Full Bell Lines Guide
The information presented on this page is based on the research and study Greg Lewis has done over the years on full bell lines. The full bell line, or FBL, is a designation used to describe a Franklin half that has complete and uninterrupted bell lines. The designation is used as an indicator of strike quality. An FBL Franklin is thought to be a fully struck coin. However, there are always exceptions as with any series that uses strike designators, such as FB (full split bands) Mercury dimes, FH (full head) Standing Liberty quarters, or FT (full torch) Roosevelt dimes. The Liberty Bell on the reverse of a Franklin half dollar consists of two sets of bell lines, an upper set of three lines and lower set of two lines. Most collectors today, as well as PCGS and CAC, only consider the lower set when determining whether a Franklin is FBL or not. NGC, however, considers both upper and lower bell lines. The standard used on this site will be the former. For a coin to be designated FBL the lines must have complete separation with no major interruptions, such as marks, scrapes, cuts, gashes, etc. A Franklin will fall into one of three categories in regard to its FBL status; non-FBL, near/borderline-FBL, or FBL.
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Non-FBL
1951-S: This coin is clearly not FBL. There's no definition in the lines to the left of the crack. This is typical for S-mint Franklins.
1963: The gash at the far left and weakness to the left of the crack preclude this from FBL.
1955: The cut across the bell lines precludes this coin from FBL.
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Near-FBL
1952-D: There's slight weakness just to the left of the crack. This is an example that could go either way. PCGS has graded this coin MS65FBL.
1961-D: This coin just misses FBL due to the weakness left of the crack.
1959: This one is very close to FBL. There's some slight weakness about a third of the way across.
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FBL
1948: A no question FBL! Full and complete bell lines, no interruptions or weakness.
1957-D: The light cut and slight weakness just left of the crack isn't severe enough to knock this out of FBL.
1962: Another example of full and complete bell lines.
1963-D: A die crack across the bell lines will not impact a coin's FBL status.
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