What's up doc about Franklin "Bugs" variety?

Duane

Hey All:

I just got lucky and cherry picked a 1955 Franklin Half "Bugs Bunny" variety over the weekend at a local coin shop! I almost dropped my loupe when I saw the teeth. What an amazing variety! So I came home and did some research and found out how the error happened at the following very cool site:

myurl

But in my research, and even when I went to the PCGS price guides and pop reports, I could not find the prices or population associated with this coin. Anyone have a clue about those numbers?

The coin itself is brilliant, with very few nicks or marks, no spots, and both the higher and lower bell lines are full. based on my other Franklins, I have it estimated for a MS65FBL. My photography skills are lousy or I'd post a shot. I will have it Tru-Viewed when graded as it is about as neat an error coin as I've ever seen.

If anyone has any knowledge to share about this coin's price and pop, I would be most appreciative.

Duane

66RB

The pops are in the pop report.

edited--the rules are the rules, no pops are to be divulged freely here.

They are not in the price guides though, at least PCGS' price guide

Duane

Thanks. Where did you find them in the pops? And I wonder why they are not in the price guides. I found one for sale on Bbay, but the price of $1,000 cannot be legit, I'm assuming.

More important, though, did you check out the die clash? Cool or what?

66RB

In the pop reports, there is a + sign next to the coin number. When you click on the + sign, any varieties population will appear just below the non varieties' population.

On the coolnes scale, I think the name makes it cool. It's not an easily seen variety, which is probably why they are able to be cherrypicked by the sharp-eyed collector. I'll tell you, I have a Jefferson nickel that was heavily clashed. You can see the complete outline of Jefferson's head on the reverse fields and the complete outline of Monticello in the reverse fields, which is visually quite striking and seen from arm's length away. That one I think is very cool

Anyway, congrats on a great cherrypick that the market values very highly

Duane

You're welcome - if you ever want to post that Jeff photo, I'd love to see it - I'm now officially hooked on clash die errors.

Duane

I just found another one! That's two weekends in a row.

This one is in +/- AU55 condition with some cool green and orange rainbow toning that blasts well. The protruding teeth look more like a 'vampire' than Bugs Bunny, to my eye.

robec

2 in one week cherry picking? I don't know what you spent on them, but if you got them for less than $75, I'd say that YOU SUCK!!

Duane

I paid $40 for both...

So, yes! I finally made it to the top. The pinnacle; the peak; the utmost in numismatic achievement ... I suck!

Actualized Saturday June 6, 2009 at 1:43PM.

Thank you, Sir

Duane

Hey all - as a follow up, attached below are photos of the 1955 Bugs Bunny Half Dollar I bought raw for $20. As mentioned, I have the coin pegged at a MS65 FBL but clearly it's a personal call, and the graders may feel different. We will see. Obviously, certification is an issue, but authentication is clear.

As a side note, the photos were taken by Martin Greenstein of Chameleon Coins (http://www.chameleoncoins.mybisi.com/), who I think did a terrific job in capturing the highlights of the coin. As an aside, I have gotten to know Martin, and he is a first class guy and has gotten a lot of grief on this forum that I think is mostly not appropriate. For the record, I have bought a few very very beautifully-toned coins from Martin, and I have found him to be honest and have real integrity in his dealings. When he began selling, I think he was very new at photography, and many people thought that he 'juiced' his photos, when in fact he was very inexperienced at photography and used a cheap camera. So like I say, the man has always been good and straight with me, and deserves a good word..... Enjoy the photos. BTW - Martin will take photos for you for a VERY reasonable rate, and I endorse him here without hesitation. His web site is http://www.chameleoncoins.mybisi.com/ and his very nice coins can also be found on Ebay (link from Chameleoncoins site). he is selling some of my toners right now, and many are very pretty and well priced.

Comments on the Frankie welcome.

Sincerely, Duane

Dan50

Well looks like his photo skills must have improved vastly. Can't think he could get much better than this. I'll have to keep him in mind for some future pictures....

Duane

Hey, Dan-

Classy attitude, and one that is IMHO a credit to our field! We often finds the flaws, while good changes that people make go unrecognized. But not this time.

Thank you.

Duane