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Message:: [QUOTE="The_Cave_Troll, post: 224090, member: 1674"]Keep looking for those raw FBL coins and do NOT pay for one in a holder!  In the last couple of months I've seen 2 that should absolutely be called FBL that after a number of submissions, just won't get into an FBL holder.  Plus I've seen a couple (view the Heritage archives) that have sold in FBL slabs, that have NO business being called FBL. Basically, as it became obvious that the 53-S FBL population would be quite low the reputable TPG's (read PCGS/NGC) began to be more and more lax on what would qualify for that date as an FBL, until there were a few coins in the population, even if those coins shouldn't have qualified.  As collectors realized that the FBL designation was too loose, combined with the retracting FBL market over the last year or so, they have complained and the TPG's have responded by seriously tightening the standards.  For a coin to get the FBL designation over the last few months it would have to be a drop-dead lock FBL coin. Bottom line, there are some near miss 53-S FBL's out there raw (or not attributed on their holders) that can be had for a very tiny fraction of the cost of a certified 53-S FBL.  And if you do find one (they really are very scarce) don't waste your money trying to get it certified right now, just hold it until the grading on them gets a little looser again and submit it then. TCT[/QUOTE]