GTG: 48 Franklin half

Full Bell Lines are not like Full Steps or Full Bands, they are allowed to have marks that interrupt the lines as long as the continuity of the lines are not disturbed. The area in the white, then continuity is certainly intact, whereas the area circled in red is more problematic. That said, I've seen plenty of Franklins with these types of marks still get FBL from PCGS. I have typed their grading standard below taken from THE PCGS OFFICIAL GUIDE TO COIN GRADING AND COUNTERFEIT DETECTION.

"When the bottom set of lines across the Liberty Bell is complete and uninterrupted, a regular strike Mint State 60 or above Franklin half dollar receives the designation of Full Bell Lines (FBL). If these lines are obscured my marks, strike, planchet defects, or other sources, the coin will not receive the FBL designation. A few marks across the lines will not prevent a coin from receiving this designaiton, as long as the continuity of the lines is not disturbed. Multiple marks, scratches, scrapes, or other detractions that interfere with the continuity of the lines will prevent a specimen from receiving the FBL designation. Slight incompleteness of the bell lines, immediately to the left or right of the crack that traverses the bell, will not prevent a coin from receiving the FBL designaiton."

 

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Thanks, I have a bunch of Franklin half dollars to re-evaluate the bell lines then!

 

PCGS and NGC have different standards for determining the FBL designation.

 

Yep NGC both set of lines are looked at and PCGS just the bottom set.

 

I'm saying ms63 no FBL designation. Nice tone, but too much bag wear in my opinion.

 

MS64+ I want it, and it wants to be a FBL but it has that mark.