Completed my MS Franklin Half Set!
ElKevvo
Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭✭✭
I thought I would share my Franklin Half album since it is complete. It took quite a few years but I finished my Franklin Half MS set a couple of months ago with the addition of a 1953-D. About 1/2 the coins were purchased raw, the rest cracked out MS-64's. The '53-D is the only FBL and I bought that as it matched what I was looking for and I wanted to finish the set. I have the later dates reverse showing vs. the obverse just to show them right side up vs. rotated, I'll probably change this down the road.
All of the coins were white with the same look when put in the album and I tried to get coins with minimal marks on the cheek etc. Over the years some have acquired light toning with the 1954 having the heaviest while some of the others have stayed suspiciously bright white.
It was a fun and very achievable set to put together...finally finished! Of course now the '54 is sort of bugging me as it does not match 
K
Comments
Congrats! That is a beautiful set!!!
Congrats. I have not completed many sets yet, but I remember the feeling of when I did. It sure felt good, and I am very happy for you.
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
Very nice set. Congratulations. Makes me want to go back and look through mine. Something I haven't done in awhile. Could you possibly dip the 54 ?
Beautiful set! Franklins in mint state are a great series!
Nice looking coins - excellent eye appeal
Congrats on completing your set of MS Franklins.
However, if you are a die hard Franklin fanatic you are not done yet.
You still need to collect the following:
an untoned circulated set of Franklins;
a toned circulated set of Franklins;
a toned MS set of Franklins;
a blast white set of brilliant Proof Franklins;
a toned set of brilliant Proof Franklins;
a blast white set of Cameo/DCAM Proof Franklins; and
a toned set of Cameo/DCAM Proof Franklins.
Once you have completed all of the above sets, you can then complete things by obtaining all of the major and minor varieties (both circulation strike and proof).
Wow, you liberated a lot of Franklins to create that set! It looks great in that Dansco!! Congratulations!!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
@ElKevvo - I forgot to ask... did you have any take aways while building this set? I am always curious what people learn as they go about completion. Were there areas where you decided to make strategic compromises? If you were to do it again, would you crack them for the album... or leave them in holders? Now that you have completed it, what is your advice for someone who would want to build a set of MS Franklin Half Dollars?
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
Nice set!
Good points to ponder!
Do I have any takeaways? - It was a fun and fairly inexpensive set to complete. I was able to work on it off and on over the years as there is no scarcity of examples so not a lot of pressure to buy when my budget was low as I could wait.
Any compromises? - Yeah the 1953-D is a compromise as it is FBL. It was the last coin I acquired and honestly I was just sort of burned out looking for a MS64 non-FBL that I liked. So when I saw one that had the color, luster and minimal marks I added it even though it was FBL. If a nice non-FBL shows up I might switch it out just for consistency.
Would I crack them? - Yes I would again. I wanted at least one full set of pre-clad MS coins in an album and the series was one where I could get all of them the same grade (assuming my grading of the raw additions was close). I will say it was exciting to crack one out for the album when I found one I liked!
Advice? - It really is a good set to complete IMO and as SanctionII mentioned there are a lot of variations one can choose from. The key days in mid MS are not that expensive and there are enough out there that I don't think it is overly hard to find nice ones, just need to set your standards and follow them.
Thanks for all the positive thoughts everyone!
K
@ElKevvo - Thanks. I always love hearing the post collection thoughts. What is next for you?
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
Looks great! A fun set to complete.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Very cool! Beautiful well-matched set, and beautifully presented. CONGRATS!
Dave
Dad the same
That's a way cool set, congrats 👍
Nice reward for a lot of effort.
Congrats on finishing the set!
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
To supplement my prior post to this thread here are photos of my frosty proof Franklins.
I have had fun collecting these proofs.
Excellent sets!
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
OUTSTANDING set!! Congrats!! I only have a circulated set. Now you have me thinking about starting a Mint State Set.
Just an additional thought for future reference. Not that it will guarantee anything but you might consider taking pictures of the slabbed coin before you break them out. I put mine in a clear sleeve in the back of the albums.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
All very nice! I love the 54 as is!
Very nice set! (And yours, too, @SanctionII and @pmh1nic )
My MS set is mostly complete in 64FBL-65FBL (some non-FBL 65s). It’s a mix of raw and various TPGs. I love the uniformity of your set in the book. I don’t currently have the guts or desire to crack my slabbed ones out or get the raw ones slabbed.
I have the same problem with my (complete) Proof set. Maybe one day I’ll get on y’all’s level. You should be proud of the sets!
Super nice set!
I’ve assembled a very similar set, in a Dansco, over the past couple of years.
Lots of fun!
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
Excellent set. Tons of fun.
Now, top it off with a Moonlight Mint "1964" Franklin!
peacockcoins
That is a great looking set! It’s clear you have a great eye and took care in acquiring pieces with booming luster, clean surfaces and excellent eye appeal. I have thought about doing the same Franklin album as well. Your post is inspiring!
Very nice set, congrats!
I wish I could spend that much! Very beautiful.
God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.
I finished my first set of Franklins about ten years ago... it started on a whim when I purchased a Littleton 3 ring binder with 6 BU Franklins in it. It had holes for the proofs as well, those took me the longest and were the scariest to crack out.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Great set, I’ve also enjoyed collecting Franklin halves.
If anyone sees a 52 proof in rattler shoot me a message please.
Beautiful set! It's been years since I looked at mine, maybe this morning... I still remember the thrill of receiving them in payment for my paper route on the rare occasion.
Nice set. I’ve completed a couple in various vintage albums. I usually put a proof Franklin and a 64P&D Kennedy in the open holes, a Walker or commemorative if there’s room.