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Franklin Half Instructional Series #25: 1958D Half Dollar
FC57Coins
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Franklin Half Instructional Series #25: 1958D Half Dollar.
This is the 25th installment of the Franklin Half Instructional Series. Hopefully those of you who are interested in Franklins will add your own observations and pictures. By the end of the series we should wind up with a pretty comprehensive study of the Franklin series, along with some nice pictures as well. And who knows, maybe some other folks will do the same for other series!
I wanted to do something different for my 20,000th post on these boards, but in retrospect, it’s only fitting that I do something which has enabled me to enjoy collecting, learn about coins and history, and allow me to acquaint myself with such a great group of people as we have here. So, enough of the side show – let’s take a look at the 1958D Frankie.
Sources for this series generally include “An Analysis of Gem Franklins” by Jack Ehrmantraut and “The Complete Guide for Franklin Halves” by Rick Tomaska – two books which I feel every serious Franklin collector should read
1958D
The last of the monster toned coins that were found in cardboard holders between 1956 and 1958. In many ways, a twin of the 1957D issue, coins of this year/mint are characterized by above average brilliance and below average strike characteristics. Original rolls, when found, tend to be baggy with some water spotting, although they generally have great luster. With a mintage of 23,962,412 it is one of the most common issues available to collectors. Although comparing the strike characteristics of 1958D’s to it’s brethren from the late 40’s leaves a lot to be desired, this issue does have about a 40-50% population of Full Bell Line coins. As with the 1957D issue, 58D’s fall into three categories, white, drab toned, and amazing toning. Because of the very high mintage for this year, pieces with drab toning tend to make up the majority of specimens. White pieces are tough to find in MS64 or better condition. The reason for this is that white pieces coming from original rolls tended to be marred by bag marks and water spots. Add to this the likelihood of a mushy strike because of wear to the master die, now in its next to the last year of use, and you have a poor combination of circumstances to yield gem rated coins out of rolls. Most of the gem pieces are drab grey/brown toned pieces that didn’t get the good fortune of being stored in ideal circumstances for awesome toning. Unlike the 1958P, the Denver issued halves have much less of a likelihood of being found with both amazing luster and jaw dropping color. However, once in a great while one would see a shocking “Peter Max” colored example with booming luster which made it worthwhile to continue to search through original mint sets. These toned pieces, along with those from 1956 and 1957, form the highlight of toning for any Franklin collection. Once common, these pieces have been salted away in some of the better collections throughout the country and now rarely surface. Where once these were the “throw away” pieces in favor of bright white specimens, now they are highly sought after and command steep premiums over an equally graded white or drab counterparts.
Almost all MS66 and MS67 issues for this date are mint set toned issues. While relatively common in MS66, in the same way as 1956P’s and 1957’s and 58P’s, of these 5 issues, the 1958D is the tougher to obtain in eye pleasing gem condition. White examples and colorfully toned examples command much higher premiums.
Current population numbers from PCGS read as follows:
MS63 and lower 154 non FBL and 63 in FBL
MS64 - 727 non FBL and 2064 in FBL
MS65 – 1016 non FBL and 1113 FBL
MS66 – 243 in non FBL and 612 in FBL
MS67 – 6 in non FBL and 23 in FBL
As the numbers show, there seems to be about a 40-50% population of FBL coins. However, it is worth reminding collectors that FBL coins of the late 50’s do not hold a candle to those of the late 40’s and early 50’s. While according to the defined guidelines by TPG’s they might have Full Bell Lines, they are not the kind of bell lines that are pronounced and bold, along with a well defined “Pass and Stow” and the three wisps of hair by Franklin’s ear. In the next to the last year of production from the original master hub, much of the detail was lost, so while technically these coins would be defined as FBL’s, the amount of detail in the fully struck coin, compared to the coins of the previously mentioned period, was not as defined. The number of coins in the MS65 grade and above is misleading. Remember that this is a high mintage coin, and that most of the coins coming from mint sets tend to be drab and lifeless. Finding truly eye appealing coins in grades of MS65FBL and above, will tend to increase their price as much as ten times their drab counterparts. MS64FBL coins can be had for somewhere in the $25-40 range. MS65FBL and MS66 coins are still inexpensive in the $50-75 range. MS66FBL coins can start around the $100-$125 range and go up in value considerably due to toning or white status. White MS66 and better coins are extremely rare. MS67 coins are considered extremely rare in for any year and in this particular issue will likely range in the low 4 figures to as much as 5 figures – again depending on eye appeal.
