OK, one of the designations we run into is FSB or Full Split Bands on Mercury dimes. My understanding is that this is a measure of strike. I took these photos under a microscope by just holding the camera to the eyepiece, so, please be kind. In the first two photos the band appears to me to be full split, although there is a ding on it. This coin was graded PCGS MS66 but without a full band designation. Do you agree with them or not? Would there be any reason to have it re-graded? The next three are just of a Jefferson nickel I pulled out of change. Would this be a full step?
IMO, the dings destroy the FSB on the dime. IMO, the nickel is most likely 6 full steps (bottom step has a ding), but definitely 5 full steps.
That's what I thought also, but since the FSB designation is for strike, I wasn't sure the bag mark, or whatever it is, would affect that.
The PCGS criteria for FB states that the central bands must be clear, distinct, and unbroken by contact marks. That's why it didn't make it. http://www.pcgs.com/News/Mercury-Dimes-With-Full-Bands
Thanks. How about the 5 or 6 steps nickels? The one I included was just pulled out of my pocket, worth saving?
Kinda depends on the rest of the coin. Also date and mint mark. As for if it is FS or not, I'd say yes. The hit that is on one of the steps is nor big enough to break that step or to bridge to another step, so in effect the hit has no effect. It would be a 6 full step coin. edit - by contrast the dime, that hit is big enough that it breaks the band and intrudes into the gap between the bands, thus breaking the bands. That's why it is not an FB coin.
I saw that in you post above I meant trying for a re-grade to get the split band. The newer nickel has to get a MS68FS if it's going to pay it's way I think it has too many hits for that.
