What is your opinion of non-FBL Franklins? Is there decent collector interest/market for them? Of course, every price guide I have ever seen has FBL values MUCH greater than non-FBL values. I would imagine that non-FBLs could suffice when FBLs are cost prohibitive (i.e., 1953-S), but was wondering if (and why) anyone on CT has ever focused their collecting interests on higher grade non-FBLs. Should this be a case of buy the coin not the designation or are non-FBLs simply not worth it? Thanks, TC
Interesting question. I'm not sure if the FBL designation is worth so much more money to me personally. I'm interested to hear what others think...
You can find some nice examples of non-FBL Franklins for good prices, and a lot of them are just as appealing to the eye as the FBLs.
There is no coin that "is worth it". If you buy coins because you expect to make money on them - you will fail.
(Dimeguy looks around embarressed and with red cheeks) Is this thread aimed at me? I am in the process of putting together a MS60-63 set of Franklin halves. FBL in my opinion are similar to the FSB in the Merc set-they are nice but I think I can appreciate the coin without them. I hate focusing my collection specifically on one aspect of the artistic quality of the coin (bell lines for example). I feel I can gain a full appreciation of the artist's purpose without such details. Yes, when affordable, they are nice to have. Do I have a FBL yet? No, but I am sure I'll get one before my collection search is over. Is it worth collecting Franklins without FBL? To me it is and that is all that really matters since I'm the collector. I'm sure others will differ, but those are my opinions.
I know that coins are not good investments! What I meant to say is: Are they worth the effort of collecting them? In other words, do they represent "inferior" goods (Economics lingo for if you had more money you would buy less of them) to people or not? TC
From an aesthetic standpoint, sure they are worth it. But the question is, are they worth what it will cost to collect them ? If it is to you, or anyone else, more power to ya.
I had a great time building a nice looking set years ago but did not wish to put the money required, to go with FBL. It was just too much of a difference in price. We all have different goals.
When I started a MS Franklin Set, I was not concerned about the designation, only in getting nice original skinned in the range of MS-65. Once I completed the set of 35 coins, I then attempted to get all 35 in FBL designation. I gave up after the first 20 or so easy ones and the next 5 harder ones...and sporadically there after while still missing the next to impossible. If your going to collect Franklins with consistent Bell Line designations, choose NGC graded coins, they require all bell lines to be concise and unbroken or bridged over. To me this is the standard that is accepted through out the hobby. I'm not here to bash PCGS or any other grading service, but I have seen some pretty lame labeled FBL designations in those holders. Happy collecting
Full bell lines are an indication of full strike. If you want the best, then FBL it is. I think they are worth whatever the market dictates but the real worth is what you want in the coin.
Whatever floats your boat I say. For those that want a nice set of Franklins buy them. If you want a "registry" set spend a ton more and seek the FBLs. My question is how often does one really look at the FBLs other than to say they have them?
My first slabbed coin was a Franklin. Non-FBL, and I'll probably make a set of non-FBL coins down the road. I see the appeal of them, but don't think it's particularly special. Watch prices blow up right after I finish my non-FBL set now.
Not really. In fact most of the time the coins, of any denomination, that receive the special designation of FBL, FB, FT, FH, FS etc etc, do not have a full strike. Yes, the special designation is supposed to be an indicator of a well struck coin. But a coin with a full strike is a much more rare animal than a coin with the special designation. And oddly enough, because of the limitations used to define the requirements for the designations, many fully struck coins do not get the designation. Imagine if you will a Frankie that is fully struck, booming luster, nice original color, very clean - but, there is a hit on the bell lines that breaks one of them. This coin will not be assigned the FBL desination. But yet it is much, much nicer than the majority of those that did receive the FBL. The descriminating collector will be aware of this. And thus he will be able to obtain a better specimen for less money.
Isn't it also a factor of the die state versus full strike? I appreciate full details on coins, but have never liked to be limited to just one area of the design, like others have said. Having said that, US numismatics is very much a herd mentality. FBL will always be worth a premium and more "investment" grade. If someone carefully built a non-FBL set, with above average strikes, I would say its a mark of an advanced numismatist. I would just caution everyone that likely FBL's will continue to go up more than non-FBL examples.
I look for an overall attractive coin. If it happens to be FBL then fine, but I won't pay extra for it.
i think someone actually buys the coin and not the plastic coffin... to the op- it's your collection, not somebody else's collection. if you want FBL, look at the coin yourself and determine if it's FBL. many raw, and even earlier slabbed, coins are FBL and are not designated as such, and therefore can be purchased for a reasonable price. if you want your collection to be FBL, then go for it. the purpose of collecting is for your enjoyment, not somebody else's enjoyment.
