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Franklin Half Instructional Series #20: 1955 Half Dollar.
FC57Coins
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Franklin Half Instructional Series #20: 1955 Half Dollar.
This issue of the Franklin Instructional Series is dedicated to our very own COINGUY1, for it was his great - uncle, B. Max Mehl, who was one of the first promoters of Franklins, bringing the “Bugs Bunny” Franklin to the attention of the general public.
This is the 20th 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
1955
This year marks something of a hiatus in the minting of Franklins. Whereas in prior years, collectors had a choice to acquire coins from at least two, if not all three mints, this year, just like 1956, they had to make due with just the Philadelphia issue. In addition to this, 1955 has the second lowest mintage in the series, 2,528,181, and lowest circulating mintage if you take away the 378,200 proofs and 49,656 which were included in mint sets, thereby leaving just a hair over 2 million going out in circulation. In spite of the low mintage, the 1955 issue doesn’t stand out very much strike wise. Most coins issued for circulation tend to be somewhat better struck than their 1954P counterparts, with about 1/3rd of the mintage being FBL, but the issue tended to be baggy, so finding a jewel of an example is somewhat difficult. The 1955 issue did have one error which had been seen in previous issues, but this particular one got hyped up. B. Max Mehl apparently took a liking to a die clash that occurred with one pair of dies, and thus was born the “Bugs Bunny Franklin”. The Bugs Bunny is more of a curiosity than anything else, and is usually more attractive to non-collectors of Franklins than to Franklin specialists. Frank M. Zapushek wrote a pretty comprehensive piece about BUGS BUNNY FRANKLINS which pretty much tells you everything you wanted to know about these pieces.
Like the 1954P, most gem pieces seem to come from mint sets, however, they tended to be of the dull gray or brown type. Brightly colored examples such as those seen in 1956, or pure white examples in MS65 and above are extremely scarce. A typical original roll will tend to be “baggy” though not as water spotted as other issues from 1953 to 1963 The strike tends to be mediocre to poor in my opinion. This is due primarily to the wear of the master die had started wearing down since 1950. As mentioned before, only about 1/3rd of the coins. Most original rolls will yield coins with lots of bag marks and scrapes on the cheek of Franklin’s bust, the most vulnerable spot on the coin. Brilliant coins in MS65 or better grades are extremely hard to find, as most of the gem pieces came from original mint sets and thus were toned.
Current population numbers from PCGS read as follows:
MS63 and lower 189 in non FBL and 139 in FBL
MS64 - 808 in non FBL and 2522 in FBL
MS65 - 546 in non FBL and 822 in FBL
MS66 - 56 in non FBL and 113 in FBL
MS67 - 0
MS64 and 65 population numbers pretty much mirror the numbers for the 1954P, and prices are about the same. MS64FBL coins can generally be found at very reasonable prices, usually below $50 per coin. Similarly, MS65FBLs are plentiful and can fetch anywhere from $100 - $150, depending on the strike characteristics. A premium will be placed on pristine white or beautifully toned specimens of this issue. MS66 coins although less available than other grades for obvious reasons, may be had, when found, for around the $300-$500 range. This grade as most other gem grade Franklins, has seen a settling of prices due to increased quantities being graded. Pristine white examples or those with beautiful toning are very rare. As mentioned before, the Bugs Bunny issue is more or less a curiosity for Franklin collectors, but in MS65FBL there have been at least 2 sales that I know of topping $500..
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 1955P is something of an orphan piece in the series. It is the first of only two years which doesn’t have a counterpart from another mint. It’s strike characteristics are less than spectacular, and color on this issue is hard to come by in the radiance shown by the three years that will follow it.. Don’t settle for less than MS64FBL in this issue, as they can be had relatively easily. Have fun collecting Frankies!
Bugs Bunny Franklin:
This issue of the Franklin Instructional Series is dedicated to our very own COINGUY1, for it was his great - uncle, B. Max Mehl, who was one of the first promoters of Franklins, bringing the “Bugs Bunny” Franklin to the attention of the general public.
