If This is "Full Bands"...

BustHalfBrian

Then I got robbed on all of the ones I've submitted over the last few years

Bob1951

Link is not working

Bochiman

Originally posted by: Bob1951

Link is not working

Because he pasted the full URL, including the http:// without deleting the default https:// that the system puts in there.



You can click it, let it error, then remove the http://https:// portion and your browser will go there.



Or, just Click this one which is "fixed"

BustHalfBrian

Originally posted by: Bochiman

Originally posted by: Bob1951
Link is not working

Because he pasted the full URL, including the http:// without deleting the default https:// that the system puts in there.

You can click it, let it error, then remove the http://https:// portion and your browser will go there.

Or, just Click this one which is "fixed"

No, I deleted the first https:// and it still does not work.

BTW, your link doesn't work for me either.

Bochiman

Originally posted by: BustHalfBrian

Originally posted by: Bochiman

Originally posted by: Bob1951

Link is not working

Because he pasted the full URL, including the http:// without deleting the default https:// that the system puts in there.



You can click it, let it error, then remove the http://https:// portion and your browser will go there.



Or, just https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-2LG5R">Click this one which is "fixed"

No, I deleted the first https:// and it still does not work.



BTW, your link doesn't work for me either.

Try mine now. It works. The software is putting the http:// back in even if you delete it when you paste.



I just verified.





Just go back to your OP and edit the link and delete one of the http(s):// and it will work.

Bochiman

btw....without seeing it in hand, to see if the lighting is playing funky with the middle band, I can understand your consternation, as NGC is supposed to consider that middle band.

Bob1951

Originally posted by: Bochiman

btw....without seeing it in hand, to see if the lighting is playing funky with the middle band, I can understand your consternation, as NGC is supposed to consider that middle band.

I agree with this assessment. The coin needs to be seen in hand.

oih82w8

Lighting would be key especially on the center bands. The imager should know this and placed particular emphasis on this coin date/mm.



Does not look like from the posted images and should not garner a respectable bid for such a lofty grade.

LeeBone

A lot of times the FB Mercs need to be seen in hand as pics don`t always capture the right angle to show them.

mercurydimeguy

You can't tell FB Mercs from photos, don't waste your time.



But I would say from having handled a lot of 1945-P FB Mercs, usually there is a reason why they are in a certain branded slab.

Wabbit2313

From that image, no way it is FB.

keyman64

It does not look to be FB from the photos but it might be. I have owned FB Mercs, photographed them and noticed the bands did not look split in the photos and sometimes I have gone back to photograph the coin again, adjusted the light setup ever so slightly and re-shot the reverse image. Since those are the only images you have to work with, you would need to see it in hand so that you could make a clear determination.

Wabbit2313

Add to the fact that it is supposed to be worth 23K, no way I would buy that thing as a FB.

brg5658

Looks like a photo lighting problem to me. You can't tell anything from that photo.



EDIT TO ADD: That being said the "premium" difference between a 1945 FB vs. no-FB is ridiculous.



The PCGS price guide lists an MS67 as $65, and an MS67FB at $47,500. Is a micro-graded, very small area of the coin's detail really logically worth 73,000% more than a non-FB example?



The arbitrary designations that have crept into USA collecting (largely to separate the "men" from the "boys" for the registry sets) are just silly. Full bands, full head, full bell lines, full steps...c'mon. Strike is already a component of the numerical grade, I don't see any reason to create these micro-area designations other than marketing, hype, resubmissions, etc., etc.



Just my opinions.

messydesk

Doesn't quite look FB, so I compared with the pictures on CoinFacts, which are of a 65FB, 66FB, and 67FB. Of those three, the 65 and 67 are much stronger than the coin being auctioned. The 66 is the weakest of the three, but I can still make out the center split band. From the picture, I have to imagine the band on the auction lot. Perhaps this coin should have been called MS66* instead of FB, because of its uncharacteristically strong, but seemingly not full, strike.

Broadstruck

Yeah when photographing TPG attributed FSB's unless a monster struck full two bread loafs you need to rotate the reverse until the light shines right through the bands. Shot straight on a FB Merc at times will look less then virtually split.

keets

given that we are judging a picture with the light reflecting at the suspected band I would say it looks OK. given the scarcity of the date in Full Bands I would defer to NGC.

MonsterCoinz

Originally posted by: brg5658

Looks like a photo lighting problem to me. You can't tell anything from that photo.



