| Author |
 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,685 |
|
Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
I have been on a quest to find a truly clear 6 step example. This indeed requires 1) Near MS or PF coins, most circulation coins are eliminated quickly. 2) only certain dates, those where new dies were introduced more often that were made from new hubbing masters. Not as easy as it sounds. I had recently posted of the 100 examples, in mint cello yet, and I found only 4 examples that were a "might be" until it got under the scope. Most all had a start of Five steps, but were occluded or dinged in at least one of the steps. A Six step is one where both the upper and lower portions are clear all across. Recently I have picked up a group of 63 and 64 proof nickels in mint cello. One stuck out, it is about the nicest coin I have seen raw, I would grade it at least a 69, it is so clear of blemish until.... AND it is the closest I have ever scoped to a full 6 step...so far, have a few more to check. I have one concern tho if the slight occlusion between 3 & 4 near center is enough to disqualify. On mag it is seen as slight, normal shows 6.    BUT THEN...disaster struck The unforgiving, all-seeing eye!   Edited by Crazyb0
09/04/2018 3:58 pm
|
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
73747 Posts |
Very interesting and very educational thread Crazyb0! Thank you for taking your time to post this! I've always wondered about this subject as well, and wanted to see more research done on Full Steps.
Errers and Varietys.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
5661 Posts |
Full steps seems like such a clear concept, but like everything else in grading, it becomes very subjective when trying to decide whether a line is truly uninterrupted or whether a small nick disqualifies. Having different standards at the various TPG's doesn't help. But I agree, an unequivocal full 6-steps is pretty rare. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Thanks for the topic. Hopefully I will be able to contribute.
|
|
Rest in Peace
 10197 Posts |
I had 3 1963 proofs in cellos, these came from an old dealer's estate. I wonder if these weren't those he set aside as best? What say you on these three, I say all 6-steppers, and YES, that is a scratch on #2  1)  2)  3)  As a side note, all areas are well defined, the sides down to the very corners can be seen on this group. On my original 64, the side details was soft in the 4 corners. So far, conclusions are 63 master hubs must have been newer than 64's OR the coins were pulled later in the initial run of the dies used.? Edited by Crazyb0
09/04/2018 6:40 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5661 Posts |
Do the TPG's even use the full steps designation for proof coins? I thought it was only used on business strikes. |
|
Moderator
 United States
15394 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
|
|
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). |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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
|
|
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.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1339 Posts |
Great educational post..we can all learn from this!
|
|
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... |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1901 Posts |
Here's my best example on my 43 D Full stepper   |
| |
Replies: 20 / Views: 3,685 |
Posted 09/04/2018 4:12 pm
