Full strikes: at what grade does there have to be a full strike?

dan1ecu

For dates that are typically weakly struck, can a coin still be given an MS67 or MS68 grade even though the strike is incomplete? Would the weak strike just be considered normal for that particular coin, or would the coin be penalized for it? Do the grading services differ in their interpretation of the ANA standards in this regard?

Thanks,

Dan

MadMonk

Strike is a grading factor. For instance, and from what I understand, A franklin has to be basically full struck to get a 66 or better by PCGS, but they say it doesnt have to be full bell line.

dan1ecu

Hello, MadMonk --

I think I've also seen some MS68 Mercury dimes (or at least MS67) that didn't have full split bands. That's strange, as FBL and FB are an indication of strike.

cladking

Much depends on your definitions and the series. Many coins are very
rarely fully struck in the sense that metal flowed into every part of the
die. If you further add the stipulation that the die had to have every
part of the design fully formed then such coins become even scarcer. Most
coins we call fully struck are really more like 99% struck. This is likely more
true for moderns but likely really applies to all coins. The services will allow
more weakness in coins which are notoriously weak whether it's a specific
date or an entire series.

MadMonk

Exactly! But, they may consider die wear/characteristics.

BillJones

To me an MS-65 has got to be full struck on darn close to it. The exceptions can be pieces like Standing Liberty Quarters, Mercury dimes, and Franklin half dollars which are known to be weak in some areas and have a different classificaitons for the head, bands or bell lines. Short of that, a coin that is normally well struck, but which is not can't rise much above MS-62 or 63 IMO. Just look at the way both services down grade poorly struck Morgan dollars, including the O mint coins, which are known to often come weak.

BigD5

In general, I'd say ms/65. There are some exceptions, that would depend on certain series and mintmarked examples.

dorkkarl

<< <i>For dates that are typically weakly struck, can a coin still be given an MS67 or MS68 grade >>

obviously, ever heard of the 1804 dollar (obvioulsy, it was PR-68, but you get the point)

seriously, the answer for me would be ms-69 would REQUIRE a full strike, but ms-68 & below would not

K S

GDJMSP

<< <i> seriously, the answer for me would be ms-69 would REQUIRE a full strike, but ms-68 & below would not

K S >>




Hmmmm - that's what the grading standards say too - imagine that.