Just looking for advice in general. But I also have some more specific things I'm wondering about. Such as, how do you determine FBL from not? Also, what would keep a Franklin from getting and MS65 grade specifically? What would lower it to a 64 or 63, and what should I be looking for in a 65 coin. Also, is it true than NGC's standards for FBL are stricter than those of PCGS? Thanks.
Frankies are tough to grade 'cause their are "flat" with no easy wear points. THey are unexciting too IMO.
Agreed. But someone I know has some really nice ones, and we're trying to figure out grades and values.
Hopefully he'll see this and help me out. The Cards just took the lead in the division back from the Reds after sweeping a 4-game series versus the Dodgers. woohoo!
First of all you need to know this - 1948-1959 Franklin, type 1 eagle (4 feathers to left of perch) Type 2 eagles appear on proofs from 1956 to 1963. A very few business strikes also appear with the type 2 eagle, from 1958 and 1959. -1960-1963, type 1 eagle It appears that the obverse hub slowly deteriorated until 1959, at which time a new hub was created. Besides the restoration of detail, the hub of 1960 cannot easily be distinguished from the hub of 1948. On the sharpest, earliest coins, Franklins's hair shows details throughout, with no "bald" areas. Then you need to study this - Grading Mint State Franklin Half Dollars NGC FBL - both the top and bottom sets of bell lines must be sharp and clear all the way across the coin, with no breaks except at the crack. PCGS FBL - only the bottom set of bell lines must be sharp and clear all the way across the coin, with no breaks except at the crack.
I was looking at the Heritage Archives for the best Franklin in my birth year of 1958 and came across this PF69 Cameo. Is that Longacre Doubling? http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1114&Lot_No=714#Photo
I would also recommend purchasing and studying "The Complete Guide to Franklin Half Dollars" by Rick Tomaska
One more thing that might be helpfull, if anyone knows of a site, would be pictures of FBL Franklins next to pictures of non-FBL Franklins...
