Grading the 1944-S Mercury Dime PCGS MS65FB: The Difference Between $50 and $500

The Hunt for Quality at Long Beach

Condition is everything. Here’s how to examine the high points and fields to determine the true grade of this piece. At the recent Long Beach Expo, I had the opportunity to examine a remarkable 1944-S Mercury Dime that perfectly illustrates why professional grading matters so much in our hobby.

Historical Context: The Mercury Dime Series

The Mercury dime, officially known as the Winged Liberty Head dime, was minted from 1916 to 1945 and remains one of America’s most beloved coin series. The 1944-S issue from the San Francisco Mint had a mintage of 49,490,000 pieces, making it relatively common in circulated grades but increasingly scarce in higher mint state conditions.

Metal Composition and Specifications

• Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
• Diameter: 17.9 mm
• Weight: 2.5 grams
• Mint Mark: “S” (San Francisco)

Grading Breakdown: Examining the 1944-S PCGS MS65FB

Wear Patterns: The Key to Authentication

When examining this 1944-S Mercury Dime, the first thing that stands out is the complete absence of wear on the high points. The Winged Liberty portrait on the obverse shows full separation between the hair lines and the wing, with no flattening on the cheek or jaw. The reverse reveals equally impressive preservation, with the full bands on the fasces remaining sharply defined.

The absence of wear on high points is crucial for MS65 designation. Any friction would immediately drop the coin to AU58 or lower.

Luster Quality: The Flash That Catches the Eye

This specimen exhibits brilliant cartwheel luster that rotates evenly across both surfaces. The luster quality is particularly important for Mercury dimes, as their design elements were created to showcase the reflective properties of the silver planchet. Under proper lighting, this coin displays a vibrant satin finish that speaks to its original mint state condition.

Strike Quality: Sharp Details Matter

The strike on this 1944-S is notably sharp for the issue. San Francisco Mint coins from this era often suffered from minor softness in the central devices, but this example shows full detail on Liberty’s hair, the wing feathers, and the fasces on the reverse. The Full Bands designation confirms that the horizontal bands on the fasces are complete and separated, a critical factor that adds significant premium to Mercury dimes.

Eye Appeal: The Subjective Factor

Beyond the technical aspects, this coin possesses exceptional eye appeal. The surfaces are remarkably clean for the grade, with only minimal contact marks that are well-hidden in the design elements. The toning is minimal and even, allowing the brilliant luster to shine through. This combination of factors creates a coin that looks better than its technical grade might suggest.

PCGS Standards: What MS65FB Really Means

MS65 Criteria

According to PCGS standards, MS65 represents a choice uncirculated coin with strong eye appeal. For this 1944-S, the grade is justified by:

• Full mint luster with minimal breaks
• Light, scattered contact marks or two heavier marks
• Full strike with complete details
• Excellent eye appeal

Full Bands Designation

The FB designation is particularly significant for Mercury dimes. Only coins showing fully separated horizontal bands on the fasces receive this designation. This 1944-S exhibits complete separation with no weakness or blending of the bands, confirming its premium status within the MS65 grade.

Value Assessment: Why Grading Matters

The difference between grades on this coin is substantial. A typical 1944-S Mercury Dime in MS60 might trade for $15-20, while an MS65FB example like this can command $400-600 or more. The Full Bands designation alone can add 50-100% to the numismatic value compared to a non-FB example in the same grade.

Market Comparison

At the Long Beach show, this coin was acquired at what the owner described as “an extremely attractive price.” Given current market conditions where common silver was available at 55x face and common silver dollars were selling for $60, this MS65FB example represented exceptional value for a collector seeking quality.

Authentication Notes

The 8-digit certification number confirms this is not a reholdered rattler holder as initially speculated, but rather a standard PCGS holder from the mid-2000s. The holder style and certification number are consistent with PCGS’s numbering system from that era.

Conclusion: The Importance of Professional Grading

This 1944-S Mercury Dime PCGS MS65FB exemplifies why professional grading remains essential in numismatics. The combination of technical grade, Full Bands designation, and exceptional eye appeal creates a coin that stands out even among other high-grade examples. For collectors, understanding these grading nuances can mean the difference between acquiring a good coin and finding a great one – sometimes at the same price point.

The Long Beach Expo continues to provide opportunities for collectors to discover such treasures, whether through careful examination of dealer cases or by learning from the examples on display throughout the bourse. As precious metals prices remain strong and collector interest grows, the importance of quality and proper grading will only increase in our hobby.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• Is Your 1944-S Mercury Dime PCGS MS65FB Real? Authentication Guide – Introduction With sophisticated counterfeits flooding the market, knowing the specific diagnostic points for this iconic…
• How to Spot Rare Errors on Back To Business The New Long Beach Expo Report – February 2026 – Introduction: The Hunt for Hidden Treasures Most people overlook the tiny details that can transform a common coin into …
• The Hidden History Behind the Long Beach Expo Revival: A Numismatic Renaissance – The Historical Story of the Long Beach Expo Every relic tells a story. To understand the significance of the Long Beach …