***Auction Highlight*** 1945-p Mercury Dime 10c Graded GEM++ FSB BY USCG (fc)

***Auction Highlight*** 1945-p Mercury Dime 10c Graded GEM++ FSB BY USCG (fc)
***Auction Highlight*** 1945-p Mercury Dime 10c Graded GEM++ FSB BY USCG. The 1945 is one of the prime strike rarities not only in the Mercury dime series, but also in the entire historical U.S. coinage family. With a staggering mintage of 159,130,000 pieces -- one of the highest for this type -- it should come as no surprise to read that this issue is very common in an absolute sense. This even includes Mint State survivors without a Full Bands designation. In all grades within the Full Bands category, however, the 1945 is a major rarity. David W. Lange offers two theories to explain why virtually the entire mintage of this issue emerged from the dies with poor central definition on the reverse. The first is slight difference in the diameter of the collar used in striking, and the second is slight difference in the curvature of the rims as imparted by the upsetting mill. In both cases the pattern and quality of strike of the finished coins could have been adversely affected by these differences, even if subtle. Regardless, the rarity of the 1945 with Full Bands definition is legendary, and the acquisition of such an example, especially a Gem Mint State coin, has long been regarded as the crowning achievement of the most advanced Mercury dime collectors. A Key Date's Pick, Bid to Win, Don't let it get Away, you might not find its equal Coin. I give this coin my highest recommendation