Advice on Franklins

TerrapinWill

After giving this considerable thought, I've decided I really like Frankies and want to start an album with the goal of filling it with very nice examples, perhaps MS63 and higher. I've only just started reading, researching, etc (this time before I buy) and am looking for members here for suggestions , pointers etc on the best way to acquire said coins. What are the very keys dates, what are ballpark prices for nice examples. I am looking for eye appealing examples, and have already purchased my Dansco Album. I really am looking forward to starting and hope folks here can point me in the right direction. Thanks

ddbird

Frankies are a realitively cheap and easy set. Only set I have been able to complete. You can pick up most nice examples raw for about $20 or less. If its an FBL, or has attractive toning, be prepared to pay more. Other than that, you could put a set togehter really easyily by going to shows, coin shops or the BST. You can try to buy em graded off ebay and crack em out, but you will pay a premium.


Good luck!

Numismanic

The key dates in the Franklin halves would be 1949-D, 1949-S, 1950-D,
1951-D, and 1952-S. 1949-D and 1953-S if your looking for full bell lines.
In MS63 and 64 they are very affordable, in MS65 and up are much more
pricey, especially with full bell lines.

D

The toughest dates I've found so far to get for "cheap" in MS63+ I would say are '49D, '49S, '48D, '52S, the others are fairly cheap but for great examples of the four mentioned I would expect to spend around 100$ and above. The '55s, while being the rarest are very easy to come by, as it would seem people hoarded them quite efficiently.

-Daniel

Russ

The Franklin Half Dollar is a classic and magnificent coin. If one likes halves, it is the one to collect and all resources allocated for this denomination should go toward acquisitions of same.

Russ, NCNE

Shamika

<< <i>After giving this considerable thought, I've decided I really like Frankies... >>


Sounds like you had to talk yourself into it. Have you been drinking?

ajia

Nice decision, that's the denomination I going for next, only graded & FBL when I can afford it!

1 thing to remember when collecting raw coins, I found it hard to tell the difference between a nice AU coin & a BU coin. That really hurts if you ever decide to get them graded.
My suggestion would be to collect graded coins. You will pay a bit more, but your sure of what you are getting....unless you know you'll NEVER collect graded coins.

ksteelheader

Do yourself a big favor and get this!



This is one of many places to purchase one!

Bochiman

<< <i>The Franklin Half Dollar is a classic and magnificent coin. If one likes halves, it is the one to collect and all resources allocated for this denomination should go toward acquisitions of same.

Russ, NCNE >>




For those who don't have a Russ->English dictionary handy....."Listen ya bums, I haven't been able to win a snipe on my damn Kennedys for awhile so go somewhere else!"

ksteelheader

<< <i>

<< <i>The Franklin Half Dollar is a classic and magnificent coin. If one likes halves, it is the one to collect and all resources allocated for this denomination should go toward acquisitions of same.

Russ, NCNE >>




For those who don't have a Russ->English dictionary handy....."Listen ya bums, I haven't been able to win a snipe on my damn Kennedys for awhile so go somewhere else!" >>

Heywood

I agree with most of what has been said, a good looking Dansco set in AU/MS-63 can be put together with no real show stoppers.

If you want higher grades, it gets more expensive, and if you want Certified FBL even more so ( and subjective)


So First Question is do you want to buy Raw or certified. And if certified, will you crack them out?
Second is do you want FBLs (standards vary, many raw and some slabs sold as "90% FBL!") remember that a cracked out FBL might not stay that way wif resubmitted down the road.
Third Question is do you want to build a matching set? (White/ Champagne/Mint set tones)?

When I first started collecting franklins, I made a set from the "junk silver" bin at the local shop, there were some I had to buy raw, (looking back most were way over graded).


Now I have three other sets I am building/upgrading:
a MS-64 and above PCGS FBL set ( no current plans to get the 53-s in FBL, now just a few MS -65s).
a AU/MS-63 set in a Dansco
a PR-65 (Cam or Dcam where possible) PCGS certified set.

Other advice- Do a search here there are some good links on FBL vs different companies standard. Also look to see When LucyBop posts, and read what she says, I have found her threads to be very informative. ( I can't remember some of the other Franklin "experts" by name, sorry)

Good luck- happy hunting

FC57Coins

Franklins make a very enjoyable collection - you can still get very high quality coins at reasonable prices if you know what to look for. If you do a search on "INSTRUCTIONAL" you'll find a series of posts that I've been doing on Franklins over the past year or so - that may give you a good start

Purple73

The Collection of Franks Tutorials

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PURPLE!

Russ

<< <i>The page you were accessing requires variables to be passed to it.

Error Code: 100 >>



Russ, NCNE

Purple73

Thanks Russ.....

TerrapinWill

Thank you

RobJ

As a new ypung collector I am AMAZED at the wealth of information here on this board.
Kinda makes me want to stay home from school..............Naw! no girls
RJ

Purple73

<< <i>As a new ypung collector I am AMAZED at the wealth of information here on this board.
Kinda makes me want to stay home from school..............Naw! no girls
RJ >>




The girls are here! Look real close! I won't tell you where though

Russ

RJ,

There's a hot chick here with the handle "Kieferscoins". PM her, and get some lovin'.

Russ, NCNE

Purple73

<< <i>RJ,

There's a hot chick here with the handle "Kieferscoins". PM her, and get some lovin'.

Russ, NCNE >>

LucyBop

and just to get you started, pm the HepKitty and I will send you some raw uncircs, my gift to you...

TerrapinWill

this board is absolutely the best....never a shortage of info or kindness.