Gold & Silver Forum - what does FBL on Franklins mean?

from anacs website

Quote:

The ANACS Answer man...

Abstract: Dear ANACS, I have been collecting coins for only five months and have enjoyed picking up some particularly choice Franklin Halves. I was wondering, how are the Full Bell Lines determined? Are their any tips you can provide a �newbie� like me? Thank you very much, Paul S. Baltimore, MD

Hi Paul,

To receive a full bell line designation on your Franklin half dollar, ANACS requires that both the upper and lower sets of bell lines be complete and uninterrupted. Only light non-obtrusive hits or marks are tolerated in or on the bell lines, and any merging of the lines together would not receive a full bell line designation.

As a self-proclaimed newbie to coin collecting, I feel it is essential to recommend you own a current "Redbook," or as it is officially known as A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman and edited by Ken Bressett to get a good overview of each major coin series, coin values, and basic information to help you further your coin collecting pursuit. A copy of The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins edited by Ken Bressett is also a great book to learn how to grade circulated U.S. coins. An article on our website by our Senior numismatist Tim Hargis,Grading Tip of the Month 02/19/07, should also provide alot of insight to proper lighting, magnification, and other tips to help you understand many of the important aspects of coin grading.

Thanks and best of luck with your numismatic pursuit,

Andrew Vickery
ANACS Grader