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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,466 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1053 Posts |
*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***hello everybody. I was wondering about Mercury dimes with "split horizontal bands." I received a 1944-s Mercury dime for Christmas, and it appears to have split bands. the Official Red Book states that dimes with split bands are worth much more. do the dimes have to be in "proof" condition to be worth more? thanks in advance for the help
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Not really but then too it really depends on the date too. And with the bands it is usually the middle ones that get the worst wear so that is the ones to look for first. Many times you'll see a Mercury dime with the top and bottom bands really nice and clear but the middlle ones a blur. It is true that at many coin shows and coin stores you'll see them advertised as more due to the FULL SPLIT BANDS. And they really do charge a lot for that. Unfortuantely in this instance I suspect the Red Book is trying to tell the world what is what in coins. To me if a Mercury dimes was almost perfect but those silly bands were a little messed up, so what. The Red Book says the 22 Plain Cent is real so much be in your Album. Since they said that, people believe it must be so. AFter all it was in the Red Book. Edited by just carl
04/03/2011 10:52 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3278 Posts |
Coins with full bands are desirable because they are high quality business strikes with crisp dies giving a nice looking coin. Proof coins have specially prepared dies, planchets and strike characteristics. Proof Mercury dimes are more valuable than full band business strikes. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I guess that it is possible to tool a Mercury in the banding to make it look as if they are split. It would be a good coin to develop tooling skills. Perhaps the easiest way is to gently tap the split area with a sharp instrument.
The problem then becomes how you can detect this type of dishonesty.
Has anyone pictures to help spot this type of this type of fakery?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
958 Posts |
full struck nickles ( full steps ) full struck Franklin halves ( liberty bell details ) Always bring a prem and when in MS condition full detailed coins can grade very high ms66+ The same coins with weaker details might only grade ms-65 I think the f/s really comes into play on the higher grade coins |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I guess that it is possible to tool a Mercury in the banding to make it look as if they are split. It would be a good coin to develop tooling skills. Perhaps the easiest way is to gently tap the split area with a sharp instrument. Probably shouldn't have mentioned this here since thousands of people read this and think "Hey not a bad idea". Actually that is what I just thought of. I've got many Mercury dimes that are close to FSB and a little tap with a chisel might make them worth more. Also, a Dremel tool with a saw blade, intial tool for adding names to tools or even a screwdriver might clear a new line on those bands. I can see it now. A small room in China with lots of people with tools and piles of Mercury dimes making them all into Full Banded coins.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1745 Posts |
Quote:I can see it now. A small room in China with lots of people with tools and piles of Mercury dimes making them all into Full Banded coins I can hardly wait to see this one on ebay, Mercury Dime Full Split Bands G, but grade for yourself, I'm not a professional grader |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1053 Posts |
okay thank you for the information. but one more question. how much more are they really worth? I have a 1944-S.
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
you can check heritage or another auction house and see what they sell for.
i just posted some pics in the classic section of a couple ms65fb and a ms67 that I just got. I paid a total of $62 for both the full bands.
later, dave
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote:
do the dimes have to be in "proof" condition to be worth more?
Proof is not a condition, it is a specific minting style. Generally, a proof coin is struck at least twice with higher than normal pressure. Dies and planchets are specially prepared, usually with polishing and/or sandblasting. Proofs are minted specifically for collectors as opposed to being instruments of commerce like business strike(circulating) coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1053 Posts |
oh sorry I worded that wrong. I knew the deal with proof coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1053 Posts |
do they have to be uncirculated?
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,466 |
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Posted 04/03/2011 11:19 pm
