Can AU coins receive strike designations? Full Steps, Full Bands, Full Head, etc...

Do strike designations apply to circulated coins? If so what is the lowest grade that has the possibility to receive a designation? AU-58? AU-55? Of course, at a certain point the steps, bands or head is flat because of wear. I want to say I've seen an AU-58 Full Head Standing Liberty Quarter.

 

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Can't speak for all TPGs, but I know PCGS has some specific rules around designations -

https://www.pcgs.com/grades

For example:
- PCGS may designate 1918/7 Quarters as Full Head in grades of XF40 and higher
- Franklin Half Dollars: MS60 or better.
- Jefferson Nickels: MS60 or better
- PCGS may designate [FB] in grades of 60 and higher.

Based on this, sounds like SLQ is the only one. I've personally seen an AU58FH at a show.

 

Yes, absolutely. PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and CAC all put strike designations on AU coins of all series - Mercs, SLQs, Jeffersons, Franklins. Quick search of Heritage shows hundreds: https://coins.ha.com/c/search/resul...&page=200~1&ic4=Refine-CoinDesignation-102615

You probably don't seem terribly often because for most coins of those series, they need to be high grade to make it worth submitting. Unless it is a key date or a strike rarity, people aren't going to usually submit them.

Fun Fact - they will designate Prooflike on AU coins as well. The mirrors start to get really bad on anything circulated, but I've seen it.

 

I've never seen AU-FB before -- awesome! I love that this search directly contradicts what's on the PCGS website. And judging by some of the newer holders/certs, it doesn't seem like they've changed their policy -- meaning, there are newer coins and certs with AU-FB. It really seems like their designations page needs an update.

 

The old rule was that full steps (Jeff nickels) was only to be designated on MS coins. Rare that a circulated coin would have any steps, and proof coins did not count. They reworked the dies and the later nickels all have full steps, so those don't count either. IDK what the new rule is, and if they changed it or not.

 

Regarding the last part, I've seen graded AU slabs with the proof, DMPL, and PL designations. But it's rare, and I haven't seen a price guide for those either, although Greysheet might. But I'm not paying to find out.

 

Yes they can and do but it’s rare. The coin being graded as such must match they rules.

 

well it's not common, generaly designations are limited to mint state coins. From what I've seen most will still allow them in AU grades as well.
My favorite.. I have also seen one in an NGC holder (same grade/designation)

 

Yeah 2006-present Jefferson nickels are expected to have full steps so they don't put that designation on them, for the same reason they won't have that designation on proofs.

I have a really high grade 1970-D Jefferson nickel that seems to have no steps at all (OK, technically it has one lol)... I expect it was from a very worn die because there's no trace of wear on the coin at all but there's virtually no step detail on Monticello.

I think it's not so much coins that would qualify are particularly rare; it's just that it wouldn't be worth the grading fee to send them in, unless they're particularly rare or a key or semi-key date or something. Because just about anyone that would care about buying a graded coin with a special designation is going to want it to be uncirculated too.