full bell lines???????????

CLASSICS

ebay seller greattoning, has a 1957d franklin half dollar........ ebay item# 3017512706........ pcgs ms 65 with mint set toning {full bell lines}.......however i always thought if the bell lines had a nick across them as this one does, the lower set..... they would not slab it as a full bell lines........you thoughts please......

ksteelheader

I have a 1954 PCGS MS62 FBL that I just had certified 2 weeks ago with a big slash across the bell lines........Ken
Edited to state: That coin is way overpriced....Ken

ClausUrch

It sure looks as if the nick goes through the bell lines. Me thinkeths PCGS may have erred on this one as I, too am under the impression that the lines must be complete without interruption. Let's call on the resident expert...LUUUUUCY!!!!!

FC57Coins

This is a tricky situation:

The PCGS guidelines allude to the fact that if it's a minor distortion which does not distort the bell lines significantly, then the distortion is allowed. NGC doesn't allow this. My feeling is that a nick that happens to hit on the bell lines, but does not impair them to the point where you can't actually tell whether the coin is an FBL or not, should be allowed. In the case of this coin, the hit is miniscule and does not impair one from knowing that the bell lines are there. Remember that the bell line is actually a factor which helps determine full strike - there are other considerations which then take into account other features of the coin. This is just the starting point.

Frank

MadMonk

I've seen a slew of PCGS FBL's like that. I wonder if they cut a little slack thinking it's a strike versus preservation issue.

coinguy1

I was getting ready to tackle the question but thankfully, Frank made my job much easier (thanks Frank!). He posted an excellent response.

I would add one observation - when I graded at NGC, minor ticks on the bell lines did not automatically exclude a Frankie from the FBL designation. And, I have viewed examples that were graded after I left NGC, that are consistent with my recollections.

Like so much else in this hobby/business, there is not always a perfectly clear and consistent rule to go by - maybe that's part of what makes it so fun (and maddening)?

FC57Coins

Thanks Mark - I guess I should've said - NGC generally doesn't allow it - Generally speaking when NGC puts up FBL's they're beyond reproach.

Frank

CLASSICS

thank you everone for your responce

Russ

<< <i>That coin is way overpriced.... >>



Ken,

Did you mean to say way overbid? The seller started it at $1, so his price was pretty low.

Russ, NCNE

mnmcoin

Depends on if it is a tick, nick, mark or gash.

morris <><