EDIT TO ADD: That being said the "premium" difference between a 1945 FB vs. no-FB is ridiculous.



The PCGS price guide lists an MS67 as $65, and an MS67FB at $47,500. Is a micro-graded, very small area of the coin's detail really logically worth 73,000% more than a non-FB example?



The arbitrary designations that have crept into USA collecting (largely to separate the "men" from the "boys" for the registry sets) are just silly. Full bands, full head, full bell lines, full steps...c'mon. Strike is already a component of the numerical grade, I don't see any reason to create these micro-area designations other than marketing, hype, resubmissions, etc., etc.



Just my opinions.

Couldn't have said it any better.

LindeDad

There is a reason why many serious collectors have given up that hunt.

Wabbit2313

Since most of us are not at every auction live, we can only buy based on the image. I would never buy that coin as FB based on that image. If I need to hold it just right, under sunshine, using a microscope, to see the split, NO WAY I would buy it anyway!

ChrisH821

NGC also has pictures here. They are also surprisingly bad as bands are washed out by the light.

leothelyon

One needs to remember, these grading companies only take a few seconds to make a determination on grades and designations that we might spend hours trying to clarify. Until you get it in hand that's the only way to know unless the pictures are more clear. Personally, I hate having to mail coins back so accurate photography is very important.


Leo

DollarAfterDollar

NGC is much stricter than our host on FB and FBL designations. I doubt that on an important coin like this they would provide that FB designation if the coin didn't deserve it. I'm putting my money on poor lighting/photography.

leothelyon

Originally posted by: brg5658
Looks like a photo lighting problem to me. You can't tell anything from that photo.

EDIT TO ADD: That being said the "premium" difference between a 1945 FB vs. no-FB is ridiculous.

The PCGS price guide lists an MS67 as $65, and an MS67FB at $47,500. Is a micro-graded, very small area of the coin's detail really logically worth 73,000% more than a non-FB example?

The arbitrary designations that have crept into USA collecting (largely to separate the "men" from the "boys" for the registry sets) are just silly. Full bands, full head, full bell lines, full steps...c'mon. Strike is already a component of the numerical grade, I don't see any reason to create these micro-area designations other than marketing, hype, resubmissions, etc., etc.

Just my opinions.

There must be a logical explanation........but won't espound on. I think it has something to do with the, "hot dang" effect.


Leo

johnny9434

Originally posted by: Wabbit2313

From that image, no way it is FB.

ill agree with that. again, id like to see it in hand first before making full judgement.

keets

Since most of us are not at every auction live, we can only buy based on the image.



this is a good point and the follow-up should logically be --- If you are going to spend close to $50k on a coin it only makes sense to travel to the auction and view it in-hand. at the absolute least a trusted dealer should be a representative to view the coin.



these grading companies only take a few seconds to make a determination on grades and designations

I think the graders have an understanding that this is a difficult date/mm to find Full Bands in higher grades, they understand the strike issues better than we do.



The arbitrary designations that have crept into USA collecting

I believe the "Merc-a-teers" have been collecting these with Full Bands for a long time, just as diehard Jefferson Nickel collectors have sought Full Step coins for more than 50 years. all of these designations, whether we like them or not, tend to be a pretty good indicator of full strike.

TwoSides2aCoin

My money is on the hobby. Where that's going is anyone's guess.

Wabbit2313

If you are going to spend close to $50k on a coin it only makes sense to travel to the auction and view it in-hand.

There is no chance that coin goes anywhere near 50K. If it gets 10K, I will be shocked.

Wabbit2313

Here is the last PCGS MS66 FB sold at Heritage. That IS FB.

Rollerman

I have a MS67 1945 Mercury without the split band designation that seems to show split bands better than this specimen. It must be the light in the photograph, don't think NGC would make that kind of error on a potentially very high dollar coin.
Pete

fc

Originally posted by: Wabbit2313

I would never buy that coin as FB based on that image. If I need to hold it just right, under sunshine, using a microscope, to see the split, NO WAY I would buy it anyway!

I have to agree with that. If an average picture cannot reliably capture FBs I do not think I would be interested in it either. Especially as I get older and my vision declines. I don't think people who do like it are wrong but I personally would not be interested in buying that coin at what the current market values it at and I cannot easily see what I am paying for without a loupe in above average lighting.