1975-D 5C (Regular Strike)

Struck at the Denver Mint, the 1975-D Jefferson Nickel (#4095, #84095) features the “D” mintmark on the obverse. This issue is notable because, along with the 1975-D Lincoln Cent (#82979, #92979, #2979) and 1975-D Roosevelt Dime (#5148, #85148), it was one of only three circulating coins issued in 1975 to bear that year's date. The Washington Quarter (#5897), Kennedy Half Dollar (#6727), and Eisenhower Dollar (#7420, #7421) coins all displayed the commemorative dual date, 1776–1976, for the Bicentennial.

The Full Steps Requirement for the 1975-D

To earn the premium “Full Steps" (FS) designation, a 1975-D Jefferson Nickel must display exceptional strike quality, specifically concerning the clarity of the steps in front of Monticello on the coin's reverse. The steps are positioned on the design between the foundation block and the stylobate—the flat base beneath Monticello's columns.

For nickels graded MS60 or better, PCGS applies the FS designation when at least five complete steps are clearly visible. Any nickel with steps that appear joined or fused together, whether struck that way or from subsequent damage, will not qualify as Full Steps.

Frequency of the Full Steps Designation on 1975-D Nickels

The 1975-D Jefferson Nickel is one of the three toughest 1970s Denver Mint nickels to find with Full Steps. In our analysis, the 1970-D (#4084, #84084) is by far the rarest Full Step nickel of the decade. The 1975-D is significantly easier to locate than the 1970-D, but still ranks as the third toughest D-Mint of the 1970s to find in Full Steps. The 1976-D (#4097, #84097) is only marginally scarcer with the Full Steps designation than the 1975-D.

Conditional Scarcity and Future Pops

Superb Gems are difficult to come by, as most coins are marred by incidental contact marks and grade no finer than MS65. As is the case with many modern conditional rarities, the challenge lies not in the availability of the coins themselves, but in the availability of superior examples. The United States Mint sold 1,921,488 Uncirculated Coin Sets in 1975. This total, along with an untold number of rolls set aside by collectors and dealers decades ago, continues to survive largely intact. In time, many of these coins will pass through our grading process. It remains to be seen whether the material that is still "in the wild" will prove to be materially nicer than the coins that have already been pre-screened by knowledgeable submitters and now reside in PCGS holders.

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