PCGS grades only the bottom set of bell lines. NGC grades both the upper bell lines and the lower bell lines. So make a guess for each set of bell lines. (Example: Coin 1 PCGS-Yes NGC-NO)
Here come my WAGs... PCGS first, NGC second 1 = Yes, No 2 = No, No 3 = No, No 4 = No, No 5 = No, No 6 = No, No 7 = No, No 8 = Yes, No 9 = Yes, Yes 10 = Yes, No 11 = No, No 12 = No, No 13 = No, No 14 = No, No 15 = No, No 16 = Haha, in your dreams...
Not being (or ever have been) a TPG grader, I can't say what all goes into the FBL designation. However, Rick Tomaska makes a very interesting point on page 15 of his "The Complete Guide To Franklin Half Dollars". In his book, he says, "The purpose [of FBL] is to designate a coin that comes closest to exhibiting all the design detail originally intended for the coin." He goes on to say that bell lines can be weak if all the other design details are fully struck. Conversely, weak Obverse hair details can prevent a FBL designation regardless of the appearance of the bell lines. He says that's true for Mercury dime "Full band" or Standing Liberty quarter "Full head" designations. It's certainly an interesting way to look at the subject.
Yea he put lots of choices in same and didn't even number them all him self. But I think this will be interesting when he shows the grades.
But the TPGs don't see it that way. They use their own criteria, and only those criteria, for all of the special designations. And as long as the coin meets those criteria, regardless of how weak the strike is elsewhere on the coin, the coin will get the special designation. But I do agree with the idea that none of the special designations are actually indicative of a well struck coin, let alone a fully struck coin. David Bowers has written extensively, and repeatedly, on this subject. Trying to point out to collectors that they could often have a much higher quality coin, a better struck coin, by paying attention to the overall quality of strike than they will by attention to the assigned special designations. And have that higher quality coin for less money than they will pay for one with the designation. Alas, too few people pay attention to what they can see with their own eyes and instead pay attention to what is written on the slab label.
