Do you think the scratch at the far right disqualifies this a a FBL? It is a really nice coin in general. (The obverse scratches are not normally obvious.)
While I believe that technically anything that disrupts the lines would disqualify a FBL designation I think it might pass on this one spot as the gouge is actually above the lines and what appears to be discoloration only is present in the lines. However as Sal mentioned above there are other marks, mainly nearer the center of the bell that actually do cut through the lines.
Difficult to know which scratch you're referring to. Regardless, I dislike the way they qualify these. It's supposed to be a strike designation. Whatever marks it got outside the striking chamber have nothing to do with how well it was struck. Yours is well struck but not FBL the way they define it.
Unfortunately I have to agree with the consensus. The two bottom single scratch lines and the top cluster of scratches I believe would preclude any FBL designation. The reason I opened with 'unfortunately' is because it is a very nice strike, as @KBBPLL stated.
It's not full. The midsection is always the weakest part. When they don't go through there these don't get the nod.
Well, I guess I'll be the dissenter on this one. I hate making assessments based on pictures, & based on your first pic, I would say definitely no. But based on your second pic I would say maybe yes; I have seen much worse in plastic that were actually designated FBL, so... However, the grade will suffer from so many dings. Still, a nice specimen. I would like to see it in hand. JMHO
The scratch on the left has nothing to do with the bell lines. Does this coin have FBL? No, the bottom two bell lines are not complete.
Thanks to everyone for your input! This whole FBL thing is nerve wracking. A couple of months ago, I submitted three Franklins to ANACS for the express purpose of checking my judgement of FBLs against the experts. One was a no-brainer FBL, but the other two were iffy, I thought. One had the weakness in the middle, and one had good lines marred by a ding in the lower lines. i expected one or two to not qualify, but all three came back as FBL. Worse, I see examples in Heritage Auction's archives that look dubious to me but a PCGS grader called FBL! My head hurts
They're inconsistent. But more often that not, the middle is there, forget about the ends. It's like the bands on the mercs, or what we used to call, "full torch." The deal maker/breaker there is the middle of the center band, too.
Yep. This is the FBL that surprised me. The lines are there, but weak. A slightly better angle shows them better. This is the best pic I have so far.
