Full Bell Lines

I picked up an uncirculated 1963 D Franklin for $7.50 and I wanted to know how many lines it has to have for FBL. Couldn't find anything online. It's probably worth $10 anyway, but it could be almost 25 more if it's FBL. Thanks.

 

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First of all, don't let the term "FULL BELL LINES" fool you!!!!! There is a LOT more to check than that, to receive that designation!! Go to: www.numismedia.com/coinguys/99sept30.shtml This should help you!!

 

thanks, but the pictures don't show up on the website so i'm not sure about the 3 wisps of hair. if you can get the pictures and post them, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have never heard about the hair for a FBL coin.....that is a new one on me, and I've collected FBL for a few years now.
Go to NGC or PCGS and do a search for FBL---they should have their guidlines on their site. I belive that PCGS looks at the bottom 3 lines whereas NGC looks at both bottom and top lines.

NOTE: Near the crack in the bell, and near both edges you can have light marks.....and both companies will still grade it FBL.

Speedy

 

I agree.
Pcgs gave this one the FBL.
Not sure NGC would.

 

Wow Larry, love the toning on that Franklin...

I guess that wouldn't qualify as a CAM as well?

 

thanks I'll look into sending it to pcgs because it has the hair and the bottom 3 lines so with them it would qualify based on what you said, speedy. I hope you're right!!

 

It needs to be MS65 FBL or better to cover the fees.
Other dates and mint marks may be much different.

 

is there a required amount of coins to send in in order to get it graded?

 

I am currently trying to put together a UNC FBL set of Franklins. Two weeks ago I had a guy at the coin shop tell me the same thing about the 3 wisps of hair. Never heard that before, but after looking at many, many Franklins, you can tell the stronger struck pieces by the well defined wisps of hair. Of course, this is not the only thing you look at to define I higher graded Franklin, but on a nicely struck coins, the 3 wisps of hair (if thats what you want to call them) really do stand out.

 

I have always wondered, how much does it cost for a coin to get graded by PCGS? Or does it depend on a lot of things?

 

Like Doug said---I would save your money. If you think the coin has a chance at 65 and have a few more coins to send then I would send it to NGC. If you can get the FBL grade at NGC you have a nicer coin. Collectors of Franklin Halves know that NGC is harder on FBL so the ones I know tend to look for those over PCGS.

Speedy

 

That's it. Check the PCGS site.

 

This is one of my favorite topics because I'm attempting to put together a complete set of 64FBL and have about 7 left they're always on my hunt list at shops or shows. Of course, the 53S in an MS64FBL will elude me forever until I win the lotto or sell my kidneys but I still look and had to laugh at one the other day. It was slabbed and attributed by SEGS as 75% full bell lines. I thought 'they're either full or not ... what's w/the percentages?'. Never saw that before. And, before you respond with 'buy the coin, not the slab...' .... IMHO it wasn't even 25% FBL or I'd have 'almost' considered it but in that condition it wasn't worth the $500 price tag the dealer had on it.

 

Regarding "75% FBL"...

I just started collecting Franklins and, while browsing Miller's Mint, saw coins designated AFBL, About (or Almost?) Full Bell Lines. Is this an official designation or a marketing tool?

Also, which of the books on Franklin Halves would you recommend for someone just getting into the collection?

 

Sort of like the 4.5 step thing for Jeff nickels, right? What people will do to sell coins.

Phoenix

 

idhair, I thought it needed 4 lines on top to be full. mine has almost the exact same detail except mine has about 2/3 of the fourth line on the upper set of lines