The Franklin Half Dollar

 The Franklin Half Dollar is a coin that was minted by the United States Mint from 1948 to 1963. It was designed by John R. Sinnock, who was the Chief Engraver of the Mint at the time. The coin was created to commemorate one of America's founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin.

The Franklin Half Dollar features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the obverse (front) side of the coin. Franklin was a polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was known for his contributions as a writer, inventor, scientist, and statesman. The obverse of the coin also includes the word "Liberty" above Franklin's portrait and the phrase "In God We Trust" below.

The reverse (back) side of the Franklin Half Dollar depicts the Liberty Bell. Above the bell, there is the phrase "United States of America," and below it, the denomination "Half Dollar" and the mint mark.

The coin was minted in 90% silver and 10% copper, with a diameter of 30.6 mm and a weight of 12.5 grams. It was struck at several U.S. Mint facilities, including Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

The Franklin Half Dollar was introduced to replace the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, which had been in circulation since 1916. The design of the Franklin Half Dollar was chosen through a public competition organized by the Mint. Sinnock's design was selected, although it faced some controversy and criticism due to the portrayal of Franklin, particularly the resemblance to a Communist leader, which was alleged by some.

The coin was first minted in 1948 and remained in production until 1963. In 1964, the Kennedy Half Dollar was introduced following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the Franklin Half Dollar was phased out of circulation.

Today, the Franklin Half Dollar is highly sought after by coin collectors and numismatists. Its design, historical significance, and limited mintage make it a popular choice for collectors.

Full Bell Lines

The term "FBL" in relation to Franklin Half Dollars stands for "Full Bell Lines." It is a grading designation used by coin collectors and experts to describe the condition and quality of the coin's design on the reverse side, specifically the lines on the Liberty Bell.

When examining a Franklin Half Dollar, collectors pay close attention to the horizontal lines on the Liberty Bell design on the reverse side. A coin with Full Bell Lines (FBL) exhibits complete and unbroken lines across the entire width of the bell, including the clapper. These lines should be sharp and distinct.

The presence of Full Bell Lines is considered desirable and adds value to the coin because it indicates that the strike was strong and the details of the design are well-preserved. A Franklin Half Dollar with Full Bell Lines is generally considered to be of higher quality and more visually appealing than those without.

The designation "FBL-64" specifically refers to a Franklin Half Dollar graded as "Choice Uncirculated" (CU) or "Mint State-64" (MS-64) by a professional grading service, such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). In this case, it means that the coin is in excellent condition, with minor imperfections visible under magnification. It retains a significant amount of its original mint luster and has a strong strike, including Full Bell Lines on the Liberty Bell design.

Collectors often seek out Franklin Half Dollars with Full Bell Lines, especially those graded as FBL-64 or higher, due to their aesthetic appeal and numismatic value.