Merc 1916-D FB or NSB Query

marcmoish

If YOU were to purchase a 1916-D Merc dime (in MS grades) would you go for a FULL BAND example or NON FB designation knowing FB is so much more money but equally expensive either way?




Marc

dan1ecu

I personally wouldn't worry about the full bands - I think it's over rated. As with Franklins, I hardly ever look at the reverse anyway. Others might care a little more about it, though...

Dan

airplanenut

<< <i> As with Franklins, I hardly ever look at the reverse anyway. >>

In that case, just get a 1916-P

Cladiator

Both are intensly expensive so if you're gonna spend that kind of money might as well get the best ya can...I'd go for the FB.

tradedollarnut

Non FB. I can't see paying a premium for something I can barely see. If it means something to you, try to find a 90% band for not much extra.

JMOORE

<< <i>In that case, just get a 1916-P >>

coppercoins

Is it not true that the dimes of that era (early Mercury dimes) commonly come FB in the MS grades? Just asking...I have a 16P that's FB and I didn't get it looking for it...it just came that way.

wingedliberty

" 16D dimes are nearly always well struck, with MANY mint states examples qualifying for full band status." ... The Complete Guide to Mercury Dimes, by David Lange (senior grader at NGC).

Placid

If I had a choice between a 65 and a 65fb I would pick the 65fb if the price does not matter.
If I had a choice between a 65fb and a 66 I would pick the 66.

DeepCoin

Non FB would be my choice, but then my registry set is 0% full bands. It is one way for the small time collector to acquire some choice coins that otherwise would be unobtainable due to price.

Fairlaneman

More than likely a person would probably find a FB example before a non FB example was found. The PCGS population for MS60 and above no band coins is 33 withh 11 of those being MS62 and another 11 being MS63. The population for FB coins is 263 with all grades represented fairly well.

I'm guessing the non FB examples for the most part are probably struck nicely and would be a decent choice if found.

Ken

jdimmick

I would rather have a full band vs a non FB, but wouldnt pay a "big" premium for the FB designation on a mintstate 16-d, becuase its not that difficult to find, just expensive.

I have a PCGS-55 that has Full bands, and have to admit having it be a FB is kinda nice. However, PCGS only designates FB at 58 and higher. I have thought about sending it in for regrade and catching a 58 FB, since so many people have commented that it looks 58.
But dont plan on selling it, so I could care less what the holder says.

marcmoish

I have to agree with the comments of those supporting a NON FB example. I was thinking down those lines too. A nice FB example can be found on almost any given week - albeit for a price. The fact that this date is nicely struck, (even non FB designation are usally nice examples!), and this date is so immensly popular AND available just does not justify such a steep difference in price.
Although to complete a registry set it would be nice I can see only the well heeled, where literally money is no object, able to just pick up a FB example.
I just had this horrible thought that I may never be able to complete my set "corrrectly" due to the fact that I too see no true reason or monetary justification to pay for a full band example.
Thanks all for sharing!

Marc

BillJones

The quality of the coin comes WAY AHEAD of the full ban designation for me. Some of this full ban, full bell line, and full step business can become a gimmick. The only one that really floats my boat is the full head on Standing Liberty quarters. Sadly a lot of coins that get a full head on the holder are not really full head coins.

Once I wrote a satirical article about crooked coin dealers who were selling Ike dollars "with full split continents" with extra points for “Panama Canal locks.” Darn if I didn’t see an ad for something like that in a trade publication a few years later.