I picked up a 1941 PCGS ms65 merc at a coin show this weekend for 35. I had been looking for a nice graded example merc for awhile. I had been looking on the bay at ms65fb for $50ish, so seeing a 65 at the show for 35, I jumped on it. My question is should I still lookout on the bay for a fb, is the quality of a fb that much better than a normal 65 to warrant the extra 15-20 bucks?
To earn the FB designation a Mercury dime needs a certain level of detail present within about 2% of the surface area of the coin. That's it. A Mercury dime with FB designation does not mean that it is overall well struck and does not mean that it will have an overall better strike than one without the FB designation. Beware of these strike designations as they can lead one to spend money where they otherwise might not be willing.
I think you got an OK deal if the coin rates the 65 grade. a well struck coin with good luster you enjoy is what it's all about as long as you didn't overpay, which you didn't.
