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My new Merc purchase, full bands or no?

coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,290 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
So let's play guess the grade and does this look FB to you or not.

image
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Chris
My Lincoln Registry
My Collection of Old Holders

Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.

Comments

  • WhiteLighninWhiteLighnin Posts: 883 ✭
    Holy cow!!! That's beautiful coinbuf!!!! If that ain't FB i don't think there is one!!!!!

    Congrats on a great coin!!!!!
  • 21Walker21Walker Posts: 1,762 ✭✭✭
    I'd have to go with yes although you're missing part of the top middle band.............Rick
    If don't look like UNC, it probrably isn't UNC.....U.S. Coast Guard. Chief Petty Officer (Retired) (1970-1990)

    EBAY Items
    http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZrlamir
  • kieferscoinskieferscoins Posts: 10,017 ✭
    MS 65FB.

    Cameron Kiefer
  • tmot99tmot99 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭
    I'm no Merc expert, but I'm guessing 66FB or 67FB. The only factor that would prevent FB designation is the missing spot on the upper middle band.

    Very nice looking coin.
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,530 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks FB to me, from what little experience I have.

    Awesome closeup shots, there.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,290 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for all the comments guysimage.

    <<I'd have to go with yes although you're missing part of the top middle band.............Rick>>

    I'm pretty sure that is part of the design, I've never seen a merc where that middle band has extended over.

    <<Awesome closeup shots, there.>>

    Thanks LM!

    Chris
    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • BubbleheadBubblehead Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭
    image

    It's definately FB. That little spot, on the middle of the top band, is readily apparent on most all of them.

    On a good day, MS65, as well...
  • CarlWohlforthCarlWohlforth Posts: 11,074 ✭
    FB? Yes. That coin is almost fully struck. People focus on the bands which are hard to strike up. Most coins that have full bands display some weakness of strike in the lettering around the rim. That is one way you can differentiate a proof from a MS coin: look at the letters. The tops of the letters right by the rims are a bit flat. It is very hard to find a truely full struck Merc unless it is proof, even proofs are often not fully struck!
    Carl's Coins website w/ links to Carl's auctions
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    nice FB merc.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 6,918 ✭✭✭✭✭
    FB ... yes

    grade ... 64+

    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • RickMilauskasRickMilauskas Posts: 1,985 ✭✭✭
    MS 65 FSB
  • LincolnCentManLincolnCentMan Posts: 5,347 ✭✭✭✭
    64FB

    David
    Lincolncentman Toned Lincolns
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,290 ✭✭✭✭✭
    <<FB? Yes. That coin is almost fully struck. People focus on the bands which are hard to strike up. Most coins that have full bands display some weakness of strike in the lettering around the rim. That is one way you can differentiate a proof from a MS coin: look at the letters. The tops of the letters right by the rims are a bit flat. It is very hard to find a truely full struck Merc unless it is proof, even proofs are often not fully struck!>>

    Excelent info, thanks Carl.

    Ok now for the unveiling. This is in an NNC MS66FB, and I also agree that it is FB. As for the grade well I've compaired it to my PCGS MS66 Merc and it's every bit as nice. One drawback to my pics is my camera is not that great and close-ups turn out grainy. The luster is booming and while I do'nt know if it would cross at 66, I'm pretty sure it would go 65. Anyway a nice coin for $28.

    I wanted to post this because as many are aware ebay has been overrun lately with NNC slabs. I've bought a Morgan, Lincoln, and this Merc to see what I thought of their grading. IMO the Morgan is right on, this Merc is close, but the Lincoln is well over graded. Just my two cents.

    Chris

    Edited to add: I'm not endorsing NNC, three coins is just a very small sampling. Has anyone else looked at this company?, What were your thoughts.
    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭


    << <i>So let's play guess the grade and does this look FB to you or not. imageimageimageimageimage Chris >>



    Looks like full bands to me. Congrats on your find!image
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 10/8/2023 - Fairfield, IL, 11/5/2023 - Urbana, IL., 12/3/2023 - Mattoon, IL.
  • dorancoinsdorancoins Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭
    My guess - MS64
    DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 10/8/2023 - Fairfield, IL, 11/5/2023 - Urbana, IL., 12/3/2023 - Mattoon, IL.
  • mercurydimeguymercurydimeguy Posts: 4,625 ✭✭✭✭

    The fasces are too distracting, and as a result PCGS will grade this 64FB.

    On a day with cake and ice cream -- a 65FB image
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,781 ✭✭✭✭
    FULL BANDS ALL THE WAY!

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,423 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Its a full band coin all the way. The middle band is the only one that counts to get the designation and there is no problem with it.

    Grade wise it looks like there are some small hits on her cheek plus what has already been pointed out on the fasces. If the hits are ont the cheek it is MS64 with a possible MS65 on a good day. No hits on the cheek will bump it up one grade.

    Nice overall strike as Carl pointed out. The only real weak area I see is the verticle edge on the axe head. Its hard to find Mercs with this real sharp.

    Ken
  • magikbillymagikbilly Posts: 6,780 ✭


    << <i>The middle band is the only one that counts to get the designation.... >>



    Is this true?

    Billy
  • rainbowroosierainbowroosie Posts: 4,874 ✭✭✭✭
    65FB...strong FB
    "You keep your 1804 dollar and 1822 half eagle -- give me rainbow roosies in MS68."
    rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
  • LeeGLeeG Posts: 12,162 ✭
    image Nice coin, 65 FB and heres the defination of FB from the PCGS Website:

    Full Bands
    Term applied to Mercury (Winged Liberty Head) dimes when the central band is fully separated (FB). There can be no disturbance of the separation. Also applicable to Roosevelt dimes that display full separation in both the upper and lower pair of crossbands on the torch.

  • fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    Wow. Great strike on that coin. No question about the full bands. It could go 66fb, but don't count on it. They seem to be very tough on Mercury Dimes (and yes I have a bias toward Mercs).

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,290 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Many thanks to fcloud, fairlaneman and others for the kind comments on this new additon. It's great to have the thoughts from you merc specialists on the possible grade if crossed. I'm thinking of sending this one and the Morgan I bought in NNC holders to see how PCGS would grade them in a month or so.

    Regards
    Chris
    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • marcmoishmarcmoish Posts: 6,278 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The middle band is the only one that counts to get the designation.... >>

    yes Billy , that is correct - you'll typically find the upper and lower bands fully split regardless especially if the center bands are split etc.


    looks 64FB to me!! Nice pics BTW!!



    Marc

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