Tough Franklins

Mikey

Which Franklin dates are tough to find in full bell lines?

dpoole

1953-S!!!

FC57Coins

Most Franklins, except the 53S can be found in FBL. The trick is getting them in gem condition AND FBL - 53P is a relatively tough date as well - though nowhere near 53S. In addition, true FBL's from 61-63 are relatively tough. I say "true" FBL's because I've noticed that a lot of sliders slide into the FBL category due to their scarcity I think - what do the rest of you Franklin types think?

Frank

LucyBop

By George I think the Lil' Pug is RIGHT! The P mints from the 60s are super scarce, I have searched many a mint set looking for FBL's, I have found very few.....

FC57Coins

Most mint sets from the early 60's will make you sick - you talk about lousy quality control - they were pitiful back then! Most FBL's from that period I believe come from rolls. Every once in a great while you'll find a nice 1960 mintset, but after that - bag mark city!

Frank

PS - Listen to Lucille - it'll be worth your while!

oldcameoproofsguy

I agree with Lucy and the smoking dog. Most of the S mint coins are also tougher to find in FBL. San Francisco was notorious for poorly struck Franklins. The Philadelphia mint had a couple of years were the strike wasn't so great either; 1953 comes to mind as well as the 1960's.

This is my 500th post; I must not have a life any more.

Mikey

Congratulations on the posts. Of the measurements used to grade coins, I think the FBL designation is the most inconsistent, just because it is soo long.

oldcameoproofsguy

<< <i>Of the measurements used to grade coins, I think the FBL designation is the most inconsistent, just because it is soo long. >>


This is one case where I feel that the NGC is a little more consistent than the PCGS. The NGC will not give a FBL unless the coin has very defined bell lines. I would rather have an FBL graded by the NGC than the PCGS. I think that eventually people will start paying a higher premium for these NGC coins than for their PCGS counterparts.

LucyBop

I collect PCGs since I am a Registry set particapant and would say you can find tons of PCGs Frankies that would also pass the test at NGC, with that said, I have boughten some NGC Frankies that I may one day cross, I am also playing around with the idea of starting a NGC registry set as well, if I did this I would only add NGC coins to it. Well I purchase the PCGs coins I do study the Bell Lines and I pass on some I don't find acceptable, one can find many with the 7 full lines in PCGs holders.... At Long Beach they had FRANKIES galore, and most that I saw had 7 Full Lines, I also saw some where the graders had to of been blind folded cause these didn't deserve FBL's.....

FC57Coins

<< <i> I would rather have an FBL graded by the NGC than the PCGS. I think that eventually people will start paying a higher premium for these NGC coins than for their PCGS counterparts >>



Whilst it'd be far from me to disagree with my co-hort Mike, I have to say that the downside of this argument is that many (not all) NGC graded coins don't measure up overall quality wise to their PCGS counterparts. While yes, NGC does give you bold bell lines, sometimes I do think they go a little overboard, while at the same time, some PCGS FBL's are questionable at best. In my experience I have to say that if you search a bit you will find good quality coins from both companies - but I think you have to search a bit harder for overall quality with the NGC coins, and less for decent Bell Lines from the PCGS folks.

Frank

robertpr

In response to the original question, the S mints are tough in FBL. Anything 1960 to 1963 is also tough as the master die was reworked before the 1960 strikes, and the lines weren't as defined on the new die. The D minted coins are especially tough after 1960. The early Franklins from P and D are pretty common in FBL, however. This is of course an overgeneralization. I'd recommend getting Rick Tomaska's "Complete Guide to Franklin Halves" for a good date-by-date analysis, which I generally have found to be right on the money (but not perfect). The second edition I think is coming along pretty soon and when I buy it I'll give away the first edition probably on the giveaway board.

oldcameoproofsguy

Frank,

You do have a point when it comes to the NGC being a little less strict on grade when it comes to the Franklins. My observation is that the NGC grades eye appeal stronger than technical merit. The PCGS is really strict on technical merit.

I should have been clearer in my point. When one compares pop numbers for NGC and PCGS FBL coins for high grade examples; the NGC pop numbers are much lower for almost every year than the PCGS.

You are correct though, sometimes I see some really baggy coins make MS65 or better in NGC holders. I am pretty picky when it comes to Franklins anyway. I usually won't purchase one unless it is really clean.

FC57Coins

<< <i>I am pretty picky when it comes to Franklins anyway. I usually won't purchase one unless it is really clean. >>









Mike - What are you talking about????

LucyBop

The real final and authoratative answer really is, are you ready, ALL OF EM!!!!!! Cause I am slowy but surely removing every FBL from the market!

FC57Coins

<< <i>The real final and authoratative answer really is, are you ready, ALL OF EM!!!!!! Cause I am slowy but surely removing every FBL from the market! >>



Ah great - a female version of Russ!!! - Is anyone trying to picture Russ in drag right now??

LucyBop

Russie can never look like the Kitten!

FC57Coins

True - enough - but how would Russ look with bangs and a few earrings??? LOL

Cam40

lol ,nevermind.