Full Band, Full Steps, Full Head and Full Bell Lines…..
Something about Numismatists and the word full. Do you know what all of these phrases above mean? Do you also know that they all have a similar concept in common? Most collectors with any length of tooth can probably recite to you from memory what these phrases mean, but just in case you are still teething, here it goes.
Full Bands (FB) has a complete split in the middle of the central set of bands on the reverse of the coin. The bands are part of the fasces design element, which resembles a bundle of sticks and an axe wrapped in olive leaves. The bands are shown as three sets of twin belts.
It looks like this:
If that line the arrows are pointing to is connected all the way across, the coin can be designated as Full Band.
The Full Steps (FS) designation is a grading term for Jefferson nickels that have at least five unbroken steps at the base of Monticello on the reverse side. The steps must run the full width of the base, and any interruption will prevent the coin from receiving the Full Steps designation. Most people count the lines instead of the steps so this is what that looks like.
This one photographs differently as the white lines are not what matters, but the fully formed 5 steps. It can be a little confusing as this coin shows a partial 6th step as well.
Standing Liberty Quarters receive the Full Head designation when the helmet exhibits three complete and distinct leaves, a complete outline on the bottom of the helmet, and a clear ear hole on Miss Liberty's head
The easiest way to remember this one is to look for the hole in the ear. You cannot have a full head unless you have clean ears (I made this up but it does seem to work).
And Finally
Full Bell Lines (FBL) is a coin grading term used to describe Franklin half dollars with complete and uninterrupted bell lines on the reverse of the coin. The Liberty Bell on the back of a Franklin half-dollar has two sets of bell lines, three on top and two on the bottom. Most collectors only consider the bottom set when determining if a Franklin is FBL.
At the time of writing this, we had no Full Bell Lines coins in stock so I do not have any photos. Just keep in mind that the crack on the liberty bell going through the lines does not count. But here is the definition
What all of these terms really reference is the quality of the coin strike. In every case, any coin with any of these designations can be considered well-struck. Instead of just using the term Fully struck for all these coins the hobby developed these terms to help collectors to easily identify when a coin is fully or well struck. It's turned into a kind of shorthand to describe what it looks like when these particular series are well-struck. The nicest examples would have e.g., have full steps, or a full band, etc.