franklin full bell lines

[hoard]

really trying to get a handle on full bell lines. what consitutes full bell lines, both bands complete but how strong a strike. what about lettering on bell pass stow etc. thanks for input.

[Grumps]

I think different grading services will give you different definitions. FBL's should be a solid unbroken bottom line on the edge at the bottom of the bell all the way across the bell. That is the only thing that is graded.

 

Greg

[James_OldeTowne]

There are two sets of lines on the Liberty bell. NGC requires both sets to be completely visible an uninterrupted, while PCGS requires only the lower set to be. Note that a moderate bagmark placed so unfortunately as to interrupt the line will preclude an FBL designation.

 

General thought is that the NGC requirement is more stringent, and therefore worthy of a premium over PCGS.

 

James

[pendragon1998]

Someone want to post a photo pointing out the lines in question?

[James_OldeTowne]

[hoard]

thanks for the responses. I have be collecting mostly wheats and mercurys since I was about 13 now 40. A great uncle got me into it. Just thinking about starting the franklins and am learning. I am seeing quite significant differences in the strikes of these coins. I was wondering if the lettering on the bell was another indicator of fbl, but it does simply appear that weak fbl strikes still qualify for this designation, although I suspect nice premiums are paid for better strikes. Again thanks.

[crazyboutcoins-migration]

Welcome aboard hoard! I'm a newbie here myself but have been collecting (actually hoarding!) for over 30 years. You'll love this forum. It gets slow at times but the knowledge and insights you get from the pros here are priceless. I've learned more in the past few months than I did in all my years of collecting before coming here.

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You'll also find that the people here are MORE than willing help you out with any questions that you may have as you get more into collecting.

 

I STRONGLY recommend you read the "What You Need To Know" posts that the good people on here post every Sunday. Matter of fact, you should search and view the ones that have already been posted.

 

Good luck!

[Morgannut]

Hoard--Actually you are way ahead of the game in your analysis. The letters on the bell are a very good indication of strike, almost as good as the bell lines; actually better if there's a tick in the wrong place.

 

In addition to the PCGS-NGC difference on which lines are graded--keep in mind that the bottem bell line IS SUPPOSED to be incomplete in places along the bottem edge--in other words it's supposed to be jagged showing a zig-zag on lower edge of the bell. Don't confuse with an incomplete line.

[pendragon1998]

Thanks, James EarlyUS - that's exactly what I was hoping for.

 

As I'm just getting back into collecting, I'm refamiliarizing myself with all of the types while I decide how I want to start back up collecting. The Franklin half has always been a little perplexing to me, since it seems to me like it lacked a lot of fine detail when it was first being issued. For example, Ben's hair lines, the bell lines, and the wooden bell block all seem to blur right away with even moderate wear, and I always have had difficulty determining if the indistinct lines are part of the design or part of the wear.