Is this toned Franklin overpriced?
Joey29
Posts: 458 ✭✭✭
I saw this beautiful toned 1954D Franklin Half on the internet priced at $165, but I think the usual market value is only about $50. I like this coin very much but don’t want to pay crazy money either. Can I get opinions from Franklin aficionados please.
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It's worth how much someone is willing to pay for it.
That's the best answer I can give when it comes to toned coins.
It is definitely super PQ with beautiful toning. If you think the $165 price is too high I think you should shop around. Yes you probably can get an average quality untoned piece for $50. But just how tough is it to find this beautiful toned piece vs average pieces in this grade? Very tough. Only you can decide if the extra money worth paying. Collectors can give you their opinions but walk around the bourse at a show and see if you can find one as nice or nicer the seller is willing to sell for the price of an average quality piece.
I don't think I've ever paid much of a premium for toning/color, so I might not be the guy to know on this one...but, I wouldn't pay what looks to be 4times+ of retail based on that pic. If you like it and can't find another like it for cheaper, then that's a deal. Others probably know better and more definitively than me.
@Joey29
Usually toned 54's are dark, mottled, and dull.
This piece has nice color and looks to be very lustrous, as well as high end for the grade. I doubt it is a mint set coin..... doesn't have the look of one.
I think it's priced optimistically, but I buy to resell, so we have different strategies here, as you would be the end user.
Too high.
I guess that’s why it hasn’t sold for 6 months on that internet site
PCGS Price Guide is $40.
That looks like a very pretty example but it doesn’t have a rainbow or much strong color. I would think 2x is a fair premium so that would be $80 to $100.
Why not make them an offer?
The toning on that coin does not merit any premium that a dealer specialist in those items would likely pay. It is just another common date Franklin with what looks like a finger print on the obverse with a very optimistic asking price.
I would definitely not pay that price for that coin.... I know many people pay for tarnish... their money, their choice. I will save my money for coins I like, and which, through my knowledge, provide a much better value. Cheers, RickO
if it was in a 2x2 it'd be worth $15-25 at best
you know it's overpriced, that's why you started this thread
Toning is attractive, but for my taste/budget it's overpriced
I can see what and why the seller wants that certain price. The tone, of course, but in saying that I think it should have a little more color to ask his target price. Sure, the beautifully toned Franklins are very uncommon but it should be a tone that really stands out.
I too, have a certain Bengy I recently got back from our Host with that certain "color" to want to ask for a high price. Here is my example. Two differences though, mines a 65 grade and it has the "Bugs Bunny" variety. What do you think?
1955 ms fbl 65 Bugs Bunny
Back to your dilemma. If you feel good about someone's price and you like the coin that much than I would buy it. But if you feel uncomfortable in any way, such as it seems you are, than I would hold off. Don't do what someone else would do, do only what YOU want to do! If the desire is there forget about the price, right? Money is no object when you love that certain coin.
By the way, for my Franklin, I'm asking $500. At the ANA I almost had two bites. but to no avail. I'm gonna hold firm, thinking, I love this coin too. If someone is willing to pay my price, that's the only thing that will make me depart with it. Then if not, guess what? I get to KEEP it. Lol
Good Luck
"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.Only if it doesn't sell.
I don't think toning means as much on a low grade coin. If it were 66+ then I could see 3 to 4 times the price guide.
Yes, you have nothing to lose and your ask bid may be accepted (especially if it's been on the market awhile). Win- win!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Actually, you didn't have any bites at the ANA. If I recall you got responses like "It's probably what it is worth but I don't need it now." That kind of response is a dealer way of telling you nicely that your asking price is way too high but that he does not want to insult you with his actual offer, which would be much lower. The only "bites" that count come with dollars attached.
@Joey29
Please note, what the seller asks is not what they might take. If truly interested in the coin, make the seller an honest offer and who knows. The worst thing that can happen is you are banned from his auctions and if so, it is what it is. Never let the asking price deter you from making a fair offer. The day of the "Best Offer" being required is over. I purchase 30% of my coins by making an offer when not listed as such. Good luck.
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
Nothing special in my book, hard pass at that price.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
That toning is neutral IMO.
I am an advocate of being willing to pay above guide if you think a coin is worth it, but that premium I think is too much.
54-D's can come very well struck, this one looks a little weak(at least by that picture) on the reverse for my FBL liking.
Take a scroll through here: https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1954-d-50c-fbl/images/86668
Collector, occasional seller
Send seller an offer, see what happens
That toning is a sold "C" in that it's very eye appealing and worth a premium. The reverse is a big drawback. I think $150 is about what's fair.
Not really.
