Completed my Franklin Halves Whitman Album today
mcarney1173
Posts: 921 ✭✭✭✭✭
Thanks to some eBay purchases I received today, my AU/UNC Franklin Half Whitman Album set is complete. This is only the second set of any series I have ever completed- the first being a BU Dansco Set of ASE's that I sold on the BST a few months ago. I have been collecting for over 10 years now and have always been a "type" collector attempting various 7070's throughout the years but never coming as close to completing it as I am now.
The majority of the Franklin set is Uncirculated. For some of the more common dates, if my local coin shop bargain bin had an AU piece for $8-9 I would buy that instead of paying a premium for gem of a common date. For most of the tougher dates I did aim for MS63 or better to add value to the set. My favorite coin in the set is the 1959 due to the nice toning on both sides (photos below)
As for future collecting endeavors, I recently purchased a US Gold Type page for my 7070 and the type set has broadened my interest in halves and silver dollars as they are large coins and I like the history of silver dollars. I also started dansco/whitman albums of Walkers, Peace, Morgans.
Comments
Congratulations!
It looks like you did a really nice job of putting together a great looking set.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Enjoy your accomplishment, congrats!
Nice set. Your 49-S looks very solid.
Collector, occasional seller
Congratulations!
U.S. Type Set
Very well done. Your photos present it well . . . and it is a nice accomplishment !!!!!
Drunner
I would like to ask about the 1963. Most of the coins have nice luster, a few minor toning other than the 59 you like the most. Why did you choose the 63?
I am considering starting a similar collection, once things open back up so I can pick them out in person.
It definitely has a little bit of haze to it but more luster than shown in the photograph. I bought it because it’s a common date and didn’t cost too much more than melt value. I wanted the key dates to be the coins I invested the money in. Franklins are a nice affordable set to put together in uncirculated condition and I would definitely recommend starting one
@mcarney1173 I appreciate the answer and advice. Since I have time to think this out, I am pretty much between AU coins or the apparently limited jump to MS64 for many in the $20 range. Until I can shop in person, I can not determine if there is enough savings on raw MS64 versus slabbed. Looking online, it appears the lesser expensive slabs tend to have inconsistent toning, spots of toning, or contact marks in more prominent areas. I guess for the most part, I am saying I am fine paying $20 or so for everything other than key dates. Your approach makes sense as I sometimes see a AU coin that looks nice and low MS coins that do not.
Nice looking set of Frankies, congrats on completing it, and thanks for sharing.
@mcarney1173
Just a heads-up. Your favorite 1959-P reverse is the Type 2 Eagle variety off a retasked Proof reverse Working Die.
Nice coin. Maybe check the others in the set for varieties. Here is a good link:
varietyvista.com/11%20Franklin%20Halves/index.htm
Good luck!
Nice. Thanks for sharing.
jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Nicely done! The 59 definitely calls attention to itself in that group.
Congratulations! I do love to see sets like that.
Well done! You don’t see many complete sets anymore, especially housed in an album. Nice! 👍
Dave
That's very cool!!!
I've always liked Franklins, and that's a nice set!
I knew it would happen.
Thanks for sharing, I have been "working on" a Franklin set for about nine years now, one of these days, my last purchase was a 54s, still need the 49's too, and others, congrats on completing the set
Nice collection, dude! Esp. the toned. Any "Bugs Bunny"?
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.Nice set of Franklins...IMO an underappreciated series. You mentioned now having acquired several albums, so I think you will be really busy in the coming couple of years...
Best of luck and give us reports on your progress... Cheers, RickO
Very nice set. Franklin's have been one of my favorites over the years....Nice Job on the set!
Very nice thanks for sharing pics. I never tire of looking at other peoples stuff. I like the '52 S for some reason. That feeling of accomplishment when the last hole is filled is quite satisfying. I predict it's because of that -now you'll be starting another set!
Great looking set you put together.
Really nice matching set! Love the Whitman album. Congrats!!
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
Really nice set, thanks for showing them
Nice album I like 🙂
Nice set. I remember putting a set together from circulation in the early 1960's. None of the dates were hard to find.
Since I'm into color I can appreciate the 1959. Nice coin and a nice set!
Very nice set. Putting coins in albums is still very rewarding.
Nice! Congrats on your accomplishment!
Congrats.
Next you can put together a set of Franklin proof half dollars.