The bell on the Franklin as you know, was modeled after the bell from the Sesqui. The Sesqui is notorious for being a low relief coin, and I wonder how the bell lines on it compare to the overall strike. One of the main reasons that 60's Franklins are so rare in FBL is that the reworked master die did not have very well defined bell lines on it. I wonder if anyone knows some of the finer diagnostics of this piece. You will recall that the bicentenial dollar also has the liberty bell featured on it, but here, the bell is very well definted, so to my knowledge, there is no such thing as Bicentenial Ikes without full bell lines. I also wonder if the fact that this is a one year issue, if there is enough interest in the overall collecting community to make the differentiation.
<< <i>The Sesqui is notorious for being a low relief coin >>
this has always been the standard explanation for the lack of gems, & i think the redbook might even say something like that, but i think it doesn't tell the whole story. i was looking for gem's as long ago as the late 1970's, & what i discovered is that the relief is good enough on these coins that they can be well-struck. you will find a decent supply of strong specimens, some with really nice luster. the REALL problem that i found is that these coins appear to have usually been mishandled upon release from the mint. i strongly recommend you check out the cheek & look for bagmarks. bagmarks ALWAYS seem to be present on the cheek, & you will find that anything slabbed ms-64 & ms-65 will still have bagmarks on the cheek.
Comments
Brian.
Frank
You've given me some interesting suggestions. I will consider doing a research project on it.
Very fascinating!!
Brian.
thanks.
Brian.
Regards,
Frank
<< <i>The Sesqui is notorious for being a low relief coin >>
this has always been the standard explanation for the lack of gems, & i think the redbook might even say something like that, but i think it doesn't tell the whole story. i was looking for gem's as long ago as the late 1970's, & what i discovered is that the relief is good enough on these coins that they can be well-struck. you will find a decent supply of strong specimens, some with really nice luster. the REALL problem that i found is that these coins appear to have usually been mishandled upon release from the mint. i strongly recommend you check out the cheek & look for bagmarks. bagmarks ALWAYS seem to be present on the cheek, & you will find that anything slabbed ms-64 & ms-65 will still have bagmarks on the cheek.