Complete Steps Nickels are a certain kind of Jefferson nickel with a very clear design, especially on the back of the coin where the steps of the U.S.
What Are Full Steps Nickels & How Much Are These Rare Jefferson Nickels Worth?
Capitol building (called Monticello on the coin) can be clearly seen and are struck very precisely. This is a very important part of grading these coins, and the state of the steps is a big part of how much the coin is worth.
How do you do Full Steps Nickels?
Jefferson nickels are called “Full Steps” (FS) when the steps on the back of Monticello’s building can be seen clearly and in great detail. These things must be true about a nickel in order for it to be called a Full Steps coin:
Five clear steps on Monticello: The five steps that lead to the building should be easy to see and not covered up by damage or wear. This means that each of the five steps should be clear, sharp, and easy to see.
No major wear: The back of the coin shouldn’t have much wear, especially around the steps and columns of Monticello. The strike must be clear enough that you can see the steps and the pattern as a whole without any smudging or fading.
High-grade condition: Full Steps coins are usually in higher grades (MS-60 and up) because the steps are more likely to be visible on coins that have been kept in good shape.
Why is it important to have full steps nickels?
Collectors really want Full Steps nickels because they are very hard to make and have to meet strict standards for the quality of the strike in order to be called Full Steps.
The dies that are used to strike Jefferson nickels often get worn down over time. This makes coins that are less clearly defined over time. Even more so for the steps on the back of the Monticello, which can get worn down or weak over time on many coins.
Because of this, it can be hard to find a well-struck coin with steps that can be seen clearly. This makes Full Steps nickels a desirable and expensive type of Jefferson nickel.
How do you grade Full Steps Nickels?
One of the things that determines the grade of a Full Steps nickel is how clear the steps are. In order to grade Full Steps coins, the following things are looked at:
How Clear the Steps Are: Coins with five clearly outlined steps on Monticello are often graded as having Full Steps. But if even one of the steps isn’t clear, the coin might not be a Full Steps nickel.
Quality of the Strike: The general sharpness of the coin’s design, including the front and back, is a big part of its grade. Even if the steps can be seen, a coin with a weak cut, especially around the steps, will not meet the Full Steps requirements.
Overall state: The overall state of the coin is also looked at, which includes things like wear, scratches, and shine. Most of the time, Full Steps coins are in great shape and are graded MS-65 or better.
How much are nickels from Full Steps worth?
A Full Steps nickel’s value can change based on its year, mint mark, and general state, among other things. Most of the time, Full Steps nickels are worth more than regular nickels. This is especially true for rare years or coins that are in great shape.
Here are some examples of Full Steps Jefferson Nickels and how much they are worth:
1938-D Nickel Full Steps:
This is one of the most sought-after Full Steps nickels because it is the first Jefferson nickel. If you can find an MS-65 1938-D Full Steps coin, it could be worth $2,000 or more.
1942-D Nickel Full Steps:
Another very valuable coin is the 1942-D Full Steps. An MS-65 example will sell for between $1,000 and $2,000. More money can be paid for coins with a better grade.
1950-D Nickel Full Steps:
People know that coins with the mintmark 1950-D are pretty rare, so this is one of the more well-known Full Steps types. Some MS-65 Full Steps coins from this year are worth $500 to $2,000 each.
Nickel 1951-D Full Steps:
The 1951-D Full Steps nickel is very rare and can be worth anywhere from $200 to $1,500, based on the grade and how clear the steps are.
1961 Nickel Full Steps:
Even though the 1961 Full Steps is a later date coin, it can still be worth $100 to $500 in better grades, especially if the steps are clear.