TPG's "FULL _____" designations.
MWallace
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We're all familiar with TPG designations such as "Full Head", "Full Steps", and "Full Bell Lines". (please feel free to also add to this list).
What are some "Full _____" designations that you may look for in a coin that the TPG's don't designate along with the grade?
Here are three that I can think of:
"Full E Pluribus Unum" on the reverse of Bust Halves.
"Full Horn" on the reverse of an Indian Head (Buffalo) Nickel.
"Full Talons" on the Eagle on the reverse of a SBA Dollar.
3
Comments
Full "Liberty" on Indian Cents, Bust Halves, etc.
However, I can see the difference in my logic as the TPG's are using this as a strike characteristic vs me looking at it from a wear standpoint.
Full steps on business strike Lincoln memorials.
I would rather own a Full Shield SLQ than a Full Head. I would rather own a Full Portico Jefferson than Full Steps. The total amount of design space on both of these coins for the Shield and Portico is far greater than the Head and Steps.
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To me, that would go along with the standard grading practice. An AG cent will not have "Liberty" at all (as expected for the grade), whereas an XF cent will have a full "Liberty" (as is expected for the grade).
There is the FB designation for both Mercury and Roosevelt dimes. I agree with you that I would like to see Full Horn for Buffalo Nickels.
One of the lessons i have learned is that all coins do not start out equal. I have also learned that if you pay attention, you can get a lot more bang for your buck. I will look for coins with the most detail all around, not just the point of emphasis; I; horn, head detail, bell lines etc. The odd fact is, I rarely end up paying anything more than perhaps a 10% premium but will occasionally get a coin with far greater detail over all but nobody seems to care.
I would think you could create a Fully Struck designation and it would apply to 90% of all coins. james
With IHC’s, too often the feather tips are not fully struck up & the diamonds aren’t complete. With the former, there’s a couple issues when they’re not supposed to be (1897 S-1 & 1909-S). But, after eye appeal, it’s what I look for first. So, my answer would be “full feather tips” & full (or complete) diamonds.
I’ll recognize these points may only matter to me as a collector of the series; for others, probably not so much.
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The Full Head is the only meaningful designation to me as it is a significant obverse design element that can be flat. The other strike characteristics now used are, IMO, meaningless unless they are shorthand for the overall strike. Including the obverse. If anything, a separate overall strike score might add value in the future. A place for AI perhaps.
Perhaps Full Lincoln Statue. Even on some proofs, the seated stone figure can be lacking in appearance.
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Full Hair Lines On A Morgan
Full Thumb WLH
Full breast on type 1 standing liberty quarters.
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Hair and feathers are looked at on Mercury Dimes. Besides the central horizontal split bands, the vertical and diagonal bands are also looked at. Due to die wear, the Mercury Dime dates can also be weak. As mentioned on SLQs, full shield is just as important, if not more so, as full head.
I have said for more than 10 years that all of these silly designations should be eliminated in favor of just one, FULL STRIKE.
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Full Rays on 1866 and 1867 Shield Nickels.
Full Corn Kernels on the reverse of V Nickels.
Not for a specific series, but I try to look for “full stars” on coins that have them. I hate when some (or all) of the stars are mushy.
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Full talons on eagle on the reverse of SBA Dollars.
Full tail feathers on Washington quarters
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There's a comprehensive article (with pics) on my website by Robert Ezerman and David Golan on Full Talons. smalldollars.com/dollar/add017.html
How about Full Pressure or Full Strike on the 1921 Peace Dollar. They may all be from high relief dies but the striking pressure was lowered and used on a good majority of coins to prevent premature breaking of the dies. Lots of mushy hair details there and the High Relief description on slabs to me is meaningless if full pressure wasn't used.