A 1993-D Jefferson Nickel ANACS MS66 6-Steps is a high-grade, collectible coin with specific attributes that make it desirable to numismatists. Here’s a breakdown of what each term means and what this coin’s value might be.
Breakdown of the Coin’s Description
- 1993-D: This denotes the year the coin was minted, 1993, and the mint of production, which is the Denver Mint (“D”). Billions of these nickels were produced, making them common in circulation.
- Jefferson Nickel: This refers to the standard U.S. five-cent coin featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse.
- ANACS: This is a professional third-party grading service. ANACS (American Numismatic Association Certification Service) authenticates coins, assigns them a numerical grade, and then encapsulates them in a tamper-evident holder.
- MS66: This is the numerical grade on the Sheldon Coin Grading Scale. “MS” stands for “Mint State,” which means the coin has never been circulated and shows no signs of wear. A grade of 66 is considered a “Gem Uncirculated” coin. It’s an exceptionally high grade, indicating a coin with a strong strike, full original luster, and only a few minor imperfections that are not in the coin’s main focal areas.
- 6-Steps: This is a very important and sought-after designation for Jefferson Nickels. It signifies that the coin has a very strong strike, showing all six steps leading up to the entrance of Monticello on the reverse side. The steps must be clearly defined and separate from each other. Coins without this designation are far more common and less valuable in high grades.
Value and Rarity
The 1993-D Jefferson Nickel is a modern coin with a very high mintage. In lower, circulated grades, it’s worth only its face value. However, finding one in Mint State condition with a grade as high as MS66 and with the “6-Steps” designation is much rarer. The combination of a top-tier grade and the full steps attribute transforms a common coin into a collectible.
Based on current market data, a 1993-D Jefferson Nickel with the MS66 and 6-Steps designation can have a value ranging from tens of dollars to over a hundred, depending on the specific eye appeal of the coin. The value is significantly higher than a coin of the same year and grade without the “6-Steps” feature. Collectors who focus on “Full Steps” Jefferson Nickels are particularly interested in these coins, driving up their value.
