Grading Raw Mercs

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gashmios
gashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
edited February 21, 2026 7:57PM in U.S. Coin Forum

This came from a dealer as an after thought of a larger trade. It thought it a pretty coin

Coin A

Coin B



So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998

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  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 21, 2026 7:37PM
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    I think all Mercury dimes are pretty. That one looks AU55ish to me, maybe a 58

    Mr_Spud

  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Two different coins, but yeah, like @Mr_Spud I think all Merc's are pretty.

    Both look high AU


    “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
  • gashmios
    gashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
    edited February 21, 2026 7:57PM
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    @Mr_Spud said:
    I think all Mercury dimes are pretty. That one looks AU55ish to me, maybe a 58

    The Bottom one looks so close to full band. I wouldn't make it FB, but I have seen graded versions with FB designation just like it.

    Where do you see the wear? Can you show me?

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • gashmios
    gashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
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    I mean this one

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 21, 2026 7:59PM
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    In that pic of the reverse, the most noticable wear

    Is on the lower diagonal part, I added an arrow pointing where I mean

    Here’s a picture showing where to look for wear

    Mr_Spud

  • gashmios
    gashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
    edited February 21, 2026 8:03PM
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    The lower Diagonal band

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Trace wear and friction with disturbed (molested?) luster. Especially the second coin. The first COULD grade low Unc, but I doubt it at our hosts.

    Sometimes trace wear is the hardest to differentiate for newer folks to the top-tier grading game. It's why "sliders" survived so long being sold as Unc's.

    My 2c ... YMMV


    “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
  • gashmios
    gashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
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    @pursuitofliberty said:
    Trace wear and friction with disturbed (molested?) luster. Especially the second coin. The first COULD grade low Unc, but I doubt it at our hosts.

    Sometimes trace wear is the hardest to differentiate for newer folks to the top-tier grading game. It's why "sliders" survived so long being sold as Unc's.

    My 2c ... YMMV

    I've seen many sliders in MS slabs over the years, especially Morgans. It is very hard to see in Merc because they are so small, and it is highly theoretical the difference between marks due to mint handling and storage in draws, and that which happens from circulating coins. Especially in soft silver.

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I collect mainly 58s, here’s 2 Mercury dimes where the one with a 58+ grade has more obvious wear than the one without the + grade. I really like how both look though, I don’t mind a little wear, it gives them character

    Mr_Spud

  • gashmios
    gashmios Posts: 504 ✭✭✭
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    Is there a possible FB designation with AU coins?

    So many immigrant groups have swept through our town that Brooklyn, like Atlantis, reaches mythological proportions in the mind of the world - RI Safir 1998
  • Tramp
    Tramp Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 22, 2026 2:44PM
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    Yes - search eBay for examples.

    USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maint. Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
    ✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
    ✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
    ✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
    ✓ Matte Proof Toned Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1916)

  • remumc
    remumc Posts: 1,284 ✭✭✭
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    Sometimes a flat lower diagonal can just be a weak strike or late die state, just like non split bands.

    Regards,

    Wayne

    www.waynedriskillminiatures.com

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