Franklin collector question..

Crazy4Coins

I have been searching 54 thru 59 proof sets trying to find some decent cameo coins. Were these years known for having little cameo contrast or above average contrast? I have came across quite a few halves that appear to be somewhat of a cameo coin but none yet with that deep cam look that you find with some of the halves minted in the 60's.

If anyone has a pic of a typical cameo half from 54 or 55 I would love to see it.

Thanks,
Randy

Russ

With the exception of the 1956 Type 2, all those years are pretty tough for finding strong cameo contrast, with the 1959 being extremely difficult. Add to that the fact that the majority of these sets have already been searched and you have an uphill battle on your hands.

Russ, NCNE

Myqqy

What Russ said. It's always fun to look through sets, but your odds aren't very good. I have a nice 54 and 55 in ngc and pcgs 67cams, but no pictures yet. I'll try to get pictures later...

Crazy4Coins

I had a number of so called "unopened" proof sets that I decided to open up.Most were from the early 60's. I have found several nice cam and deep cam coins. I just opened a group from 58 and 59. A lot of the 58 halves seem to have some cameo contrast but nothing that would make deep cam. I haven't cut anything out yet. A few months ago I did find 7 AH Kennedy Halves.

I also just opened a proof box from 55. How did the mint pack the coins inside? I wasn't expecting to find a staple holding the coins together. Is this how they were packaged?

Randy

Russ

<< <i>I wasn't expecting to find a staple holding the coins together. Is this how they were packaged? >>



Yes, and the plastic should be soft and pliable.

Russ, NCNE

Crazy4Coins

That is what I found Russ. Five coins, individually in plastic, stapled together wrapped in tissue type paper.

Thanks,
Randy

SanctionII

Contrary to the thought of many that raw cameos from 1950-1970 era are extremely difficult if not impossilbe to find, I beg to differ. It takes time (for me 6 years so far) and effort (for me looking in dozens of shops around the Western US and going to multiple local, regional and national coin shows) but a nice collection of raw cameos can be located and acquired. DCAM's are the exception rather than the rule, however even DCAM's show up no and then. Some dates and denominations are more easily acquired than others, some are much more difficult to obtain than others. The hunt is always fun. Obtaining nice CAM and DCAM examples for modest prices always makes my day.

I have been lucky enough to assemble an entire run of raw 1950-1970 Proof and SMS coins, most of which have at least some cameo contrast; along with many duplicates of some. Many of them are high grade (56 or higher, possibly up to 68). I look to upgrade constantly.

Some of my favorite CAM/DCAM coins are 1950, 1951, 1958 and 1966 cents (all CAM though the 1950 has DCAM frost); 1952, 1954, 1956. 1959 and 1962 nickels (all CAM except the 1962 which is DCAM); 1951, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1970 dimes (all CAM except the 68, 69 & 70 which are DCAM); 1953, 1960, 1961, 1965, 1966 and 1967 (the 1953 is CAM, the 60 & 61 are DCAM and the SMS coins I have now idea if they are CAM or DCAM, however they look great with even frost and highly relective mirrors); and all halves (only the 1952 and 1957 would not CAM; the 1953 comes close to DCAM; the 1954, 1956 Type 2, the 1960, the 1962 and the 1963 are DCAM; the 1964, 67, 68, 69 & 70 are DCAM; and the 1965 and 1966 are CAM).

The 1954-58 issues do have many coins that are very tough to find in CAM, however some of the nicest cameos that I have are from this time period. Looking at them sitting next to non cam examples confirms how beautiful they are. Good luck in your hunt.