Full Band Mercury Dime

A "full band" Mercury dime refers to a specific grading characteristic of a U.S. coin called the Mercury dime. The Mercury dime was a ten-cent coin minted by the United States from 1916 to 1945. It features a depiction of Liberty wearing a winged cap on the obverse side and a fasces, symbolizing strength and unity, on the reverse side.

When grading Mercury dimes, one aspect that collectors pay attention to is the strength of the horizontal bands on the fasces. These bands are located on the reverse side of the coin and represent the bundles of wooden rods tied together in Roman symbolism. A "full band" Mercury dime means that all the horizontal bands on the fasces are distinct and well-defined.

The grading scale ranges from "no bands" to "full bands," with various degrees in between. The designation of a coin having "full bands" indicates that the horizontal bands on the fasces are complete and fully separated from each other. This characteristic is desirable among collectors and can contribute to the value and desirability of a Mercury dime.