Mercury Bands

ShaunZ

I was just wondering about the bands on Mercury Dimes. If theyre not complete, can they still be in Mint State? And, what are they?

Placid

Yes. The arey the bands on the reverse that cross the long thingy.

Some pics in this thread.

JrGMan2004

The Full Bands designation is simply a strike designator. A coin can still be MS with out full bands. But, circulated coins don't get the Full Bands designation at all. The bands are the horizontal bands that go accross the fasces. There's a set at the top, the bottom, and the middle. It's the one on the middle that you look for to be fully split and rounded. Check out the pictures below.

Non FB:


FB: (sorry, not a close-up, but you can still see the split and rounded bands...)

BurritoGrande

Most MS Mercs probably don't have full bands. The lack of full bands does not indicate wear.

JrGMan2004

Updated my post with a little more information