PCGS Grading Standards On Franklins

forgive the newbie question. what does that mean? FBL that is.

oh, thank you.

I think you are correct about NGC being more stringent. I bought a 61-D in an old PCGS green holder. It must be from the late 80's because it doesn't have the hologram and is a "rattler". The coin is clearly FBL, but wasn't as graded as such and I recall reading that the designation wasn't used until Rick Tomaska started advocating for it with the grading companies. I just wish I knew what holders to look for that would be pre-FBL grading standards.

I agree that NGC is more strict. I just got a new book on Franklin's and this is how PCGS and NGC grade FBL.

PCGS defines FBLs as follows : Term applied to Franklin half dollars when the lower sets of bell lines are complete (FBL). Very slight disturbance of several lines are acceptable.

NGC defines FBLs as follows : The Full Bell Line designation is a designation that NGC applies when both the top and bottom bell lines are struck fully and without interruption