Merc specialists - Need advice

Blade

I have an opportunity to purchase a Merc dime graded NGC MS67 Star. I have not seen it, and according to the dealer it has over-the-top luster, is mark free and above average strike but is not FB. He "is surprised it did not grade MS68" (of course this would be his view). The coin is white.

I have a couple of general questions. First, the price for an MS67 is about $40. The dealer wants $100 for the 67 Star and I think I can get him down to $80, about 2x regular 67 prices. For reference, 67FB is about $300 and 68 is also about $300. Is $80-$100 a fair price for this coin? Is a coin, say in the top 5% of a grade worth 1/3 of the way up to the next grade?

Also, how important is it that this coin does not have FB? Does this make it uncollectable to many? Given similar $$, would most serious Merc collectors rather have a 66FB than the 67.9 without FB?

Since it is not a big outlay, I am considering getting it because I am assuming a blast white 67 Star Merc is a pretty fine coin. But I want to make sure I am not getting ripped off or buying a coin that would not hold it's premium to other collectors.

I look forward to your thoughts and opinions. (I'm sure I'll get them!)

mbbiker

sounds like a nice coin to me, i really don't care that much about the bands, just because you can have a FSB coin that is not fully struck or you could have a 67 "star" which might have a great strike on 90% of the coin but the bands did't get struck right.

LucyBop

I would have to see the coin in person, if it was a knockout and I loved it, I'd glady fork over the 80 smackers!

TAP444

First what is the date of the dime, if it is a common later date then buy a fb coin
as there are plenty out there, most of the later dates or at least from 37 forward
were saved in rolls and there are still a few obr rolls left. I would place more of a premium
for the star on a fb dime, imho the star on a nfb dime is meaningless and not worth the
premium, okay maybe a 5% premium at best
Tim
THe Poston Collection OF mercury dimes

smprfi

If he has a good return policy I would risk the $80-$100 dollars.I've seen a few star designated coins and they were exceptional.Personally to me it doesn't matter if the coin has a specific designation or not.(FS,FB,FBL)

Baley

generally, whatever the series, when there is a spread like you describe, and the coin truly falls between in my judgement, yes I will pay PQ money for a PQ coin, and the price quoted sounds fair and yes a star is nice and a 67 star is even nicer, and it sounds like a gem coin to be proud of.

as for mercs specifically, the center reverse bands are generally but not exclusively used to measure strike, but if they are not at least somewhat defined, it's very hard to get 68 unless the surfaces are completely mark free AND the luster is perfect AND the coin is well struck everywhere else.

personally I very often prefer MS64 through MS67 in NON -FSB, -FBL- and FH, if the strike is nice enough, and if the price is right. I like to look at the whole coin before zeroing in on the hair over the ear or whatever with a loupe, and the merc in question sounds like a blazer. IMO if you pass you'll be sorry.

Blade

Thanks folks - He does have a good return policy, so the risk is low.

Tim - The date is 1939 - fairly common, hence the reasonably low prices of $40 in 67. FB is less common but still far more plentiful than pre-1936.

TAP444

Also bet you could take some time and find a $40 67 that is just as nice
as the star dime. and late date fb dimes are cheap and everywhere.
I had a dealer at a small show 2 weeks ago try the sell me a bunch of
ngc 66fb dimes from 37-p forward 10% back of sheet (he had just sent in
about 15 original rolls for grading)
Tim

oreville

I agree with Tap444.

If you want to spend the time you could find an older NGC or older or newer PCGS that look just as nice and save yourself $40 in the process and more importantly learn a little bit about the shades of grades that are so subtle.

If it were me, I would not spend the $80. Non FB mercs are harder to sell as collectors generally want FB unless a much rarer date.

Another point to ponder...it is 67 with a STAR yet not fully struck in the center of the reverse, an oxymoron if you ever heard of one????????????

au58

If you look, you should be able to find a 1939 mercury dime that is virtually unimproveable for about $50. I don't know what the assigned grade would be, but if you put it next to the one in the 67 slab you would be hard pressed to rationalize the difference in price.

rainbowroosie

Does the coin have color?? If so, it is dirt cheap.

Blade

I bought it! The coin is blast white and supposed to be prestine surfaces. I got it for $65. How's that for negotiating? This isn't that much over a regular 67, certainly close enough to get it in hand and get a look at it.

This dealer buys hundreds of raw rolls and sends in the best coins. He sells them cheap since he does volume. He has not gotten a star on a white coin before, so he thought it was really special and priced it at $100 without having any idea what the reference price was. I don't know if it's a good deal or not, but if it really is a MS67.9, then it seems pretty good compared to $300 for an MS68. Heck, I don't think I could tell the difference anyway.