In coin grading, especially for Franklin Half Dollars (1948-1963), FBL stands for Full Bell Lines.
This designation refers to the quality of the strike on the reverse of the coin, specifically the horizontal lines banding the Liberty Bell design.
- For a Franklin Half Dollar to be designated FBL by grading services like PCGS or NGC, the horizontal lines at the base of the Liberty Bell must be complete, unbroken, and fully struck.
- Some sources suggest that the presence of a die crack in the bell lines doesn’t disqualify a coin from the FBL designation as long as the lines themselves are still full and complete.
- PCGS requires a minimum Sheldon grade of MS-60 for a coin to be eligible for the FBL designation, while NGC has no such minimum grade, but most FBL-designated coins are Mint State.
- Franklin Half Dollars with the FBL designation are considered more desirable and valuable to collectors due to the difficulty the Mint had in striking these coins with full and complete bell lines.
- This is especially true for certain dates and mint marks where FBL coins are particularly scarce, like the 1953-S [according to Newman Numismatic Portal].
- The scarcity and value of FBL coins are impacted by factors such as the short lifespan of the Franklin Half Dollar series and issues with softly struck coins.
In essence, the FBL designation signifies a superior strike quality for Franklin Half Dollars, increasing their desirability and value in the collector’s market.
What grade is a FBL coin?
PCGS Full Bell Lines Grading
For a Franklin Half Dollar to receive an FBL designation from the Professional Coin Grading Organization (PCGS), it must have a Sheldon grade of MS-60 or greater. Coins with grades AU-58 and below are not eligible for the designation.
What does FBL mean on a coin?
Great question! Well, FBL is a coin grading term. It refers to Full Bell Lines — those horizontal lines seen banding the Liberty Bell on the reverse of the Franklin half dollar coins.
What is the hardest Franklin half dollar to find?
The most challenging of all FBL Franklin half dollars is the 1953-S, which is a five-figure coin MS64-65 range or higher. Starting in 2023, we have created separate pricing categories for Franklin half dollars that are toned (colored surfaces) vs.