OT (;-)--Frankies are $$$

RYK

I just visited R&I Coins website, and, wow, there are some expen$ive Frankies out there. Perhaps, I should stick to rare date CC and O mint gold--it's much cheaper!

MadMonk

You can do a lot better with price than R&I. He can pull some beauties out of his hat, and if you want them, you'll most likely have to pay. He has figured out every angle to squeeze out every penny from the consumer.
I wonder what your after, Lomg term appreciation, just a collection, beautiful eye appeal, toning, brilliant, hole fillers, top registry set, etc.
There are a number of specialist dealers that will charge retail or better.
If you trust your grading skills, start turning over bushes, going to shops, shows, etc.

FC57Coins

Frankies range in prices by grade/date like everything else -

MS63 and below - cheap - you can put a great set together for under $400

MS64FBL/MS65 - a little more expensive - but not outrageous - most "tough coins" under $150 - A set of MS64FBL's with an MS65 53S - maybe $1500-$1800 if you shop a bit

MS66 - Great values - many are in the $100-200 range - very reasonable for this quality of coin - MS65 & 66 set can be had for less than $3000 - and then you're getting some really good coins like - MS65/66 1949S-54S

MS65FBL/MS66FBL+ - now we're getting into some of the 4 figure plus coins

RYK

What I would like to do is have a relatively inexpensive collecting diversion away from rare date gold, which will always be my number one collecting priority.

Maybe a cameo proof set would be the way to go. Most of the common dates are pretty easily obtainable, and the coins are quite striking. Or perhaps the 64 and 65 FBL set. Heck, I would even splurge for the 53-S! Well, I am going to read the book before buying any more coins, see how I like the two proofs I bought when I get them on the mail, and go from there.

Any other collecting diversion ideas would be appreciated (EF-AU 2 cent pieces, Coronet head large cents by date--not variety, Liberty nickels were others that I considered). I am looking for a relatively inexpensive, but fun, collecting theme to pass the time between gold coin purchases. (It was a Doug Winter idea, by the way.)

Thanks again for all your assistance.

Robert

branchmintgold

Since its my idea, I'd do a date set of 1816-1857 Large Cents in AU-50 to MS-60. Intersting coins and great value right now.

Doug Winter
Douglas Winter Numismatics
www.raregoldcoins.com

wallstreetman

Im waiting on an economy submission with Franklins of 63 to 65 quality, some Ive owned for a long time, I just wanted to see how well I guessed the grades when I was a beginner, mostly 64 FBL Im figuring! I think Ive bought enough 65 and 66s anyways!

RYK

Well, Doug, I was wondering if you were going to show up and bail me out of acute Frankophilia. I have always liked large cents; they were my first independent coin collecting interest.

FC57Coins

putting a year set of large cents together would certainly be interesting and challenging - the thing that's kept me away from it is being able to tell when circulated coppers have been damaged or not - at least with ms63/64 silver, you can pretty well tell whether there is wear or not most of the time - then it boils down to just knack for telling what's what

JOHNandBEA

Large cents I recently acquired from the same seller......

John..........I love them!

MadMonk

I feel that a 64fbl set is very affordable. I'd look for 64's with a 65 look. I would of course, go after mint set or attractively toned pieces. It would be more challenging than all brilliant pieces, and it would be more of a challenge. Eye appeal is always my prime consideration. My first franklin set years ago was Brilliant, it was also Boring. Not to say that I don't have some basically brilliant pieces, I do, but again, the eye appeal is way above average.

ksteelheader

MadMonk, the 64 fbl set, would that also include the 1953 S?..Ken

MadMonk

Not at the current price. but I might start looking at a lot of NGC 64's for ones that they were too tight on, I'd also look at a lot of old PCGS pre designation slabs. My very humble opinion is that PCGS is very loose on FBL. NGC is very strict. If I had to have a FBL, I'd approach it that way. It all depends on your motivation. I really wonder how that price will hold over the years. There are still gobs of uncertified Franklins in existence. My set has FBLs but that was not my prime consideration, the coin had to cause a positive emotional response to be considered a keeper. At a grade of 66 or better, with or without FBL, I believe that beautifully toned, or really GREAT eye appeal pieces will bring really good money in the future.