Is there such a thing as "full steps" Lincoln Memorial cents?

I know this is a popular designation for Jefferson nickels and collectors pay top dollar for those varieties. I was perusing a dozen proof 1959's and came across a few that had sharply minted steps on the memorial of the reverse. I know it might be a stretch to have a designation like full steps because it does exhibit about 3x as many steps as the Jefferson's. But what's your take on this? And does something like this exist in the grading world?

 

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Hi kookoox,

There is currently not a designation for fullsteps for lincoln cents. There likely will not be either. I haven't really heard any chatter about it. I have heard some discussions about other coins and implementing new designations, for instance a Susan B Anthony Dollar and 'Full talons' on the eagle reverse. That also will likely not happen

My personal opinion is that designations like full steps and full split bands, etc.. are just a way for the tpg's to generate more interest and make more money. Just because a Jefferson doesn't have full steps, it doesn't even mean it's not a great strike.

-greg

 

I've discussed this for a number of years, there is no official designation for Lincoln FS. However, it is a trait I seek out for my collection as FS examples can be found (with a lot of searching) for a majority of the issues. My advice to collectors is to look for FS coins if they are serious about a memorial cent collection.

 

Thad, I have never paid attention to the steps on the memorials for cents. In general, is it difficult to find them? I'm sure it varies year to year, like the jeffersons, but overall would a full set of fullstep lincolns be a difficult task to accomplish?

 

It depends on the year/issue, some years are impossible because of master hub wear, as I recall, this affects the mid-70's coins. Other years are difficult because of over-used dies and working hubs. Remember, the mints were issuing billions of these and even EDS examples are challenging in themselves. Also consider from 1980-1985 the mint switched to a 8 step design, the 19 step design returned in 1986.

 

Oh wow. Sounds like it would be a difficult task. 19 steps? Holy smokes, I have never noticed they put that many in that tiny area. Thanks for the education. I will definitely pay attention from now on.

 

Designations like these probably would not have been used if collectors hadn't badgered the grading services to implement them.

As for a special designation for the Memorial steps, if I were a grader, I would seek out the person who thought up this cockamamie designation and pester him to no end right after I went to WalMart and bought every bottle of aspirin they had.

Chris

 

Finding them depends on the issue, some are tough, some are common. When you get to MDS and LDS coins the reverse die tends to wear heavily in the steps and cornice areas. This produces a smooth area around the center of the steps and an incomplete cornice. A complete full steps collection would be impossible to assemble due to the master hub issue I noted above.

 

A long time ago I took these pictures to show the difference between the two types steps design. I was amazed that nobody knew exactly how many steps were in each design!

 

I found that looking at the statue of Lincoln in the memorial was a better measure of the strike quality when I was collecting them. :devil:

 

It may be difficult to put a set together of the full steps, but it would be one nice set. Gives one something to strive for. Perfection.

 

Problem is that Ol' Abe disappears once in a while.

 

I've been working on a ultra-grade/strike memorial cent collection for years. You wouldn't even believe the difficulty. I could put together a gem wheat cent set easier albeit at a greater cost. Well-struck, EDS, gem memorial cents are TOUGH regardless of what people think. I've cracked hundreds of rolls and searched the world over for what I seek......yet my collection is far from "done".

 

I actually just found FS on a 2000 lincoln cent which is odd never seen any that nice before on a Lincoln can't though . LOL

 

It was well struck ... And personal I think there should be a category for these . Since there so hard to come by . It only makes sense .

 

I think full steps on Lincolns would be a hard sell. I could see someone arguing for a "full lincoln" instead - since that is an easier thing to see, and Abe does tend to disappear sometimes. I have been a fan of 'full talons' on the SBA for a long time.

These designations are largely marketing, so you have to demonstrate to the TPG that there is a market for it. FB were designated nearly from the beginning of TPGs because that is how those coins were collected. Tomaska convinced them to add FBL for Franklins because he is a convincing marketer.

You could mount a campaign to get these designated, but it may be easier to just stealthily buy the high quality pieces on your own, without the TPG premium.

 

I love the photography! Even I can see coins with this microscopic quality. Full steps would equate to detail but it would be tough to see them start sticking that descriptor the holders routinely. I can barely see if Lincoln is even in his chair on the reverse much less count steps.

 

WOW! Those steps are fabulous for the issue, this is one of the more difficult years to find full steps. Halfway up the steps and/or the bottom right are usually mushy. I remember rejoicing when I found mine.

 

Exactly! As the mint played with the design to optimize die fill, the problem areas seemed to get worse. Particularly - the top of the head and the shoulder. Those areas struggle to fill on the later date Memorials.

Here's an example of a VEDS coin I found - the hair details are as good as you're going to find, yet the very top of the head is still not fully filled. Lady luck was on my side when I found this, it also happened to have FS!

You can clearly see the die fill issues in the shoulder/lapel area and the top of the head.