Think this old NGC hologram slab Merc could go FB?

JRocco

I have this old NGC hologram slab. I'm not sure if these were before the days NGC labeled FB on Mercs. Do you think this one has a shot at FB? The price difference is great on this one.

p8nt

It's a liner.

Russ

I've seen less well-defined bands in FB holders.

Russ, NCNE

Fairlaneman

Nice Merc.

NGC did give the FB designation with that series of slab. For a 34D if you are not concerned with keeping the coin in that slab then give PCGS a shot. I doubt if NGC would FB the coin.

Ken

roadrunner

That would not have full banded back in the 1990 era as things were far stricter. It had to be fully split and somewhat deep to be FB. Today, just the lightest of separation seems to make full band, to the point of stupidity imo.

Yes, I think this one has enough separation to go FB. May not go on the first try but be persistent. Russ is correct in that many out there have far less detail than yours. While faint in the very center it is split but with no depth. I've seem many that aren't even split in the very center and they still got FSB. I'd call yours a no-brainer in today's lax FSB world. Personally I would not buy anything but a deeply split specimen but try to find them on all but common dates.

roadrunner

robertpr

I think it will at PCGS. I believe NGC considers all three sets of bands (I could be wrong) and the top set looks weak. I believe PCGS looks only at the middle set.