Ugaman72

What exactly are the criteria for having a coin designated as having Full Steps, Full Bands, or Full Bell Lines? Does the line have to be visible? Or does the lines between areas have to be visible and distinct? Take the Franklin Halves for instance. Does the entire line have to be visible? Or must it be visible, distinct and with a great strike? Anyone have comparison pics for those like me trying to identify Full Line varieties?

Daggarjon

there cannot be ANY splits in the bands or steps as theycross the design .. any break will kill its chances of the fbl or fs ...

Ugaman72

OK, lets use this as an example. Say I have a Franklin half. I can see the entire bell line, from bottom to top, even though it is weak in places. The line is discernible, but not completely sharp in the entire range. Is this considered a FBL? Or does the entire bell line have to be one deep, sharp, and intact line?

Doug21

its the horizontal lettering and lines

Daggarjon

for the FBL on franklins, the FBL concernes the bell lines at the bottom of the bell, all the other lines are not involved.

as long as the bell line is discernible - meaning NO breaks.. it should get the FBL ...

Doug21

I like a strong line of lettering as well, that Pass and Stowe stuff.

zaneman

For full steps, most grading companies require a minimum of 5 full, unbroken steps. For full split bands, the central band of the dime must not touch in any space. Full bell lines require the bottom lines to be full for some grading companies, and for others they require all of the lines to be complete and unbroken.

I am under the impression that grading companies actually developed these suffixes, rather than the ANA, and as such can vary widely.

Daggarjon

thanks Zane.. i didnt know that some TPG's did not require all bands, steps or lines to be unborken .. i thought they all did.. next time i make a purchase i will look more closely.. fortunately, the coins i have purchased do have all the appropriate lines as full ... lucky me !!!!

eddiespin

The best way is to just go to Heritage and look them over. If you have a particular coin in mind, look over their examples on that particular date and mintmark. Again, what "The Book" says, and how the TPGs rate these, are two different things. You can see, right there, for yourself, what they're slabbing as full, and what they're not. You take the bother to do a little of that "photo-rating," and you'll be an expert in no time. It's really that simple.

Rono

Great stuff folks,

For FSBs on mercuries, is it the center diagonal band that's the measure?

As for FS on Jeffs, all the steps must be complete. However, I have a question about certified FS jeffersons. Due to strike quality variations some have 5 steps and some have 6. Do the TPG's certify both as being FS?

thanks,

rono

Ugaman72

Thanks for all of the info!! I thought that the "crack" in the Liberty Bell was the "bell line" in question, not all of the lines on the bell. I learn something new every day. Rono, I wish I could answer your question about FSB's. I'm sure someone on here can answer it, though.

GDJMSP

This has all been posted a great many times, but I guess it's time to do it again. These are the special designations that NGC uses. PCGS uses the same basic designations with a few minor differences. They use DCAM instead of UCAM and SMS instead of SP and DMPL instead of DPL. That's about it for the terms themsleves. But there are some major differences between NGC and PCGS in regard to exactly which coins qualify for these designations. In other words what criteria does a con have to meet to have the designation placed on the slab. In most cases, NGC holds to a higher standard than PCGS.

I will post the specifics that I know, others may add to it if they know something that I have left out. Or, if you see a mistake, please correct me. Unless I specify otherwise, the criteria are the same for both companies.

BN = Brown
95% or more of the coin is brown

RB = Red Brown
6% or more, but less than 94% of the coin is brown

RD = Red
95% of the coin is original mint red, 5% may be brown

CA = Cameo
Proofs and prooflike coins, that have frosted devices and lettering that contrast with the fields.

UC = Ultra Cameo
Proofs and prooflike coins, that have deeply frosted devices and lettering that contrast with the fields - often called “black and white” cameos.

PL = Prooflike
NGC - reflectivity at 2-4 inches
PCGS - reflectivity at 2 inches

DPL = Deep Prooflike
NGC - reflectivity at 6-8 inches
PCGS - reflectivity at 4-6inches

FB = Full Split Bands
NGC - all 3 horizontal bands on the fasces must have clear and distinct lines
PCGS - the central band on the fasces must have clear and distinct lines

FBL = Full Bell Lines
NGC - both the upper & lower sets of bell lines must be clear, distinct and unbroken except at the crack
PCGS - the lower set of bell lines must be clear, distinct and unbroken except tat the crack

SP = Specimen

FH = Full Head
helmet of the head must have full details

FT = Full Torch
NGC - both upper and lower horizontal bands must have clear and distinct lines, the vertical lines must also be clear & disitinct
PCGS - upper and lower bands must have clear & distinct lines

5FS = Five Full Steps
the lines of 5 steps must be clear, distinct and unbroken

6FS = Six Full Steps
the lines of 6 steps must be clear, distinct and unbroken

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