Inviting Questions for Whitman Franklin/Kennedy book

ultimatecameo

This book is going to Whitman in the spring of next year for final editing. I am very excited about the project, as it will have the one ingredient I was not able to get into previous editions of “The Franklin Guide” – color pictures! This feature will be especially helpful for the mint state Franklin series, as many of the highest grade pieces in the series are color coins.



One feature I thought about adding might be titled “Questions From Collectors”. This chapter would feature questions collectors have about either series, for proof, sms, and mint state coins, that you would like answered. My answers would follow.



Brenden will be taking your questions, so please direct all correspondence to him. Brenden will not respond directly as he is also quite busy with the photography for the book. The questions will be forwarded to me for possible inclusion in the chapter.



Warmest regards,

Rick Tomaska

cladking

I love to hear opinion on where the highest grade Franklins and
Kennedys can be found and whether the best source changes
from one series to the next.

There used to be bags of the older kennedys around but they are
seldom seen any longer. Are they believe they are in hiding or are
they broken up for singles?

LouisCamp

I'd like to know why toned coins get such high grades. If they could see the marks they would be lower grades.

Coinosaurus

Someone asked about lasered FBL's the other day - that would be a good question.

MsMorrisine

halfs or halves (half dollars)? are halves still a relevant coin to produce? why include them in unirculated sets even though now none circulate? mint plans for the future of the half dollar? would the mint consider making a half dollar ase, discontinued half or not? number of known finds of 1970 halves in circulation? estimates of how many have been melted for silver of late? price of silver where it would not be profitable to sell for melt (incl. smelting costs & typical bid/ask spread)? known counterfeits?

MsMorrisine

highest auction prices realized for a non-error coin for both?

MsMorrisine

if you actually ask the mint anything... may as well hit up the federal reserve... long-term plans for all those halves sitting around? how much do they have in storage?


sinve many save them... how collectible are the non-error, non-variety circulated kennedy half dollars? what are the clad, circulated coins to look for to keep?

MsMorrisine

how to detect AT and counterfeits?

acceptable conservation techniques.... acetone?

MsMorrisine

what various other designs and variations on the final designs were consdered?

MsMorrisine

I have seen discussion about differing standards for FBL for different Year and Mints... true? if so, what are the differing standards and examples of each?

bushmaster8

Every 1953 MS I have seen has had rather weakly struck pilly Halves. Are FBL 1953-P's ever found in Treasury Mint Sets?

I asked Steve Leber this once many yrs. ago and he said, "Yes, sometimes they are well struck in the mint sets."

But I'll be darned if I have seen any. I figure you have probably looked at as many 1953 mint sets as anybody...

bushmaster8

We know that Kennedy had Celtic roots... How about Ben Franklin? Red-headed river dancer before he grayed?

PawPaul

<< <i>Every 1953 MS I have seen has had rather weakly struck pilly Halves. Are FBL 1953-P's ever found in Treasury Mint Sets?

I asked Steve Leber this once many yrs. ago and he said, "Yes, sometimes they are well struck in the mint sets."

But I'll be darned if I have seen any. I figure you have probably looked at as many 1953 mint sets as anybody... >>






as I see it , quite a few PCGS MS65 FBL coins of the 1953 date obviously come from mint sets -

a seasoned , specialist in Franklins would know that 1953 Mint sets produced FBL coins of the Philly mint ....

because Mint Set toning is unmistakable to the experienced trained eye .........


that the best question u can dream up Bushwiper ?

PawPaul

I sure hope i'm on the list for a hard cover copy

ProofArtworkonCircs

<<We know that Kennedy had Celtic roots... How about Ben Franklin? Red-headed river dancer before he grayed?>>

Franklin traced his roots quite a ways back in England.

scotty1418

I'd be curious about future plans for the half dollar as well.

Seems the Mint strategy is to slowly kill it.

Also, I'd like to see a stab at an across the board classification and definition of "Full Bell Lines" - seems everyone has their own idea.

PawPaul

i would like your estimates as to how many mint sets of the 1948-1958 era are still intact and remain in existence

sinin1

Are there any obvious differences between SMS and business strikes during the 65-67 years


is it possible that for some coins, it can not be determined?





Do clad coins hold up or wear better than the 90% silver?

ProofArtworkonCircs

<<Do clad coins hold up or wear better than the 90% silver?>>

I would say without a doubt.
Cupro-nickel clad coins wear better than a 90% silver. Compare a 1965 quarter found today with a 1920 quarter found in circultion in 1964.

A Swiss study found that an abrasion test wore off 7.79% of a 835 fine 1 franc piece versus 2.45% of a copper-nickel 10 rappen piece.
details here:

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=687132&highlight_key=y&keyword1=swiss

RebelRon

Why is it so difficult to find "Vibrant" luster on '48 and '49 mint state Franklin's?

Bochiman

<< <i>i would like your estimates as to how many mint sets of the 1948-1958 era are still intact and remain in existence >>



I know of at least 8

ElmerFusterpuck

I'd like to know how the book is coming along, and wondering if my '61 end-roll toner will make the book?

PawPaul

It's almost time for this book to come out , and the Franklin market to skyrocket

RebelRon

<< <i>It's almost time for this book to come out , and the Franklin market to skyrocket >>

Yes Sir!!! I'm ready!!!

PawPaul

i`m checking my mailbox every day for it

MsMorrisine

I know... I know....

I could have searched. it's easy and I've done it before.

I was hoping to consolidate the info that is already out there in the myriad threads, much in the same way the "silver, gold, etc. modern commems" thread has consolidated much of the PM and modern AGE,ASE,APE Buff talk into a single thread.


I guess I'll search and post the relevant threads to that thread for ... at least for me... future reference.

bushmaster8

<< <i>i would like your estimates as to how many mint sets of the 1948-1958 era are still intact and remain in existence >>



The coin docs are making more and more each day. TRUTH

And PCGS can not tell the originals from the fakes.

PawPaul

PCGS i'm sure is doing everything humanly possible to see to it coins they slab are un-doctored .

they are even kicking back some N.T coins in their attempt to make sure they protect the consumer as well as themselves .

What more do you suggest they do ?