So Overgraded

heavycopper

I like Franklins and am working on a MS65 FBL set. The thing is, I want true MS65 coins. I looked this one up and was sadly disappointed.

1953-D MS65 ??

It has several hits aross the face and a huge one right in the center of the bell. The coins is a nice MS63 or a low 64. How can they get the grading so wrong? This one is so bad for the grade it might even scare Lucy away.

CLASSICS

how can this be you ask............go back and read the thread .......confessions of a coin dealer.

fcloud

Looks overgraded to me.

DHeath

Looks like another coin rung the bell. That sure looks like a bag mark. The reeding is pretty obvious. Too bad.

Blade

I'm no Franklin expert, but that coin is seriously banged up. I wonder what could have bumped it up that high? Even major eye appeal wouldn't get that to a 65 for me.

Tonelover

There's even a huge crack running down the middle of the bell!

The Frankin series has been very loosely graded for a few years now, many of the 65's you'll encounter are very low end. It seems you have to buy a 66 to get a 65 these days and even then there's no guarantee.

wingedliberty

64FBL



Brian.

FC57Coins

The difference between a 65 and a 64 Franklin can sometimes be minute. It can be the difference between good and bad toning, it can be a misplaced hit. In grading Franklins the rule is, you take a look at it with the naked eye. Then you evaluate with a loupe. If there are a significant number of hits, especially in major focal points, then you down grade, one or two significant hits and several smaller hits may be allowed in the 65 range, though personally I don't like to see them. I guess that's the difference between a 65 and a 65PQ. I'm attaching some pretty good pictures of some certified MS64's. I think if you'll look closely, you'll see more hits on these, than you do on that 53D.

Frank

Some MS64's



And an MS65 to die for

heavycopper

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I will have to say grade inflation on this one. That is why it is good to see several of these to know what a true MS65 looks like. My 65's are nice with no distracking marks in the prime focal areas- Franklins cheek and forehead and the center of the bell. I also avoid coins with that ugly mint set toning. I don't know how some of those get such high grades. They may be free from marks, but the toning is so thick it hides the luster. Plus if they are dark or spotty they have no eye appeal.

Gilbert

It's probably market graded. Since so many '53-Ds are baggy or unattractively toned at the "true gem FBL" level, it may have gotten the nod for clear fields and, as Franklins go, minimal bagginess. I have to agree, the huge reed mark on the bell is a major eyesore, but I hardly think its a 63.

The design is wide open for any marks, and that's just how they are evaluated. The image is huge and the abrasions are scattered. Take one of those away and without the reed mark, I don't doubt the coin would 66FBL easily.

I'm no Franklin expert, but that coin is seriously banged up. Not considering there is NOWHERE a mark could be hidden on this design.

I would pass on this one just because of the reed mark though.