For the Franklin Half Dollar Specialists

[Newmismatist]

Here’s an area that Franklin Half Dollar Specialists on our forum can help out their non-specialist fellow members.

 

How do you define “Full Bell Lines”?

Which Dates are difficult to acquire with Full Bell Lines?

How much more are the Full Bell Line dates worth than their non-full Bell Lines counterparts?

[LucyBop]

Now why in the world hasn't anybody replied to this? Even just to tell us how we should collect?

 

 

FBL for NGC requires all the Bell Lines to be full. Both the Top set and the Bottom.

 

FBL for PCGs requires just the bottom set of Bell Lines to be full..

 

Both services require these lines to be unenterupted and complete across the Bell

with the exception of the crack in the bell.

 

I have found coins in both holders that didn't deserve this designation, so one should really know what to look for when making a purchase. I've even had a few NGC crack outs that were very iffy and didn't make FBL at PCGs.

 

FBL Franklins trade for many multiples above their non-FBL counterparts.....

A 1961 P ms65 FBL can fetch 1300 - 1700, where as non-FBL this is a 80 -100 coin. I believe there are many bargains in Non-FBL GEMS.

 

As far as Tough dates....

 

The toughest and rarest is the 53s. This coin in GEM FBL is a 12k to 15k coin.

 

The S mints of the Early 50s are all tough in FBL as San Francisco had issues with the dies they were using. The Denver mints produced good Bell Lines but they had quality control issues and D mints are often very baggy making GEM coins relatively tough.

 

In 1960, the Mint re-worked the master dies trying to bring back detail in the coin that was lost as the 50s progressed and the master die wore. They did a good job except on the Reverse. Making all 60's issues tough in FBL and very pricey in GEM FBL.

 

Easiest dates to find in FBL, the 1948 and 48d, 49 and 49d, 50d and 51d. I believe the 51d to be the boldest strike of them all, I base this on my own personal experience with literally thousands of Franklins.....

[Elbesaar]

Lucy, We have not met, but you are the ONE person who could have answered the NEWMISMATIST's questions. I answered - briefly - some of his inquiries on the Standing Liberty Quarters.

 

Listen to Lucy, Newbie, this gal's the pro on Franklin's !

[LucyBop]

Hi Mikie, nice to meet you!!!!

[Elbesaar]

..........MIKIE ..... Okay, LUCIE.....

 

Lucy, I did check out your items for sale, some very impressive stuff...like the 54-S in 66. Very cool coin.

 

I just started a 67 CAM collection. I'm about 28 down from the top, but, they sure are pretty coins !!

 

Its late, girl, time to get some ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's

[Newmismatist]

Lucy

 

Excellent post Lucy. I didn't post these questions on the Frankies, Jeffs, Mercs, Roosie or SLQs for my benefit (I have a pretty good idae what they are & yes I have the books already), but these posts are to allow our knowledgeable specialists to help those that don't have your specialized info. Of all the responses so far, yours is the best. Thanks for the info - I hope others will benefit from your excellant post.

[gmarguli]

FBL for NGC requires all the Bell Lines to be full. Both the Top set and the Bottom.

 

FBL for PCGs requires just the bottom set of Bell Lines to be full..

 

Both services require these lines to be unenterupted and complete across the Bell with the exception of the crack in the bell.

 

PCGS will also allow a little area to the sides of the crack to not be well defined and still get the FBL designation. They will also usually allot a hit on the lines if it is a CLEAN hit - meaning the hit doesn't smash the bell lines, but rather cuts them cleanly.

 

 

 

As far as Tough dates....

 

How about tough dates in GEM FBL where the coins are blast white? A vast majority of the "gem FBL" coins I have seen from the 1950's have been mint set toned. From what I have seen it is very difficult to find white coins from this era that are gem FBL. The biggest hindrance seems to be that the services will "upgrade" the dark mint set toned Franklins 1-2 points because the marks are hidden, while for brilliant ones they are tough.

 

[LucyBop]

Very true, since most GEMs are pulled from Mint sets, Brilliant blast white coins are very tough in Ultra GEM. Many ms65s can/have and are being found in original rolls. I speak from personal experience. But in Ultra GEM ms66 or higher it is very tough to find a brilliant blast white coin. In fact, I doubt one even exsists in a 1955.

 

Both services will upgrade any denomination coin if it has knockout toning and strong luster, thats no surprise and can be said about Washingtons, Roosies, Mercs, Classic commems...

 

NGC tends to grade the dark toned Franklins a point higher then PCGs.