FB?

nalamolly5 · October 17, 2003 9:35AM

if you have a higher grade roosevelt, say a ms68, wouldn't you expect that it should automically be FB? a 68 should be a superior strike.........your thoughts

jonesy · October 17, 2003 9:40AM

no.

onlyroosies · October 17, 2003 11:08AM

I've made 4 PCGS MS68 Silver Roosies that are not FB. Not even close....Take a look

CarlWohlforth · October 18, 2003 12:02AM

From what I've read about PCGS's grading standard I would expect any 69 to be fully struck. For 69 "the strike will be extremely sharp showing %99+ of detail" while a 68 is simply "exceptionally sharp." Still given what PCGS says above (from "Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection") I would have expected that exceptionally sharp would mean full bands. I guess not.

MadMonk · October 18, 2003 12:08AM

onlyroosies,
FB or not, those are gorgeous coins. I really don't like some of these designations. It seems to be setting collectors up to lose money if they buy what they like. I guess that's the name of the game, buy rarity. But hey, I guess I won't gain as much, or possibly lose a little, but I'll enjoy my collection a hell of a lot more.

wingedliberty · October 18, 2003 2:45AM

As with any superlative such as FB, FH, FBL, FS, , compensating factors such as luster, eye appeal, and ultra clean fields and lack of contact, can many times push a coin into a much loftier grade without necessarily having full bands, etc.
A perfect example would be a 1945 Merc. I have two MS67 examples. One PCGS and one NGC. Both have exceptional eye appeal, luster, and are mark free with only a few exceedingly minor specks. Since this date is notorious for flat bands and weak fasces, it is a perfect example of how a high grade can be achieved with compensating factors but not necessarily the strike related attribute at the high point of the relief.
There are numerous examples with other series such as 1964D Jeffersons with high grade but without full steps and similarly with Franklins and SLQ quarters.

Enjoy the hobby.

wingedliberty · October 18, 2003 2:46AM

I also have a 1939 Merc. PCGS-MS68. Exceptionally clean and sharp, but the bands are about 90% split.

LAWMAN · October 18, 2003 3:00AM

I have a 45-S Merc NGC MS 68 with unreal toning, but not FB, not even close. It's one of those hoard Mercs.

sinin1 · October 18, 2003 3:00AM

I thought FB was a result of 2 separate conditions

1) pressure of strike (thickness of planchett?)

2) age of die

that being the case - many possibilities could occur

-> early die, weak strike still giving FB
-> late die, strong strike and no FB

does this jive with other ideas?

wingedliberty · October 18, 2003 3:12AM

sinin1:
Two other important factors:
1.The quality of the die.
2. The number of dies employed on a date/mm.

XpipedreamR · October 18, 2003 3:38AM

onlyroosies' dimes are really sharp!

cladking · October 18, 2003 9:53AM

<< <i>

...does this jive with other ideas? >>

In addition to these and Wingedliberty's observation it should be noted that other
considerations enter into both individual dies and individual strikes: Dies can be new
and perfect but aligned so as to not fully form part of the design, especially those near
the rims. Also strike speed and pressure can vary under some conditions and temper-
ature and other normally extraneous factors can affect strike quality.

A small difference in planchet thickness or upsetting can make a large difference in strike
characteristics.

onlyroosies · October 18, 2003 10:46AM

The three dimes I posted are spectacular. I sold all three to a board member who
appreciates colorful coins....The price I received was about 1/3 - 1/4 of what they
would have sold for before the FB designation existed. They would be worth many
times what I received if they were full bands. Here's another one that is not full bands
graded by NGC. I still own this coin.....

nalamolly5 · October 18, 2003 10:57AM

thanks for all the great pics and comments, this is definitely the best place to come for information and knowledge from experienced collectors.

FB?

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