Even though that physical transaction with cash didn't take place, I still consider any hesitation, searching long in the phone or books or/and asking me again, "what did you want for the coin, again?" To me, any of these reactions are "bites". A lot better than when I would mention the price, his quick reaction would be handing my coin right back with a, "no thanks". I had a couple of the hesitation reactions. The "Bite"!
Some would actually call these "nibbles".
"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.I’d pay no premium for that type of toning.
Yeah, but how much would you try to sell it for? 🤣
Way, way, way overpriced for that type of toning IMO.
Dave
Considerably overpriced IMO.
I think the toning is attractive, particularly for that date. No way would I pay anywhere close to $165 for it as an MS64, however.
Here are 4 of my former Silver Eagles.
MS 67
MS 67
MS 64
MS 68
Can you guess why they sold for
$800?
"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.Can you guess why the term non sequitur comes to mind?
Ownership adds a digit or two of course.
In my Laura voice, “opportunity knocks loudly…” If only it had sticker… that’s like the mega millions multiplier. 
I do realize the "apples and oranges" aspect. Franklin's and Silver Eagles. But the toning game does carry premiums. Some times by multiple numbers!
"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.$50 is for a white coin. This coin is more. $165 is high but it's not crazy high.
I am well aware that true monster toned quality coins carry large premiums. I once sold a PCGS CAC $70 Morgan Dollar (price guide value) for $6,000 or $6,500 on eBay (I forget which amount now as it has been some time). I've had multiple other successes over the years. That's why the other poster was teasing me about asking prices.
I think the coin is attractive, but not every coin that with a nice tinge of color is worth a large premium. I would value the piece around $65-$75 as retail, but that's just me. There certainly is no magic formula. This just, is not in my experience, the type of color that usually goes for 4x premiums. The color is too subtle and while pleasant, it really isn't that special.
And some toning reduces the value even for people who like toning. Ah like we lost some of those and use them to indicate the OP’s coin should sell at a discount because it’s toned?
I do not find that toning attractive. Certainly not at that price.
Yes.
To answer the OP’s question, it’s overpriced. I think the coin is attractive and nice for a 64 compared to a white coin, but it has two things limiting the premium. It’s by no means a monster—attractive yes, but that’s it. Second, a Franklin in 64 is going to have a good amount of chatter. If the coin has great color it could be worth paying a real premium for that great color, but otherwise I’d probably elect to have a technically nicer coin. Absolutely no way I’d pay 3x for the coin. Depending on what a 65 or 66 would go for I might (might) pay an extra $25 for this coin (50% but not a huge amount in total dollars), but the asking price is nuts.
No offense, but that coin does not have “that certain” color. It’s original and it looks nice, but the color is far too dark to command a significant premium. The Franklins that get color premiums have bold, bright color. You may certainly ask whatever you want, but if it doesn’t sell, it’s not worth that much. Almost having bites is when someone offers a bit back of your price and you decide to hold firm anyway. If you just get a “thanks but no thanks” it was someone saying it’s too overpriced to warrant an offer.
Nice coin but way over what I'd pay for it. As others have said, the toning would have to be monster on a 64 to command the asking price.
FWIW, 54-D's are hard to find with nice toning.
Having said that, I'm somewhat scratching my head as to how that toning came about. It is probably not Mint Set, which is the most common way that a '54-D gets toning. If it was just the obverse toning from 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock I'd say it could be end of roll toning. The obverse peripheral toning from 4 o'clock to 6 o'clock most likely puts the kibosh on that type of toning.
With regards to price, toning is what someone is willing to pay for it. I recently sold a Morgan for 41x market value for the grade. FWIW, when I bought it 15ish years ago I paid roughly 40x market value for it.
U.S. Type Set
Probably the two sets of reeding marks on the bell limit the grade. The obverse looks MS65 GEM, and I would/could see a price of $100. for this one, if I was at a coin show and wanted this date.
peacockcoins
I appreciate your input and others as well and will pass at that price. Should be no more than $100 at most.
What are reeding marks? Not familiar with the terms
Look at the liberty bell on the reverse- there are two sets of three "V" shaped marks that are caused when another coin- likely another half dollar in a mint bag- clang/bang up against it. They are frequently seen on Franklins (and Kennedy halves) and quickly will diminish a grade.
They are also standard on larger coins such as Morgan and Peace dollars.
peacockcoins
Thanks. I respect your opinion on my Bengy, really. but if you had it in hand like I do. Your opinion might be changed? The pictures, including PCGS's True View also, doesn't do justice for the coin.
Also, don't want to hijack the OP's thread anymore.
Sorry, Joey29
Good decision about the 1954 Franklin. Keep on Hunting
"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.I thought the obverse Carry’s enough weight not to drop it down from a 65+To a 64. You are referring to the marks around the bell lines?