Franklin Half Instructional Series #21: 1956P Half Dollar
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Franklin Half Instructional Series #21: 1956P Half Dollar.
This is the 21st installment of the Franklin Half Instructional Series. Hopefully those of you who are interested in Franklins will add your own observations and pictures. By the end of the series we should wind up with a pretty comprehensive study of the Franklin series, along with some nice pictures as well. And who knows, maybe some other folks will do the same for other series!
Sources for this series generally include “An Analysis of Gem Franklins” by Jack Ehrmantraut and “The Complete Guide for Franklin Halves” by Rick Tomaska – two books which I feel every serious Franklin collector should read
1956P
This is second of two “only child” halves of the series. Like its predecessor in 1955, the 1956 Franklin was only minted in Philadelphia. Already sporting a tired look from worn master dies, the strike quality on this issue is less than average, with only about 15-30% of the coins being Full Bell Line, and even less, sporting the combined characteristics that you look for in truly well struck coins; the Full Bell Lines, the strong Pass and Stow, and the three wisps of hair by Franklin’s ear.
Though lackluster in general appearance, the 1956P generally sports lower than average strike characteristics with better than average luster. Most gem pieces seem to come from mint sets. This is one of the first three years, however, where for some reason, be it the mint packaging, or the way the planchets were treated, that you tended to have coins with magnificent toning on them. Coins from this date can be quite spectacular, with splashes of deep purples, blues, greens, burgundy, and golden orange. Relatively common at one time, by now most of these beautifully toned pieces have gone into hiding in some of the top collections around. A typical original roll will tend to be “baggy” and water spotted. Most of the coins will not have full bell lines, either because of handling marks or because of weak strikes. Luster tended to be above average in these pieces. Brilliant coins can be found occasionally as well, though water spots can be a problem with some of the issue. As in 1955, brilliant examples in grades over MS65 are hard to come by for the reasons mentioned. Thus, most of the gem pieces, coming from mint sets, are toned. High grade white coins would be highly sought after by specialist.
Current population numbers from PCGS read as follows:
MS63 and lower 116 in non FBL and 56 in FBL
MS64 - 779 in non FBL and 1447 in FBL
MS65 - 1232 in non FBL and 782 in FBL
MS66 - 521 in non FBL and 559 in FBL
MS67 – 9 in non FBL and 9 in FBL
One of the things you notice right away about the population reports on this coin is the number of MS66 and MS67 coins available from this year – far exceeding any of the other years. The 1956P half is one of the easiest to find in MS66 or MS66FBL. Most of these coins came from mint sets, so they will generally be toned to some degree. White pieces are very tough to find in these higher grades. Even though the issue has a relatively low mintage of 4,032,000, the fact that the coins are easily available in higher grades tends to depress the prices of this issue. For type set fans I would not recommend anything below an MS65 specimen, which even with Full Bell Lines would not generally fetch over $75-80. For the Franklin collectors, an MS66FBL piece should be the rule of the day. Select pieces with pleasing toning, or even radiant toning if one can be found. Generally coins in MS66FBL will start at about $125 or so for brown/gray specimens, and go up from there into the 4 figures, depending on the color. One thing that collectors should keep in mind is that there is a lot of “technical grading” that takes place in this issue of the series. A drab grey or brown coin may warrant an MS66FBL grade, but in actuality be rather bland looking. Stay away from these coins as their upside is very limited. MS67 and 67FBL coins, when available will most likely start in the low 4 figures and move up in accordance with their particular dazzle of colors. Most of these are wildly toned mint set examples.
For more information on this date you can look the coin up in the Coinfacts page, which also sites significant sales appearances over the past few years. This information can be found HERE. I will continue to post the COINFACTS site for reference, but I am in no way promoting their products or services.
The 1956P is the last of the “only child” halves, and the first to sport blazing luster and colors in significant numbers. 1956-58 issues are some of the most vividly colored and brilliant coins in the entire series. Have fun collecting Frankies!
This is the 21st installment of the Franklin Half Instructional Series. Hopefully those of you who are interested in Franklins will add your own observations and pictures. By the end of the series we should wind up with a pretty comprehensive study of the Franklin series, along with some nice pictures as well. And who knows, maybe some other folks will do the same for other series!
Sources for this series generally include “An Analysis of Gem Franklins” by Jack Ehrmantraut and “The Complete Guide for Franklin Halves” by Rick Tomaska – two books which I feel every serious Franklin collector should read
1956P
This is second of two “only child” halves of the series. Like its predecessor in 1955, the 1956 Franklin was only minted in Philadelphia. Already sporting a tired look from worn master dies, the strike quality on this issue is less than average, with only about 15-30% of the coins being Full Bell Line, and even less, sporting the combined characteristics that you look for in truly well struck coins; the Full Bell Lines, the strong Pass and Stow, and the three wisps of hair by Franklin’s ear.
