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 Replies: 15 / Views: 928 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
584 Posts |
Edited by Joshu - a
02/19/2022 09:39 am
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
No John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3468 Posts |
 with John1 |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
21584 Posts |
I can see three gouges that automatically eliminates it from a FS
A FS means exactly that it can have no breaks in the lines.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1406 Posts |
I think I read on this forum that any break in the steps no matter how small negates a full step.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1406 Posts |
Also nickels fro the 90's to present must have 6 full steps not 5  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3207 Posts |
I'm mainly interested in strike quality. For me, as with hits on Franklin full bell lines, hits on Monticello steps do not change the quality of the strike. I consider the example shown by the OP to be 5FS. If you feel differently, that's OK, and it leaves more nicely struck nickels for me. Do I value FS examples without hits on the steps more than those with hits, yes, but to me that difference is expressed by the grade. If you enjoy different criteria, again, that's OK by me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
579 Posts |
 Yep Not FS |
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Valued Member
United States
292 Posts |
this coin shows only 4 steps anyway. Correct?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
584 Posts |
Quote:
this coin shows only 4 steps anyway. Correct? There are 5 steps, but I think part of the last step is obliterated. That's why I asked. It sounds like scratches also make a difference. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1406 Posts |
Agree with NIck10 on finding quality strike. That is the goal. Full step, full bell lines, and full torch are a great bonus and I am making efforts to have them in my collections. That said, high quality full strike, higher grade coins go in my master binder. Full step, full torch dimes go in a separate collection unless they are my best examples.
Scratches are another area of subjectivity. I have read that scratches (and minor hits) do not necessarily negate full bell lines. I have also read that this is the case with full steps and full torches (as long as they do not 'break' the lines).
Question is, how many scratches are to excessive?
It's all so subjective just like grading.
Collect what you like! Don't get bogged down in details like I ALWAYS do!!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3207 Posts |
FWIW, for numismatic authority Q. David Bowers, Monticello's steps are a proxy for strike quality, something that is not changed by subsequent hits on them. The following quote is from his book United States Three-Cent and Five-Cent Pieces, An Action Guide for the Collector and Investor. "Some numismatists have made a specialty of Jefferson nickels. Those interested in going into the field more than just casually may want to investigate obtaining a strong magnifying glass with the object of seeking as many sharply struck pieces as possible. The steps on Monticello on the reverse have usually been designated as the benchmark for determining striking sharpness. Coins designated as 'full steps' have all of the parallel step lines sharply visible." https://archive.org/stream/unitedst...7v2_djvu.txt |
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Valued Member
United States
82 Posts |
Quote:
Also nickels from the 90's to present must have 6 full steps not 5 captainkurt - I could not find this info on the PCGS website. I did find their description of the FS designation, but nothing about requiring the 6 steps for '90s to present. Just trying to educate myself... |
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Valued Member
United States
82 Posts |
For those who are interested, here is PCGS description of the FS designation, with a short video showing how it's decided. Scratches, marks, etc. are mentioned as a factor not allowing the designation. https://www.PCGS.com/grades#gradeFSFS trivia; both NGC and PCGS count 5 steps to get FS. NGC acknowledges 5 or 6 steps, and will label it 5FS or 6 FS. PCGS just says FS. Having said all that, I still follow "buy the coin, not the slab." |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1406 Posts |
Thanx for the info! Seems all sources have different definitions of what they consider full torch/bell/steps. Collect the coins you like or collect the holders you like. Don't get caught up in the details (too much;). Always cross check what has been sold vs. prices you're willing to pay.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 928 |
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Posted 02/19/2022 10:02 am
