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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,384 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
So the other day I bought a 1943D Mercury dime graded by ICG at MS62. I paid $10, which is, thankfully, right about where PCGS says it should be for that grade (I'm still a total newb, so I'm sure they see me coming). I picked it up for a couple reasons: first, I'd spent some time picking the store owner's brains, and I didn't want to leave without buying something so that he knew I was not just there to waste his time. Second, the fact that it was graded intrigued me. I've gone over the coin with a fine-toothed loupe. It's a nice coin--possibly under graded (luster throughout, little or no wear, and I'd swear full band, even tho that's not mentioned by ICG). But it has freckled toning on the obverse that looks like dirt and may hide defects I'm not savvy enough to pick out. I can't imagine even the most optimistic dealer/collector thinking it'd get anything like a 67 or 68 grading. Forgive my obvious ignorance, but WHY would someone pay to grade a coin that at best might be worth $50?   Edited by twslisa
09/29/2016 07:08 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
790 Posts |
Oops! Wrong forum for this type of coin. Sorry. I study medieval history, so my idea of "modern" is anything in the last couple centuries! I posted a note to staff so they can move this to the proper place.
Edited by twslisa
09/29/2016 07:15 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Well first of all I don't believe ICG would have given this a straight grade if the toning was DIRT . I'm sure it's not FB . not for $10 . No wear on this coin as far as I can tell , besides ICG would not have given it an MS grade . $10 ,decent price .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
Thanks!  . Question: all bars go all the way across, though the one in the center is really faint at the highest point. Is that why it wouldn't be FB? PS, it definitely isn't dirt. Just looks like it. Not the pretty kind of toning. Edited by twslisa
09/29/2016 08:03 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
< twslisa > lets see if I can explain the bands to you . there are 3 sets of bands on a Merc. 2 single bands on the bottom , 2 single bands in the middle , and 3 single bands on the top . All bands MUST be fully separated with out any interruption . A nice straight line between the sets of bands . however there is a difference between FSB and FB or SB . Lets see if ''coop'' can chime in to this post , he has diagrams of Mercury dime split bands .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
Thanks! I'm looking again, and I could still swear, but admittedly, I don't have awesome lighting here at my kitchen table, and my eye is definitely untrained. I'm sure there's a break somewhere I'm just not seeing. Images of the real deal would definitely help!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
No way to tell if it's fsb with the pic posted. Need close ups.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
I hope to get one of those USB microscope/magnifiers. That center line is pretty faint in spots. Maybe under good lighting and magnification I'll see the break. If I get a really good magnified pic and still wonder why it wasn't FSB (I'm assuming ICG knows way better than I do) I'll post so you guys can show me what I'm missing.
Thanks!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
 to the CCF! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5823 Posts |
I believe ALL known 3rd party grading companies grades Mercury dimes the same way, if its not FB, it is not FB. Hope of a higher grades can be the difference of ten to hundreds of dollars in the later year of this series. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
I agree that there is little reason to pay to have a common coin graded. If it were 1921-D and in really fine condition it might be worth it.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,384 |
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Posted 09/29/2016 07:23 am
