Full Bell Lines on Franklin Halves.

One of our members posted this FACT:

cpm9ball said: ↑
Yes, there is a difference between the PCGS and NGC attributions. To get the "FBL" from PCGS requires only the bottom set to be intact. NGC is tougher, requiring both sets to be intact. Chris

I'm very interested in what members think about this situation? AFAIK, for the FBL designation in the past, both sets of lines were necessary on the bell and some Franklin "purists" even insisted that the wisp of hair on the obverse be distinct. While that would indicate a truly well struck Franklin, I could never understand what that had to do with the lines on the coin's reverse. I believe the "purists" have lost this battle.

When things seemed settled on just the strike on the reverse, PCGS decided to screw with this long held standard in order to be able to grade more FBL coins. What say you?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

At the.moment, I am a Franklin collector, and will be untill I pass or am satisfied with the completed set. Do I care what either NGC or PCGS think about the bell lines on my coins or anyone's for that matter? No, in fact, I only care about what I think about the bell lines on my coins. As of now, I have resisted the OCD tendencies to count them, but who knows, that may change, it has before.

 

I have heard that before, and the PCGS website does state the lower lines.

I'm fine with the lower line standard. That is almost always the one missing

 

I gave my Franklin Proof Sets to my son but I have about twenty culled from circulation in various grades so I didn't vote. However I came across some photos of Franklin halves and am posting them as they may help this discussion:

http://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=franklin+halves+full+bell+lines+versus+non-full+bell+lines

 

Here is something to consider. As a new collector, I had the same attitude. No one is going to influence what I collect/like/or the criteria I use to grade my coins. After all, it's my hobby. I still feel this way; however, I've matured oops:) - no my thoughts on what I purchase and collect have matured. I've learned that what I think DOES make a difference when I buy or sell. So, if two sets of lines is one type of condition for FBL that's going to be what I want.

 

Why not FBL on 1976 bicentennial ikes???? IKE lives matter too!!!

 

question for you, and you might actually know the answer - can you define "the past" for us ? I guess I want to ask 2 questions really: 1 - your comment seems to imply that at some point in the past that PCGS required both sets of bell lines to be clear, distinct, and unbroken. Is that correct, yesand if so when did PCGS change their requirement ? sometime between the printing of their grading guide books.

I'm asking that particular question because for as long as I can remember the PCGS requirements have always been the same. I cannot recall there ever being a change. But if you can, I'd honestly like to know about it.

Second question, can you recall when, in what year, the TPGs first started using the special designations ? And not just for Frankies, but all of them ? Nobody I've ever asked has ever been able to answer that for me. As far as I can recall they have always used them. That's what I think. I know the step designations were changed during this period. I can remember when they started with Rosies, but that's the only one. I'll find out.

 

For what it's worth: When I was purchasing Franklins, I would look for completeness in both sets of lines. I did look at both PCGS and NGC coins when making decisions about a purchase.

 

I just love my proof accented hair Ikes with full bell lines!

 

Ike will forever be this country's best post World War II President. I like Ike!

 

In the early 1990's PCI added fractions of steps: 5 1/2, etc!
ICG used FS, then 5S, and now has moved to 6S. I think all this is driven by the collectors who want the best + a little extra $$$ for the TPGS's.

There was a time when Semi-PL was used. It is gone now. Split Bands has also disappeared.

 

Everyone has their own standards, there's a Franklin collector in our club that if a bag mark crosses the bell lines he doesn't consider them full bell lines. Now that's really being strict.

I really believe the TPGs have lightened up on their standards. Try sending in a cracked opened green label PCGS and I'll bet it grades higher.

 

Same as NGC:
https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/549/

"The Full Bell Line designation is a designation that NGC applies when both the top and bottom bell lines are struck fully and without interruption. Less stringent guidelines are used by other services."

Here's one of my FBL Franklins from my last submission:

 

No that is not being strict. That is the correct criteria for NOT FBL!

 

It's like anything else, some will go higher some will go lower but most will come back exactly the same.

 

I have both and pcgs. traded Franklin's labeled FBL and FL and some are so chewed up on lower lines I cannot make heads nor tails of standards. The worst at best need refunds. Sad ebay buys I did just buying the label.
For a perfect personal set only way is buy in hand. Lesson learned(again, for the umpteenth time).
FBL should be as true as it says....FULL

 

Buy the coin...not the holder!