Hi All This is still me trying to learn grading and I feel like I am getting better but have trouble with Franklin halves because they all look "soft" to me. Not a mirror finish on this but I don't see any wear - Could this be AU? Also - tried to take better pics this time!
This is not my series or specialty, but in my opinion I would say yes, it has potential to be AU, at the very least a sharp EF45. I know what you mean about Franklin’s looking “soft”.
A different coin but I also have this 62 that I THINK is a FBL? Again it's SO HARD to tell with this series for me... Also FBL is just the bottom 2 lines correct?
I could be mistaken but I've always thought that all the lines have to be full in order to be designated FBL. IMHO your coin is not FBL
Look at the amount of luster remaining. Franklin's aren't my series, but some coins were never fully struck anyway. Rotate the coin under a light, if most of the luster remains, especially in the fields, just the high points rubbed, you're in AU territory. If luster just remains in the protected areas, the lettering, etc. you're in the XF range.If you can find some certified coins to look at, that will help. My understanding is that PCGS only looks at the lower lines, while NGC requires all the lines to be full to receive the FBL designation. Really one must look at more than just the lower bell to evaluate the fullness of strike.
Look at the discoloration on the high points, specifically his cheek and jawbone. Those areas are where the wear will occur first - and this coin shows wear. Thus, it is AU. It depends on who you ask. PCGS only counts the bottom 2 lines, NGC counts all the lines. NGC is considered much stricter on FBL, and collectors value their designation more. I used to collect Franklin halves and built a very nice FBL set - and I will tell you, both sets of lines must be complete and full for me to call it FBL.
This coin has a really nice, full set of bell lines. This is an extremely good strike, and is one of the best sets of bell lines you'll see. The date, 1951D, usually comes well struck, which is why I show this example. If you are really interested in learning more about FBL Franklins, you can check out the archived version of my award winning set, here: https://coins.www.collectors-societ...awards/WinningSetDetail.aspx?AwardSetID=14591
I appreciate the reply. I feel like my eye is getting better so I’m glad most agree this is in the AU camp.
