Hunting for the Perfect Full Split Banded Mercury Dime

The Mercury dime collection is probably the most recognizable, if not the quintessential coin among all numismatists.  What it offers is affordability, knockout design, and the distinct ability of being the consistent seller in the marketplace.  Speaking of design aesthetics, the Mercury dime isn't really the famed Mercury, the Roman god of Abundance.  It was designed to be Lady Liberty, with winged tiara that signifies free thought.  The reverse, simply an axe head mounted on a bundle of sticks called a fasces along with sprigs of olive.  For the Mercury Dime collectors, it's these very fasces that carry tremendous weight in the overall value, especially in the mint state ranges.  "Full Split Bands" is a trait that is seen on the tied strings that hold the fasces together, if the strike is strong, you will see the separation line (see reference photo) that it takes to own the term.

Shown are the middle set of strings on the
fasces.  While there are three sets of strings,
the middle set will determine if you have
a valuable example, or just a regular MS
graded dime.
Photo courtesy of PCGS

Full split banded Mercury dimes exist in all dates.  However, there are few select dates that merit extra scrutiny when you go to cherrypick for the variety.  One in particular, the 1945-P is extremely difficult to find with clean full split bands.  They are either very flat, or they are oh so close to having splits, only to have connected interruption.  Seeing as this was the final year of the design, the mint employees were very lazy in re-engraving these dies.  Conservatively graded PCGS 64 FB examples have sold in the $5k-$5.5k range and they go up into the five figures if you're able to hit one in 65 or higher.  Another valuable date is the 1919-S, these too fetch five figure paydays in anything higher than 65.  So the next time you're out at the dealer or show, take some time to search through all the Mercury dimes.  Because there is bound to be that special coin that can make your year.  

Good luck hunting!