How good is FDC?

agraded

The term FDC when applied to Proof issues is often overused, but have you ever thought about what FDC should equate to in terms of a numerical grade. By some definations FDC simply means "as struck" but very few, if any, 50/100 year old Proof coins can be accurately described "as struck." Some degree of cleaning/hairlining and/or light contact marks takes a coin out of the Fleur de Coin classification...but where is it reasonable to draw the line for a coin that is, say, 50+ years old (or older). In my opinion, attractive toning doesn't affect the issue but some may feel differently. What say you darksiders...

Bob

coinkat

FDC is term that implies that the coin is Proof and of high quality. Toning is okay from my perspective, hairlines are far more problematic and some imperfection in the field or else where is okay as long as it is not too distracting

GDJMSP

It has long been my understanding that the term FDC has little if anything to do with the coin being Proof. It is a description of the condition of the coin - a grade - nothing more. It can and does apply to Proof and mint state coins. It is the highest grade used under European standards and in no way implies a grade of MS or PF70 as many seem to believe. I will add that it dpends which country you are in as to how FDC is used if used at all. The term originated in France and there it is used only for MS coins. For Proof coins the French use FB - flan bruni.

I have seen many of the most respected names in European numismatics grade coins as FDC that here in the US would grade MS65. I have seen it used for coins that would grade lower and coins that would grade higher. But for the most part it is reserved by many to apply to gem quality coins only.

Sylvestius

Generally it's a term i'm very used to hearing but i never use it;

Onmly reason why i don't use it is because the coins i collect are never FDC. Hammered coins as FDC ain't common although not impossible, thinking gold here.


Generally it means Gem BU. Full lustre, no marks, prooflike appearance (or a proof), crisp and sharp.

agraded

As pointed out, FDC is often used to describe very choice uncirculated non-proof coins and it is a proper use of the term. I've seen at least two references listing the definition to mean uncirculated or "as struck" so can be applied to either Proof or non-Proof issues. That said, it is the use of the term FDC in describing Proof coins that may be the most often misused.

My own rough interpretation (as it relates to English Proof issues) is that FDC is about the finest condition normally available for the issue. For modern issues that may be PF 68 or 69, whereas for some very early gold and silver Proof issues, a coin that is equivalent to PF 63 may be the best that turns up and could be considered FDC. So to have some hope of properly judging if a coin is worthy of FDC takes some knowledge of and experience with that particular issue.

I've both received and viewed raw Proof coins (Ebay) with quite obvious significant defects described as FDC and it started me thinking, what do other collectors envision when a Proof coin is described as FDC. Maybe worse is the use of aFDC which also means quite different things to different people.

Bob

Askari

<< <i>My own rough interpretation (as it relates to English Proof issues) is that FDC is about the finest condition normally available for the issue. For modern issues that may be PF 68 or 69, whereas for some very early gold and silver Proof issues, a coin that is equivalent to PF 63 may be the best that turns up and could be considered FDC. So to have some hope of properly judging if a coin is worthy of FDC takes some knowledge of and experience with that particular issue. >>

I think Bob has the best description. FDC is also used with ancient coins that are "as struck," so it makes sense that FDC signifies "as good as it gets."