Franklin Half FBL determination

clarkbar04

This is a unicorn in FBL (53-S) but I thought this had a good shot at making the cut, but I'm not one to give up on the first try. (PCGS said MS65 no FBL)

Does this absolutely miss the mark or should I try a reconsideration submission? The photos I think are good but the trueview has some of the bell lines in the shadow in the center. Are those tiny marks on the center of the bell lines enough to keep it out of FBL status? I think I've only submitted one other Franklin in my whole life so I'm far from an expert. What I understand is that PCGS only looks at the bottom bell lines.

MFeld

How many breaks do you see in the bell line?

NorthStar

Based on your images,
If you look at the upper bell lines they are not complete across the entire bell. I don't think the marks on the bell are what was the deciding factor. This is the big money coin in the Franklin set. PCGS is going to be very conservative.

1madman

Here’s one available, which the lines look mushy and blended to me:

https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1658376/1953-S-Franklin-Half-Dollar-PCGS-MS-64-FBL-Toned

I think your coin should easily fbl compared to this other one. I’d resubmit

JBK

There is a crack that bisects all the lines..

clarkbar04

@1madman said:
Here’s one available, which the lines look mushy and blended to me:

https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1658376/1953-S-Franklin-Half-Dollar-PCGS-MS-64-FBL-Toned

I think your coin should easily fbl compared to this other one. I’d resubmit

I looked at all imaged on coinfacts and arrived at a similar opinion.
I know they say ownership adds a point, can it also add a bell line?
Looked at the coin under 7x when I got it to look at the lines and didn't see any breaks - so for now have spent $70 plus shipping having a $70 coin graded.

jesbroken

Never collected fbl, ft or fb coins as it seemed acceptance of grading varied too greatly. I did attempt jeff nickels with fs and became fairly adept with them, but quit those as well. Good luck clarkbar04.
Jim

Walkerlover

@jesbroken said:
Never collected fbl, ft or fb coins as it seemed acceptance of grading varied too greatly. I did attempt jeff nickels with fs and became fairly adept with them, but quit those as well. Good luck clarkbar04.
Jim

I think FBL on Franklin Halves is to subjective in grading them due to the difficulty in accurately assessing the definition of the lines. Personally I wouldn’t pay the extra premium