Though lackluster in general appearance, the 1956P generally sports lower than average strike characteristics with better than average luster. Most gem pieces seem to come from mint sets. This is one of the first three years, however, where for some reason, be it the mint packaging, or the way the planchets were treated, that you tended to have coins with magnificent toning on them. Coins from this date can be quite spectacular, with splashes of deep purples, blues, greens, burgundy, and golden orange. Relatively common at one time, by now most of these beautifully toned pieces have gone into hiding in some of the top collections around. A typical original roll will tend to be “baggy” and water spotted. Most of the coins will not have full bell lines, either because of handling marks or because of weak strikes. Luster tended to be above average in these pieces. Brilliant coins can be found occasionally as well, though water spots can be a problem with some of the issue. As in 1955, brilliant examples in grades over MS65 are hard to come by for the reasons mentioned. Thus, most of the gem pieces, coming from mint sets, are toned. High grade white coins would be highly sought after by specialist.
Current population numbers from PCGS read as follows:
MS63 and lower 116 in non FBL and 56 in FBL
MS64 - 779 in non FBL and 1447 in FBL
MS65 - 1232 in non FBL and 782 in FBL
MS66 - 521 in non FBL and 559 in FBL
MS67 – 9 in non FBL and 9 in FBL
One of the things you notice right away about the population reports on this coin is the number of MS66 and MS67 coins available from this year – far exceeding any of the other years. The 1956P half is one of the easiest to find in MS66 or MS66FBL. Most of these coins came from mint sets, so they will generally be toned to some degree. White pieces are very tough to find in these higher grades. Even though the issue has a relatively low mintage of 4,032,000, the fact that the coins are easily available in higher grades tends to depress the prices of this issue. For type set fans I would not recommend anything below an MS65 specimen, which even with Full Bell Lines would not generally fetch over $75-80. For the Franklin collectors, an MS66FBL piece should be the rule of the day. Select pieces with pleasing toning, or even radiant toning if one can be found. Generally coins in MS66FBL will start at about $125 or so for brown/gray specimens, and go up from there into the 4 figures, depending on the color. One thing that collectors should keep in mind is that there is a lot of “technical grading” that takes place in this issue of the series. A drab grey or brown coin may warrant an MS66FBL grade, but in actuality be rather bland looking. Stay away from these coins as their upside is very limited. MS67 and 67FBL coins, when available will most likely start in the low 4 figures and move up in accordance with their particular dazzle of colors. Most of these are wildly toned mint set examples.
For more information on this date you can look the coin up in the Coinfacts page, which also sites significant sales appearances over the past few years. This information can be found HERE. I will continue to post the COINFACTS site for reference, but I am in no way promoting their products or services.
The 1956P is the last of the “only child” halves, and the first to sport blazing luster and colors in significant numbers. 1956-58 issues are some of the most vividly colored and brilliant coins in the entire series. Have fun collecting Frankies!
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Comments
I may end up with a bunch of these in my collection due to you, ya dang pug!
"Senorita HepKitty"
"I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
That is a gorgeous Frankie, Lucy.
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
Great info...you really tempt me to get into collecting Franklins!
Lucy..super Frankie in your pic!
They call me "Pack the Ripper"
Although there are many neat examples of this date , in my 20 years of searching- i never really found just the "right" coin for my set .
In 1992 , i foolishly returned a monster colored piece to R. Tomaska he had sent me on approval. I was a nieve dope in those days , and i thought his asking price of 250$ for the PCGS 66 was too HIGH !! I would gladly pay 500+ for that one today !
09/07/2006
<< <i>I love that "mint set blue" toning on Lucy's Frankie. >>
Well you know, some people, guys in particular, don't like Blue Frankies.
Dang, that ain't no 56. Got another one around here somewhere....let's see....aw fugetaboutit.
..........it was the year 1956 and it was in a jungle !!
here's my contribution, my best 1956 (raw, of course
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I think it's my favorite Franklin that I have:
It's "only" a 64, but the color and surfaces are sooooooooooo nice and smoooooooooooooth
Here is my MS-64 FBL.
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
<< <i>I have had the pleasure of seeing xpipe's 1956 in hand (and lived to tell about it!). It is manly! >>
Must..... Resist........ The URGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
In Memory of Frank...
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Take Care, Dave