when did they start designating full steps, full bell, etc?

coindaughter

?? Were the designations in place before encapsulating got started?

FC57Coins

Hi Karen:

I don't know about the other coins, but I seem to recall that PCGS and NGC started using FBL around 1987. The designation had been used by collectors since the late 70's however

mintluster

Mid to late 80's

foodude

My recollection is that PCGS started using the FBL designation in '97 or so.

keets

a quick look in a July 1997 PCGS pop report shows that they had already started using FH to designate Full Head on Standing Liberty Quarters and FB on Winged Liberty Dimes for Full Bands. there still weren't designations for Full Steps on Jefferson Nickels or Full Bell lines on Franklin Half-Dollars. that's the earliest hard copy report i have.

al h.

RGL

That sounds like True Lies, Al.

keets

hey Randy

get back to work, i think i hear the boss comin' down the hall!!

al h.

RGL

I have reached this point in the year having used all of three days of my four-plus weeks of vacation. Since it is use it or lose it where I work, I am off for the next two weeks, and will be heading west next week for a little R&R with the missus...

foodude

a quick look in a July 1997 PCGS pop report shows that they had already started using FH to designate Full Head on Standing Liberty Quarters and FB on Winged Liberty Dimes for Full Bands. there still weren't designations for Full Steps on Jefferson Nickels or Full Bell lines on Franklin Half-Dollars. that's the earliest hard copy report i have.

I'll check some of my earlier POP reports as well. I beielve the FBs on mercs may even go back to the rattlers- '86 to about August '89. Another source to check are old auction catalogs and coin listings (e.g., old Heritage and B&M listings).

jom

I'm fairly certain FB and FH was designated when PCGS started. FBL and FS are rather recent. I think FBL came first (98ish) and FS I'm not sure about but it was after the FBL's.

jom

Conder101

I don't know when the services started using it but the Full Step Nickel club and the FS designation goes back 25 to 30 years, well before the slabbing services.

Woodwind

I'm sure most of these designations were around before encapsulating/grading services came on the scene in the 1980's. From what I see, these designations became widely known and accepted at different points in time.

I looked at my 1974 Red Book. The only series which explain that more sharply struck specimens command higher prices are the Standing Liberty Quarter, Walking Liberty Halves, and Franklin Halves. Only the SL Quarter mentions a specific strike element with the full head while the halves simply indicate that sharply struck specimens command higher prices. Interestingly, in the 1974 edition, nothing is mentioned regarding full steps, full bands, and proof-like for Morgan Dollars, however there is a note on them in the 1993 book.

So now we'll see if "full torch" on Roosevelt Dimes and "full hand" on Walkers will catch on.

foodude

The use of FB, FH, FBL, FS, etc. has been used by collectors and dealers for a long time, including before PCGS started grading coins in '86.; PCGS (ditto for NGC) did not, however, designate all of these charateristic from Day 1. I can recall FBs in "rattlers" (i.e., the first type of holder used by PCGS from '86 to about August '89). I do not recall if they were using FH at that time our not, but I do recall seeing them in at least '90 or '91. As I indicated in an earlier post, FBLs were not designated from Day 1 by PCGS (ditto for NGC). My recollection is that they began noting this designation in '97.

cladking

I can remember the old geezers in the coin shops talking about the parts
of coins that are hard to find with full strike back in the early '60's. They
mentioned several critical areas on several coins but FS on Jeffs is the one
I remember most vividly.