Any numismatic value to Franklin Mint sterling silver?

AlteredTone

I got a bunch. Just weigh it and sell for melt, or does anybody collect this stuff.

SilverEagles92

I'm sure somebody collects it, but I've always sold it for melt myself. Might try putting it on eBay and see.

cladking

It depends on what it is.

A lot of the world coins bring at least some premium. Some of the base metal coins
bring large premiums. Most of the medals and bars have no premium but those with
very popular subjects sell well even at two or three times melt. A lot of this stuff has
been destroyed but the supply still tends to be high compared to demand.

Quality is excellent so there will be some big winners in the long term, probably.

AskRaq

I collect the Franklin Mint miniature replicas when I find 'em cheap 'cause I think they're cool...

ScarsdaleCoin

They are very collectible, however when silver was at $5 an oz they sold better....with silver as high as it is, the sets become very expensive for the average collector...if you have any sets and want additional info, just pm me...we have all the reference info for each set....best, Jon

AlteredTone

I have two sets. One is called "The Franklin Mint History of the United States". It's a box with ten "albums" in it. Each album has 20 coins in it, so 200 coins. A bicentennial item. Marked "First Edition, Sterling Silver, Proof Set".

The other set is in a box about the size and shape of a pizza box. Has 35 coins in it, one for each of the 1st 35 presidents. Each is marked "Sterling Silver Proof, Limited Edition 1967".

Any advice on value would be appreciated.

7over8

agree with previous post, these sets can be had at melt or slightly below, at any time.

in fact, many are sold below melt now as they are not being sold quickly (i.e. silver is over 13 bucks, when it was 6-7 bucks they traded freely)

there are some collectors, but, they dont trade at a premium as many know that they are available at melt or slightly below.

occasionally you get someone looking for a Christmas Bar in the holiday season, and may pay a few bucks more...

i've seen almost ALL of those sets at one time or another, even my local dealer says to be patient and wait, it will eventually come in across the counter at melt

AlteredTone

So I guess the plan is to bust them out of their holders, put 'em in a box, weigh 'em, multiple by $13 or so and go to my "friendly" local coin shop?

cladking

A few of the these will bring a premium. If memory serves the Kennedy medal is
a real easy sell. There are a few others as well. It probably is true that a lot of
these sets will go a melt or a discount to melt but those desiring individual medals
can be found.

I haven't seen the market lately but it's unlikely there are more of these sets being
destroyed than in the past or that demand is any lower.

7over8

most of that stuff is 925 sterling, so first do your conversion to sterling, then multiply. Dont use the fine 999 silver price.

mrearlygold

I usually buy the bars depending on which ones, how complete of a set, etc etc.

AlteredTone

<< <i>most of that stuff is 925 sterling, so first do your conversion to sterling, then multiply. Dont use the fine 999 silver price. >>



It's a hair under 280 ounces of .925 silver I have in total I think. That should equal 258 ounces of pure silver. At $13.25, that should be worth about $3400.

Does this math sound right?

AlteredTone

Sold this all to a local dealer today - a shop I had never been in before. All of my math worked out just right, and I got what I wanted. Very satisfying experience. Called around to several local shops, most prices offered were in the same ballpark, they guy closest to me was WAY low, looking to steal I guess...

There are people on the Internet trying to buy this Franklin Mint silver crap CHEAP! Way less than melt. Good business if you can find the suckers, I guess.

Anyway, I put almost 18 pounds of pure silver back in circulation today.

291fifth

With silver at its current price level, virtually all of it is melt minus a small percentage.

AlteredTone

Oh, one more point... Everywhere I looked I read that the 200 piece "History of the United States" set contained 240 troy ounces of Sterling Silver. 1.2 troy ounces per coin. Guy at the coin shop insisted that we weigh them, and darned if it wasn't 252 troy ounces. Every coin was different. Glad he insisted

droopyd

Glad this worked out for you. It definitely helps to know what you have and know the current market whenever selling anything!

mrearlygold

Does anyone know of any books or price guides on Franklin Mint stuff?

Overdate

Does anyone know of any books or price guides on Franklin Mint stuff?

I have a 1981 edition of the Krause "Guidebook of Franklin Mint Issues." Don't know if there is anything more recent.


Quality is excellent so there will be some big winners in the long term, probably.

The artwork is impressive on many of their issues, such as the set of medals depicting Shakespeare's plays.

Blackhawk

How about the set of 13 sterling silver colonial notes issued in 1976...I can't find any listings of these for sale. Maybe they were all melted.

cladking

<< <i>How about the set of 13 sterling silver colonial notes issued in 1976...I can't find any listings of these for sale. Maybe they were all melted. >>



Most of the FM stuff had fairly high mintages by token and medal standards
and are going to require good demand to gain much premium. Destruction
was high in '79/ '80 but probably not since.

The most esoteric stuff, the best designs, and the foreign coins might have
the best chance in the nearer term. Some of it is just going to swamp de-
mand for a long time.

Zoins

Demand will go up for FM medals if NGC or PCGS start slabbing them. SGS already slabs them with some positive effect.

mrearlygold

<< <i> Does anyone know of any books or price guides on Franklin Mint stuff?

I have a 1981 edition of the Krause "Guidebook of Franklin Mint Issues." Don't know if there is anything more recent.


Quality is excellent so there will be some big winners in the long term, probably.

The artwork is impressive on many of their issues, such as the set of medals depicting Shakespeare's plays. >>



Cool, thank you.

291fifth

<< <i>Oh, one more point... Everywhere I looked I read that the 200 piece "History of the United States" set contained 240 troy ounces of Sterling Silver. 1.2 troy ounces per coin. Guy at the coin shop insisted that we weigh them, and darned if it wasn't 252 troy ounces. Every coin was different. Glad he insisted >>



Franklin Mint silver medals were guaranteed to contain the amount of silver stated. If you know anything about industrial sampling theory you will know that this means that they have to make each piece slightly overweight in order to be certain that all specimens meet the guarantee.

Always have Franklin Mint items weighed!

291fifth

<< <i>Does anyone know of any books or price guides on Franklin Mint stuff? >>



The 1982 edition of the Krause book on Franklin Mint items was the last edition.