along an axis, and also being internal. Would it ever be appropriate to grade a coin like this as MS rather than PF? I would think that any value it might have would not exceed $10.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Detail descriptors(Full Steps, Full Bell Lines, etc) are not used on proof strikes because proofs are assumed to be struck with full details. There is a die crack running along the base of the steps which is not uncommon. You may want to use some acetone to address those fingerprints. However, it may already be too late as proof surfaces are very prone to fingerprint etching. Quote:
Would it ever be appropriate to grade a coin like this as MS rather than PF? Never, proofs and business strikes use different grading standards in addition to having markedly different appearances. With that said, some classic proofs have been mislabeled as business strikes over the years. It is usually unintentional but it is sometimes intentional in the case of a business strike being worth much more than a proof strike. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4932 Posts |
Value would barely exceed $5 alone. It's a 1959 proof nickel, full steps but doesn't exactly matter since all proofs had full steps.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3330 Posts |
Quote:
You may want to use some acetone to address those fingerprints. However, it may already be too late Thanks for the suggestion...it worked!  |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,597 |
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Posted 08/17/2015 2:12 pm
