Beautiful MS69 FB Mercury dime

Bodin · August 31, 2014 10:09AM

Anybody know if that is just a scratched slab on the reverse? Because it doesn't look FB otherwise. Needless to say.....I'd love to own it.

mdwoods · August 31, 2014 10:12AM

I was talking to dealer at a big show when someone walked up with 5 PCGS 1939 D Mercs. 4 were 69FB and 1 was 68FB. They had all been in old ANACS 67FB holders. They were all stunning coins with toning like the one you posted and blazing luster. I only remember seeing one small tick on the 68 and the others seemed perfect. The dealer bought all 5, I watch him write the check. I was in awe. I got to look at all of them closely. His favorite was the 68, the toning was just a bit nicer.

Bodin · August 31, 2014 10:31AM

<< I was talking to dealer at a big show when someone walked up with 5 PCGS 1939 D Mercs. 4 were 69FB and 1 was 68FB. They had all been in old ANACS 67FB holders. They were all stunning coins with toning like the one you posted and blazing luster. I only remember seeing one small tick on the 68 and the others seemed perfect. The dealer bought all 5, I watch him write the check. I was in awe. I got to look at all of them closely. His favorite was the 68, the toning was just a bit nicer. >>

WOW. Jealous

SeattleSlammer · August 31, 2014 10:34AM

Really hard to tell about the bands...slab glare/scratch or the coin itself?.....also seems to have a number of reverse dings for a 69.

19Lyds · August 31, 2014 10:42AM

<< Really hard to tell about the bands...slab glare/scratch or the coin itself?.....also seems to have a number of reverse dings for a 69. >>

Well, until I see it in a slab, I just cannot believe that its a 69.

bolivarshagnasty · August 31, 2014 10:48AM

That's definitely a slab scuff over the middle band on the OP's pic.

toyz4geo · August 31, 2014 10:52AM

I seem to remember a few years ago that someone had found/discovered/purchased one of those old savings folders that had the band of paper holding the dimes in. They all had similar toning to the obverse like this one. If I remember correctly, they all graded high like this one. Don't remember who graded them though. Nice Merc for sure.

AMRC · August 31, 2014 10:57AM

Looks like it could use a new holder.

pennyannie · August 31, 2014 11:25AM

The first posted coin does not look like a 69 that I would like to own based off the pics, maybe in hand I would think different.

mercurydimeguy · August 31, 2014 11:46AM

Yes they are, and I won't even get into a grading debate other than to say they are nice coins

Sunnywood · August 31, 2014 11:56AM

It's probably not fair to try to grade the coin from images, especially those taken with the coin in the holder.
Here's a 1939-D PCGS MS68+ FB CAC imaged outside the holder ... I just added this to my collection.

panexpoguy · August 31, 2014 12:41PM

That 68+ CAC is like a slice of fresh apple pie with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream on top. The color, or the 'creaminess' of middle portion, would be wonderful on its own, but together they reach another level of special.

MsMorrisine · August 31, 2014 1:16PM

Most likely holder

Out of focus photos, too.

Seller could clear things up with some slab polishing. This might be one time when polishing a slab before sale is worth it.

BLUEJAYWAY · August 31, 2014 5:06PM

<< It's probably not fair to try to grade the coin from images, especially those taken with the coin in the holder.
Here's a 1939-D PCGS MS68+ FB CAC imaged outside the holder ... I just added this to my collection.

>>

When the toning stars align this is the result. My favorite series and a most exquisite piece.

grip · August 31, 2014 10:54PM

<< 

<< Really hard to tell about the bands...slab glare/scratch or the coin itself?.....also seems to have a number of reverse dings for a 69. >>

Well, until I see it in a slab, I just cannot believe that its a 69. >>

Could be they imaged the wrong coin.

Catbert · September 1, 2014 1:15AM

Tom Bush has a 39-D MS68FB CAC with similar obverse toning in his archive section. Seems a lot of these exist with this type of beautiful toning!

roadrunner · September 1, 2014 1:36AM

The OP's coin seems to be lacking something on the obverse strike. And it is sort of annoying to have an obvious mark right across a diagonal band joined by half a dozen or so lighter ones. Could you see a MS69 Morgan having a chip taken out of the eagle's breast? I'd take Sunnywood's coin over this one if they were both raw. Merc dimes ought to be near flawless in MS69 grade such that any marks should not be in focal areas (bands, cheek, neck, and fields).

The OP's coin does appear to meet the criteria for showing a full split. It's debatable if the marks on the diagonal bands would counter that. Some of these MS69 Mercs have an "unbrow." Could over polishing the die result in generally weaker detail? Do you want your MS69 to be missing a major design feature of the coin (ie a full facial outline)? On the reverse, some of these have a flattish "TES" in "STATES" while others are fairly sharp.

Treashunt · September 1, 2014 8:42PM

That doesn't look like FB

Treashunt · September 1, 2014 8:43PM

<< It's probably not fair to try to grade the coin from images, especially those taken with the coin in the holder.
Here's a 1939-D PCGS MS68+ FB CAC imaged outside the holder ... I just added this to my collection.

>>

amazing

keets · September 1, 2014 10:03PM

Well, until I see it in a slab, I just cannot believe that its a 69.

perhaps you should read the post a few before yours, it may not prove 100% reassuring but it is a start. it seems that lately there is quite a bit of unreasonable suspicion at the forum.
-----note to self: please remember that you can't accurately grade a coin from a picture.

DollarAfterDollar · September 1, 2014 11:31PM

That looks like a coin I couldn't sell for $20 on E-Bay.

The hits all over are clear enough to me to conclude that it cannot be an MS 69. Period!!

PTVETTER · September 2, 2014 12:16AM

I have to agree with the statements about the hits on the reverse.

Can not be a 69 with those hits!

19Lyds · September 2, 2014 12:42AM

<< Well, until I see it in a slab, I just cannot believe that its a 69.

perhaps you should read the post a few before yours, it may not prove 100% reassuring but it is a start. it seems that lately there is quite a bit of unreasonable suspicion at the forum.
-----note to self: please remember that you can't accurately grade a coin from a picture. >>

I'll stand by my statement.

roadrunner · September 2, 2014 1:24AM

It's true that one can't grade 100% accurately by a photo considering all the nuances with luster, hairlines, etc. But, it's just as true that 100% of the time with a good photo you can see obvious marks, striking issues, luster problems, signs of cleaning, and other concerns that make the coin either low end or unworthy of the assigned grade.

keets · September 2, 2014 3:16AM

It's true that one can't grade 100% accurately by a photo considering all the nuances with luster, hairlines, etc. But, it's just as true that 100% of the time with a good photo you can see obvious marks, striking issues, luster problems, signs of cleaning, and other concerns that make the coin either low end or unworthy of the assigned grade.

one of the most helpful things that Russ has done at this site is to show how easily a "good photo" can be manipulated to hide or accentuate certain characteristics of a coin.

grote15 · September 2, 2014 3:37AM

Is the coin in the OP graded PCGS MS69FB??

pmac · September 2, 2014 3:40AM

Does the mushieness(sp?) of the "TE" in states and "F" in of and the date come into play as to the high grade? Some of the others had crisp lettering that could be part of the MS69 grade. I know it's difficult to grade by photos, but this is too obvious.

reddwing · September 2, 2014 3:40AM

What a beautiful coin and series, one of my favorites!

MsMorrisine · September 2, 2014 3:56AM

the photos of the coin is out of focus.

some of those "hits" on the reverse are "in focus" or at least appear to be,

doesn't that raise a flag?

I'm guessing there are lots of marks on the holders. If the seller would polish the slab it would take care of a lot of questions.

This is one time where polishing a slab before selling the coin is a worthwhile idea.

SeattleSlammer · September 2, 2014 4:13AM

Unless you can get a green bean on a 69.......I'd much prefer a nice 68 or 68+ for the money.

roadrunner · September 2, 2014 4:32AM

I'm giving the coin the benefit of the doubt that all those obv "hairline" marks are on the holder. Same for the fuzziness on the right half of the center bands where the holder appears scuffed. But what you can't hide are the ticks that are most certainly not on the holder. I don't think any amount of tweaking of the photo will restore the flatness in some lettering and the "unbrow." The coin is still exceptional, though I don't think as worthy of a 69 grade and/or price as some others.

johnny9434 · September 2, 2014 5:00AM

<< Really hard to tell about the bands...slab glare/scratch or the coin itself?.....also seems to have a number of reverse dings for a 69. >>

ill second that one. not for me thanks

OldIndianNutKase · September 2, 2014 5:01AM

<< It's probably not fair to try to grade the coin from images, especially those taken with the coin in the holder.
Here's a 1939-D PCGS MS68+ FB CAC imaged outside the holder ... I just added this to my collection.

>>

GREAT pick up Sunnywood! The toning is spectacular. Do you have any idea what imperfection might have prevented it being a 69 like the OP posted? I cannot see any from your out of slab photos.

OINK

IrishMikey · September 2, 2014 5:10AM

Those were great looking Mercury dimes the first time I saw them, as a group. I seem
to remember that there were hundreds of them, all from the cardboard folders that
banks used to give out. The grades have slowly inched higher over the years, especially
for the ones with the best colors.

luckybucks · December 5, 2014 10:14AM

Some outstanding Mercs with outstanding colors.

DIMEMAN · December 5, 2014 10:35AM

My favorite coin in this thread is the one posted by Bluejayway.

The Dime in the OP does not look FB at all. Bad slab or not.

TopographicOceans · December 5, 2014 10:41AM

<< That's definitely a slab scuff over the middle band on the OP's pic. >>

I'd have to agree - or it's not a FB

Tookybandit · December 5, 2014 10:52AM

Very beautiful!

crypto79 · December 6, 2014 3:32AM

<< 

<< It's probably not fair to try to grade the coin from images, especially those taken with the coin in the holder.
Here's a 1939-D PCGS MS68+ FB CAC imaged outside the holder ... I just added this to my collection.

>>

GREAT pick up Sunnywood! The toning is spectacular. Do you have any idea what imperfection might have prevented it being a 69 like the OP posted? I cannot see any from your out of slab photos.

OINK >>

Looks to be the planchet striations in lib's wings. All nice coins but they are just to close to normal 20$ coins as others mentioned to be worth the difference to these eyes

ricko · December 6, 2014 4:18AM

Mercs are a favorite of mine...but the OP coin does not look 69....Cheers, RickO

grip · December 6, 2014 4:37AM

<< The OP's coin seems to be lacking something on the obverse strike. And it is sort of annoying to have an obvious mark right across a diagonal band joined by half a dozen or so lighter ones. Could you see a MS69 Morgan having a chip taken out of the eagle's breast? I'd take Sunnywood's coin over this one if they were both raw. Merc dimes ought to be near flawless in MS69 grade such that any marks should not be in focal areas (bands, cheek, neck, and fields).

The OP's coin does appear to meet the criteria for showing a full split. It's debatable if the marks on the diagonal bands would counter that. Some of these MS69 Mercs have an "unbrow." Could over polishing the die result in generally weaker detail? Do you want your MS69 to be missing a major design feature of the coin (ie a full facial outline)? On the reverse, some of these have a flattish "TES" in "STATES" while others are fairly sharp. >>

Your observation is right on.

grip · December 6, 2014 4:42AM

Forgot to ask. Is that in a PCGS holder? Please tell.

Beautiful MS69 FB Mercury dime

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