Hi All I found this Franklin and the back is really strongly struck - YOu can pretty much read the lettering on the bell. Hard to photo but would this get an FBL? Thinking of trying to build an FBL set of these Thanks!
The Liberty Bell on the reverse of a Franklin half dollar consists of two sets of bell lines, an upper set of three lines and lower set of two lines. Most collectors today, as well as PCGS and CAC, only consider the lower set when determining whether a Franklin is FBL or not. NGC, however, considers both upper and lower bell lines. http://www.franklinlover.yolasite.com/full-bell-lines-guide.php
From the images provided I'm not seeing it on either standard. Please don't misunderstand me....as I have a complete collection of Franklin halfs. But this series needs to be top notch specimens to be worth anything. Working shows I've seen dealers in fact 25 at one show turn down buying or even making an offer on a complete set of MS coins. The guy asked me why no one was interested....fact of the atter no one wanted them to begin with for their inventory or didn't want to make an offer that would insult the owner.
I get that - I realize it isn't as highly regarded as many other sets, I just think there is a charm to them! Here are more - outside of the 2X2
This coin is really close. However, the weakness in these two areas will probably prevent it from getting FBL:
I feel like part of it is because many collectors had these in circulation in their lifetime so they don’t feel exotic? Also they don’t really have a ton of rare versions - FBL aside. Franklin wAs one of histories most interesting people so it does shock me a little.
