Bubba:
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Along with the Peace $1, some Commemoratives and the $2.50 and $5.00 Indian gold series, the Franklin Half Dollar has to be one of the most difficult series to grade.
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Zemo:
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You're right. This is primarily due to the low relief design on these coins, which offers broad expanses, especially on the Franklin, to accommodate contact marks and hairlines. The prime focal areas on this coin, Franklin's face and hair on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse, are like magnets when it comes to abrasions and coin-against-coin damage.
However, in grading the Franklin Half, as in any other series, the key element is EYE APPEAL. How nice does it look to you, first to the naked eye, and then under a loupe?
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Bubba:
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What factors comprise "eye appeal"?
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Zemo:
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The first is LUSTER...is it original and is it attractive? If either of these questions generate a "no" reply, you can pretty well forget about an MS-63 or higher grade.
The next two factors in the Franklin grading equation, CONTACT MARKS and STRIKE are almost equal.
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Bubba:
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The nod probably goes to contact marks (or the lack thereof) because they are so prevalent on this coin...there simply is no room for them to hide.
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Zemo:
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Strike is a factor on many dates and it is generally agreed that a coin in this series must be well (not necessarily fully) struck to garner MS-65 consideration. Dates such as the 1951-S, '52-S, '53-S and '54-S usually come weakly struck, in most cases actually from worn dies, and they often exhibit mushy or indistinct features.
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Bubba:
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What are the key features of a well struck Franklin?
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Zemo:
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The feature to look for on the obverse is the area just in front of the ear where there are 3 wisps of hair (see photo below). If these can be seen, and if there are "Full Bell Lines" on the reverse, you may declare the coin at least "well struck", and possibly "fully struck".
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Bubba:
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Please Zemo, explain "Full Bell Lines"?
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Zemo:
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First of all, for a Franklin to receive a Full Bell Line classification, the coin should be very well struck on both the obverse and the reverse, including some definition in the 3 wisps of hair in front of the ear. They need not necessarily be full.
On the reverse, the two sets of bell lines at the bottom of the bell should be full, with all 7 incuse lines, especially the three at the bottom, complete with no breaks (see photo below). The base of the bell has a ragged edge that interrupts the bottom incuse line just over the left side of the clapper. The grading services are aware of this and offer a little "give" in this particular area when assigning FBL designations.
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Bubba:
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So, the Franklin Half Dollar is one of the most difficult coins to grade because of its design.
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Zemo:
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Yes, and it's one that's yet to receive the interest and respect it may deserve.
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