This is the 20th 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
1955
This year marks something of a hiatus in the minting of Franklins. Whereas in prior years, collectors had a choice to acquire coins from at least two, if not all three mints, this year, just like 1956, they had to make due with just the Philadelphia issue. In addition to this, 1955 has the second lowest mintage in the series, 2,528,181, and lowest circulating mintage if you take away the 378,200 proofs and 49,656 which were included in mint sets, thereby leaving just a hair over 2 million going out in circulation. In spite of the low mintage, the 1955 issue doesn’t stand out very much strike wise. Most coins issued for circulation tend to be somewhat better struck than their 1954P counterparts, with about 1/3rd of the mintage being FBL, but the issue tended to be baggy, so finding a jewel of an example is somewhat difficult. The 1955 issue did have one error which had been seen in previous issues, but this particular one got hyped up. B. Max Mehl apparently took a liking to a die clash that occurred with one pair of dies, and thus was born the “Bugs Bunny Franklin”. The Bugs Bunny is more of a curiosity than anything else, and is usually more attractive to non-collectors of Franklins than to Franklin specialists. Frank M. Zapushek wrote a pretty comprehensive piece about BUGS BUNNY FRANKLINS which pretty much tells you everything you wanted to know about these pieces.
Like the 1954P, most gem pieces seem to come from mint sets, however, they tended to be of the dull gray or brown type. Brightly colored examples such as those seen in 1956, or pure white examples in MS65 and above are extremely scarce. A typical original roll will tend to be “baggy” though not as water spotted as other issues from 1953 to 1963 The strike tends to be mediocre to poor in my opinion. This is due primarily to the wear of the master die had started wearing down since 1950. As mentioned before, only about 1/3rd of the coins. Most original rolls will yield coins with lots of bag marks and scrapes on the cheek of Franklin’s bust, the most vulnerable spot on the coin. Brilliant coins in MS65 or better grades are extremely hard to find, as most of the gem pieces came from original mint sets and thus were toned.
Current population numbers from PCGS read as follows:
MS63 and lower 189 in non FBL and 139 in FBL
MS64 - 808 in non FBL and 2522 in FBL
MS65 - 546 in non FBL and 822 in FBL
MS66 - 56 in non FBL and 113 in FBL
MS67 - 0
MS64 and 65 population numbers pretty much mirror the numbers for the 1954P, and prices are about the same. MS64FBL coins can generally be found at very reasonable prices, usually below $50 per coin. Similarly, MS65FBLs are plentiful and can fetch anywhere from $100 - $150, depending on the strike characteristics. A premium will be placed on pristine white or beautifully toned specimens of this issue. MS66 coins although less available than other grades for obvious reasons, may be had, when found, for around the $300-$500 range. This grade as most other gem grade Franklins, has seen a settling of prices due to increased quantities being graded. Pristine white examples or those with beautiful toning are very rare. As mentioned before, the Bugs Bunny issue is more or less a curiosity for Franklin collectors, but in MS65FBL there have been at least 2 sales that I know of topping $500..
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 1955P is something of an orphan piece in the series. It is the first of only two years which doesn’t have a counterpart from another mint. It’s strike characteristics are less than spectacular, and color on this issue is hard to come by in the radiance shown by the three years that will follow it.. Don’t settle for less than MS64FBL in this issue, as they can be had relatively easily. Have fun collecting Frankies!
Bugs Bunny Franklin:
0
Comments
Thanks!
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Here is a pic of my MS-64 FBL.
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
I was curious how the "Bugs Bunny" error came about. I recently purchased a original unopened shotgun roll of 55's from a local show.I found 3 Bugsy's inside.Getting ready to send them to NGC.They look to have a shot at 65.
Randy
The Whisker Cheek Collection - Top 50 Peace VAM Registry
Landmark Buffalo Collection
Hell, I don't need to exercise.....I get enough just pushing my luck.
<< <i>I was curious how the "Bugs Bunny" error came about. I recently purchased a original unopened shotgun roll of 55's from a local show.I found 3 Bugsy's inside.Getting ready to send them to NGC.They look to have a shot at 65. >>
If you look at the picture below, the Bugs Bunny was the result of a pair of dies clashing and imprinting their image on the other. The result was that part of the eagle's wing is imprinted on the obverse, thus giving the bust a "toothy" look. Examples of this error exist for 1951 and 54 as well. But it's been mostly documented for the 1955 issue.
Here's my finest example of the date, i took the coin out of the album to take the pics (yes it's raw
a few contact marks away from GEM! but nice enough
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
The minors were gorgeous as well.
Notice how the P mint coins display the heaviest toning, followed by the D, and S card.
I've seen that in vitually every 55 mint set I've ever looked at. I've busted up a lot of them.
This one's Half and D mint quarters are slated for PCGS.
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
nice 55-P
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
I can't believe there are no MS76s at PCGS--any at Accugrade?
RIP Frank
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
In Memory of Frank...
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
U.S. Type Set
Franklin-Lover's Forum