For more information on this date you can look the coin up in the Coinfacts page, which also sites significant sales appearances over the past few years. This information can be found HERE. I will continue to post the COINFACTS site for reference, but I am in no way promoting their products or services.
This last of the mint set coins in cardboard holders can provide some very beautiful pieces for those who are patient and have the money to spend on extraordinarily beautiful coins. For the rest of us, there is a wide variety of grades and eye appealing examples from which to chose from in this high mintage date. Have fun collecting Frankies!
1958D Franklin Half
This is the 25th installment of the Franklin Half Instructional Series. Hopefully those of you who are interested in Franklins will add your own observations and pictures. By the end of the series we should wind up with a pretty comprehensive study of the Franklin series, along with some nice pictures as well. And who knows, maybe some other folks will do the same for other series!
I wanted to do something different for my 20,000th post on these boards, but in retrospect, it’s only fitting that I do something which has enabled me to enjoy collecting, learn about coins and history, and allow me to acquaint myself with such a great group of people as we have here. So, enough of the side show – let’s take a look at the 1958D Frankie.
Sources for this series generally include “An Analysis of Gem Franklins” by Jack Ehrmantraut and “The Complete Guide for Franklin Halves” by Rick Tomaska – two books which I feel every serious Franklin collector should read
1958D
The last of the monster toned coins that were found in cardboard holders between 1956 and 1958. In many ways, a twin of the 1957D issue, coins of this year/mint are characterized by above average brilliance and below average strike characteristics. Original rolls, when found, tend to be baggy with some water spotting, although they generally have great luster. With a mintage of 23,962,412 it is one of the most common issues available to collectors. Although comparing the strike characteristics of 1958D’s to it’s brethren from the late 40’s leaves a lot to be desired, this issue does have about a 40-50% population of Full Bell Line coins. As with the 1957D issue, 58D’s fall into three categories, white, drab toned, and amazing toning. Because of the very high mintage for this year, pieces with drab toning tend to make up the majority of specimens. White pieces are tough to find in MS64 or better condition. The reason for this is that white pieces coming from original rolls tended to be marred by bag marks and water spots. Add to this the likelihood of a mushy strike because of wear to the master die, now in its next to the last year of use, and you have a poor combination of circumstances to yield gem rated coins out of rolls. Most of the gem pieces are drab grey/brown toned pieces that didn’t get the good fortune of being stored in ideal circumstances for awesome toning. Unlike the 1958P, the Denver issued halves have much less of a likelihood of being found with both amazing luster and jaw dropping color. However, once in a great while one would see a shocking “Peter Max” colored example with booming luster which made it worthwhile to continue to search through original mint sets. These toned pieces, along with those from 1956 and 1957, form the highlight of toning for any Franklin collection. Once common, these pieces have been salted away in some of the better collections throughout the country and now rarely surface. Where once these were the “throw away” pieces in favor of bright white specimens, now they are highly sought after and command steep premiums over an equally graded white or drab counterparts.
Almost all MS66 and MS67 issues for this date are mint set toned issues. While relatively common in MS66, in the same way as 1956P’s and 1957’s and 58P’s, of these 5 issues, the 1958D is the tougher to obtain in eye pleasing gem condition. White examples and colorfully toned examples command much higher premiums.
