Grading Raw Mercs
mrbrklyn
Posts: 458 ✭✭✭
This came from a dealer as an after thought of a larger trade. It thought it a pretty coin
Coin A
Coin B
So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
1
Comments
I think all Mercury dimes are pretty. That one looks AU55ish to me, maybe a 58
Mr_Spud
Two different coins, but yeah, like @Mr_Spud I think all Merc's are pretty.
Both look high AU
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
The Bottom one looks so close to full band. I wouldn't make it FB, but I have seen graded versions with FB designation just like it.
Where do you see the wear? Can you show me?
I mean this one
In that pic of the reverse, the most noticable wear
Is on the lower diagonal part, I added an arrow pointing where I mean
Here’s a picture showing where to look for wear
Mr_Spud
The lower Diagonal band
Trace wear and friction with disturbed (molested?) luster. Especially the second coin. The first COULD grade low Unc, but I doubt it at our hosts.
Sometimes trace wear is the hardest to differentiate for newer folks to the top-tier grading game. It's why "sliders" survived so long being sold as Unc's.
My 2c ... YMMV
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
I've seen many sliders in MS slabs over the years, especially Morgans. It is very hard to see in Merc because they are so small, and it is highly theoretical the difference between marks due to mint handling and storage in draws, and that which happens from circulating coins. Especially in soft silver.
I collect mainly 58s, here’s 2 Mercury dimes where the one with a 58+ grade has more obvious wear than the one without the + grade. I really like how both look though, I don’t mind a little wear, it gives them character
Mr_Spud
Is there a possible FB designation with AU coins?
Yes - search eBay for examples.
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Sometimes a flat lower diagonal can just be a weak strike or late die state, just like non split bands.
Wayne
www.waynedriskillminiatures.com