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Full Bell Lines on Franklin Half Dollars
BEBPE
Posts: 22 ✭
2
BEBPE
Posts: 22 ✭
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FBL
Full Bell Lines
Franklin Half Dollars:
MS60 or better. Must exhibit complete, uninterrupted lower lines on
the Liberty bell.
for posterity and future education, i suggest pasting the text into a post instead of using an image
the "not fbl" image does not show the bell from 1 side to the other
Not from what I can see from here
I thought I'd give it a try and sent this 53-S in 4-5 years ago but didn't get lucky. MS65 no bell lines.
I would probably try that one again
Collector, occasional seller
seems like none of the 4 are fbl
May I join the discussion about Franklin half dollar Full Bell Lines? I’ve completed an MS65-or-better Franklin set, which you can see in the PCGS Set Registry under BEBPE.
I’m attaching a Word report comparing 11 different 1953-S halves: eight coins shown on PCGS and three I own. Mine are a PCGS MS66 without the FBL designation, an NGC MS65 FBL, and an ICG MS65 FBL.
I had the coins independently ranked by their photographed bell-line characteristics, apart from the grades and designations assigned by PCGS and NGC. I respect the analysis, but the pictures speak for themselves. Please take a close look at how each coin was assessed, including the line separation, the normal center bell crack, and places where the lower rim may touch or interrupt the lowest line.
I’d welcome your thoughts on the rankings and, especially, whether the lower lines on my PCGS MS66 merit an FBL designation. If you see something the report missed or interpreted incorrectly, I’d appreciate hearing it.
many here, including me, don't open attachments
A few years ago I set out to assemble a graded set of FHD's: UNC and PRF. When it was affordable, I bought FBL examples. Here's a few:
Personally I never believed FBL were as important as FH SlQ or FB Mercuries. And the criteria for FBL is more up for interpretation and debate than the other designations
My experience with PCGS over its Full Bell Lines standards ultimately ended with me being banned from submitting any more coins.
I own an MS66 Franklin half dollar that, in my judgment, clearly meets the Full Bell Lines criteria. I submitted it to PCGS for reconsideration because I wanted a meaningful review and an explanation of why it did not qualify.
After my repeated efforts to resolve the grading and customer service issues, PCGS prohibited me from making further submissions. I cannot speak to their internal reasoning, but from my perspective, they ended the customer relationship instead of addressing my concerns about the coin and their FBL standards.
I’m including a redacted copy of the letter I received from the president of PCGS so others can read the company’s response for themselves.
Has anyone else had a similar experience after challenging a designation or repeatedly raising customer service concerns?
Wow!
Smitten with DBLCs.
Your half does not make it just to the left of the bell crack. PCGS only considers the lower set of lines.
“An explanation of why it did not qualify” ??
“Repeatedly raising customer service concerns” ???
You got a polite kiss-off letter from the president of PCGS - frame it and move on.
30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!
Uninterupted - except for the Crack?
(not to get too far off the topic:) If there are some wear marks but the lines are still visible there are some borderline cases (no pun intended). Looks like there should be an FBL scale of 1-5 or something like that. Just my 50c worth.
Really, I didn't know that.