Current population numbers from PCGS read as follows:
MS63 and lower 154 non FBL and 63 in FBL
MS64 - 727 non FBL and 2064 in FBL
MS65 – 1016 non FBL and 1113 FBL
MS66 – 243 in non FBL and 612 in FBL
MS67 – 6 in non FBL and 23 in FBL
As the numbers show, there seems to be about a 40-50% population of FBL coins. However, it is worth reminding collectors that FBL coins of the late 50’s do not hold a candle to those of the late 40’s and early 50’s. While according to the defined guidelines by TPG’s they might have Full Bell Lines, they are not the kind of bell lines that are pronounced and bold, along with a well defined “Pass and Stow” and the three wisps of hair by Franklin’s ear. In the next to the last year of production from the original master hub, much of the detail was lost, so while technically these coins would be defined as FBL’s, the amount of detail in the fully struck coin, compared to the coins of the previously mentioned period, was not as defined. The number of coins in the MS65 grade and above is misleading. Remember that this is a high mintage coin, and that most of the coins coming from mint sets tend to be drab and lifeless. Finding truly eye appealing coins in grades of MS65FBL and above, will tend to increase their price as much as ten times their drab counterparts. MS64FBL coins can be had for somewhere in the $25-40 range. MS65FBL and MS66 coins are still inexpensive in the $50-75 range. MS66FBL coins can start around the $100-$125 range and go up in value considerably due to toning or white status. White MS66 and better coins are extremely rare. MS67 coins are considered extremely rare in for any year and in this particular issue will likely range in the low 4 figures to as much as 5 figures – again depending on eye appeal.
For more information on this date you can look the coin up in the Coinfacts page, which also sites significant sales appearances over the past few years. This information can be found HERE. I will continue to post the COINFACTS site for reference, but I am in no way promoting their products or services.
This last of the mint set coins in cardboard holders can provide some very beautiful pieces for those who are patient and have the money to spend on extraordinarily beautiful coins. For the rest of us, there is a wide variety of grades and eye appealing examples from which to chose from in this high mintage date. Have fun collecting Frankies!
1958D Franklin Half
0
Comments
Congratulations on 20K Frankie !!!!
Your Franklin Half Instructional Series has been very informative
I always enjoy reading your Frankie Instructionals.
Thanks.
Sorry about the glare on the pics.
and two different toners.
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
<< <i>Wow - I don't think I've ever seen a white MS66FBL in this date! >>
I agree. In my limited experience with Franklins, untoned Franklins of this date always seem to be beat up.
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
<< <i>
ooh...come to daddy!
again and no more Mr. nice guy.
Sorry ones a 57 but it's a D mint.
<< <i>mgoodm3 - you take some fantastic pictures!
"The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD GOD Almighty."
('58-D)
-Daniel
-Aristotle
Dum loquimur fugerit invida aetas. Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.
-Horace
<< <i>Wow - I don't think I've ever seen a white MS66FBL in this date! >>
There are very few.
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
<< <i>Now, if we can just get some of the other great set owners to put up pix (yeah, that means you fudude and MadMonk)! >>
I have lousy pics. And I sold most of my high my high powered stuff before prices tanked (
But what I have left, like the pictures shown, is still very desireable. Thanks for the recognition, but you and company are, in my opinion, the true Master Franklin Collectors, bar none! Well, Ronyahski is pretty bad to the bone as well.
Thanks for the effort on the Instructional Series..
I had to break it into two parts it was getting so big.
We've got a small book here already. Great work by FC57!
John Marnard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920, page 235ff
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
In Memory of Frank...
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
<< <i>This is a very rare white PCGS MS66FBL.
and two different toners.
U.S. Type Set
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
I had a lot of Affection for Frank, and we need to do this to keep him part of the Franklin Community 4-ever.
<< <i>Smoebodt needs to gather all these together and put them in one thread so we can print them out and save them.
I had a lot of Affection for Frank, and we need to do this to keep him part of the Franklin Community 4-ever. >>
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
Here's another Mint Set Toner...
The toning was so thick, when it dried out it left a crackle finish on the obverse...
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave