''FULL STEP''......"FULL BAND'' QUESTIONS???

GQ

I must assume that FS and FB coins are superior strikes.....being first off the dies or being minted under better conditions. Some of my PCGS FS coins still show a somewhat flattened bottom portion of the step. I do not have that many to make a better observation and want to submit some of my raw coins. Is it the "lines" being complete in the steps that make them FS? The same question being asked in FB Mercurys. Will a complete but light or soft "line" still get a FS or FB designation? Also.............does a bag mark or nick on a FS or FB coin keep it out of the category?

Thanks again.........

Gary

DIMEMAN

Gary,

I don't know about the FS nickel, but on the dime to be Full Bands there has to be a complete line with NO
breaks. Bands should have some roundnest, but that varies with graders. And if a hit closes that line, it is not FB.

Jon

JJacks

Just a quick quote from the PCGS book on FS:

"Only the slightest weakness on any step (line) is allowed for this designation"

It is hard to know what "slightest weakness" is however!

JJacks

Fairlaneman

GQ;

Superior Strike. Very interesting Assumption.

You would think this should be the Case but when it Comes to Mercury Dimes it is Not Really true in alot of cases when the Services have given the FB designation to the Dime. Most Notable might be the Dimes of 1925 which Usually have Strong Reverses showing FB but Weak to Very Weak Obverses showing Missing Hair Detail and Legend Details. The 26D is also another Example that Many have Said that if You can find a Example With Both FB and Strong Legend Detail You are Very Lucky. Many of the Weakness Problems are Directly related too the Way the Die's were Prepared at the Mint.

I am Returning a FB 25D to Heritage tomorrow First because the Tone is not to my Personal liking but also, and just Important, the Obverse Strike is Very Weak. IMO it is a MS Coin but Shows Details of a AU Example.

Hope this Helps Some.

Ken

keets

full steps are graded much the same as full bands and full bell lines on franklins in the fact that any contact in the designated area can lose the designation. for the jefferson's, it's rare to find 6 steps, but they give it for 5. sometimes i think the only place you'll find six full steps is on the Monticello itself!!

supercoin

Ditto what Fairlaneman said, and it's not even limited to just the obverse being soft -- I have seen at least one FS Jefferson where the steps were full, but large parts of the rest of the reverse were mush!

Yet such coins, in the right dates, would sell for multiples of an overall better struck coin that missed the magic designation. No figuring this hobby sometimes.

Typetone

This is exactly why I sold my FBL Franklin set two years ago. I thought it was absurd that FBL pieces with otherwise weak strikes would be priced at many times a non-FBL with otherwise stronger strikes. No where is this clearer than in the 53S madness. You can buy a nicely struck 53S in MS66 for a few hundred dollars, while a poorly struck 53S FBL in MS65 would cost thousands. On its face this is absurd, as PCGS is telling you by the grade that the 66 is the better piece, including, most likely, strike. Since I sold, the price of FBL Franklins have dropped in price in the face of an otherwise strong market. Much of the FBL buying was in my view buying plastic with a view towards the extra two registry points.

This is also the reason I have never seriously pursued FB Mercury Dimes or FH SLQs. If I collected either series I would opt for higher grade non-designation pieces when the premium for the designation is high. Instead, I have leaned towards series like Walkers or Lib Nickles with no designations. In each case though I look for the best strikes I can find. Curious, you don't pay that much of a premium for better strikes in those series that don't have a strike designation.

Not as sure about FS Jeff Nickels. Non FS pieces often look terrible around the steps. FS pieces in my view really look alot better. There is a huge difference in look, unlike the difference between a FB Merc, and a non-FB Merc which may just have a nick across the bands.

PCGS could quickly correct the problem by simply giving a well-struck designation to better struck pieces. Instead of focusing on one feature, they should focus on the entire coin. Can you imagine the squeling this would cause? Or just give the designation a 1/2 point premium instead of a two point premium.

Greg S

Mark

Greg:

Do you think that the PCGS registry is a factor leading to higher prices for FB mercs? I have some doubts about the importance of the registry because it seems to me that not that many collectors participate. In Mercury dimes, there are about 50 sets registered. Clearly some of the sets are the absolute best that can be assembled. But others (mine!) are not. I suspect there are hundreds if not thousands of Mercury dime collectors buying MS FB and non-FB coins and so I wonder if the relative handful that have registered their sets have much effect on the prices of Mercs.

Of course, the collectors who do particpate are probably more active than a "normal" collector and so might have a greater influence on prices. Plus the collectors who post on these boards and/or participate in the registry have, of course, superior intelligence, breeding, and appearance!

Mark

GQ

Thanks to everyone for responding to my questions. Reading these responses seems that FS, FB, FH and FBL coins are not always the best strike or better looking coin. I never thought about the obverse or reverse being "flat" while the "full whatever" is present. With all due respect to the forum, registry and people who collect FS, FB, FH and FBL coins (myself included) I think the two point deduction is harsh although that is the rules of the game. Buy the coin not the plastic holds true and enjoy what you are collecting.......

There has to be a zillion people out there with nice sets and coins that are not registered. Bidding is intense for the coins I bid on and I see hundreds of people bid against (and mainly out bid) me but I never see these coins or new coins entered in the registry. Who are they! Mayby they have not found the registry or do not want to enter knowing that it is useless because they don't have a #1 or top set (to bad)....... some day they will find the registry and have as much fun as me.

Keep having fun:

GQ (in my case FS means Full of ....)

GQ

Hey...does FB mean "fish bait"??? OK...OK! I don't want the Ford guy mad at me again..........

Typetone

Mark:

Yes, I do think the registry has some impact. I think taking the bonus down to 1/2 point would bring prices more in line. Of course, the registry is only one factor, but I think an important one.

Greg

GQ

Typetone......I agree......I am somewhat new to the registry but I think the "full" designation is driving up the prices of lower grade coins. This is not a complaint just an observation.

Fairlaneman

ROFLMAO !!!!... FB = Fish Bait..... Good One !!!

Ford Guy is Not MAD but has Tears in His Eyes.

Ken