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A Small Mining Town, Sulphur, & 3 Incredibly Toned Franklins...

I recall reading a story or advertisement in, I believe, the PCGS magazine about three 1960-D(?) Franklin's that were kept by a collector who resided in a small mining town. The increased sulphur content in the atmosphere spectacularly toned these coins over a period of years. In fact, the toning was so vibrant that these coin may be considered the finest toned Franklins for the date/mm.

Not sure if I have all of my facts straight, but the above is the general gist of the story. Anyone else recall this or know anything about the story? Does anyone own one of this coins and could post a pic? I'd love to see 'em.



This story sounds like a version of the Peacack Ikes "bank promotion" holders toning the Ikes tremendous colors.
imageimage
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111

Comments

  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 30,977 ✭✭✭✭✭
    SMTT Small Mining Town Toning



    image
  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    A few years back I went to Mt Lassen and visited the sulphur springs there. You could smell the suphur downwind for miles. There were bubbling pools of sulphur mud. I think if you camped there with your collection for a weekend it might tone. --Jerry
  • wondercoinwondercoin Posts: 16,647 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think I bought one of them for my son Justin who fell in love with the amazing colors at the time when he joined me for lot viewing of that sale. If I recall correctly, the coin was housed in an NGC-MS66* holder. Justin still has it. I am not sure his camera equipment could capture the coin "in all of its glory". Although, at first blush, you do think "this must be AT".

    Wondercoin
    Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
  • robkoolrobkool Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I do remember the same story for a 64' Kennedy half with the same type of toning also from that mining town...
  • Anyone else have any information regarding these Monster Frankies from the mining town?
    imageimage
    Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
    ANA Member R-3147111
  • I remember a whole lot about them .......... but do not care to share it .

    There has been many a post with said coins in the discussions .

    let me see if i can paste a pix of one of them for you


  • << <i>I think I bought one of them for my son Justin who fell in love with the amazing colors at the time when he joined me for lot viewing of that sale. If I recall correctly, the coin was housed in an NGC-MS66* holder. Justin still has it. I am not sure his camera equipment could capture the coin "in all of its glory". Although, at first blush, you do think "this must be AT".

    Wondercoin >>



    It would be nice to see pics of the toned Frankie your son got in his collection. Thx in advance Wondercoin! image
  • Thank you for the link. I assume this is one of the three?

    image


    imageimage
    Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
    ANA Member R-3147111
  • yes, that is one of them !
  • SkyManSkyMan Posts: 9,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have seen more than one of these coins. Let's just say, they are not coins that I would purchase, but I know of some well known Franklin collectors who have purchased some.
  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I recall reading a story or advertisement in, I believe, the PCGS magazine about three 1960-D(?) Franklin's that were kept by a collector who resided in a small mining town. The increased sulphur content in the atmosphere spectacularly toned these coins over a period of years. In fact, the toning was so vibrant that these coin may be considered the finest toned Franklins for the date/mm.

    Not sure if I have all of my facts straight, but the above is the general gist of the story. Anyone else recall this or know anything about the story? Does anyone own one of this coins and could post a pic? I'd love to see 'em.



    This story sounds like a version of the Peacack Ikes "bank promotion" holders toning the Ikes tremendous colors. >>




    Hmmm don`t know why i almost missed this thread "OneCent" but woke up from the couch in time...lol Anyway this is supposed to be one of the culprits...Atleast i was told it could be...But thats not why i purchased it...I am not really into Frankies but as soon as i saw this one i knew if i was going to own any this would be one...The toning progression is very nice and great eye appeal...Why it`s in a 64 holder i have no idea? The surfaces are PQ and very clean and the vibrancy is off the charts...Anyway i dig it and fits well with my other stuff...

    All the best...

    AB image

    imageimage
  • Thanks for sharing AB! I like the colors of your Frankie compared to the other one that was shown earlier. image
  • BlackhawkBlackhawk Posts: 3,897 ✭✭✭
    I work in an industry that uses molten sulfur and have tried leaving some BU 1964 Kennedys in an album in an enclosed area to see if they'd pick up any toning from the sulfur fumes...no go. The answer is not sulfur alone. I suspect that you also have to have other chemicals present and the right humidity for them to do much good.
    "Have a nice day!"


  • << <i>

    << <i>I recall reading a story or advertisement in, I believe, the PCGS magazine about three 1960-D(?) Franklin's that were kept by a collector who resided in a small mining town. The increased sulphur content in the atmosphere spectacularly toned these coins over a period of years. In fact, the toning was so vibrant that these coin may be considered the finest toned Franklins for the date/mm.

    Not sure if I have all of my facts straight, but the above is the general gist of the story. Anyone else recall this or know anything about the story? Does anyone own one of this coins and could post a pic? I'd love to see 'em.



    This story sounds like a version of the Peacack Ikes "bank promotion" holders toning the Ikes tremendous colors. >>




    Hmmm don`t know why i almost missed this thread "OneCent" but woke up from the couch in time...lol Anyway this is supposed to be one of the culprits...Atleast i was told it could be...But thats not why i purchased it...I am not really into Frankies but as soon as i saw this one i knew if i was going to own any this would be one...The toning progression is very nice and great eye appeal...Why it`s in a 64 holder i have no idea? The surfaces are PQ and very clean and the vibrancy is off the charts...Anyway i dig it and fits well with my other stuff...

    All the best...

    AB image

    imageimage >>



    I do not believe this coin is one of "those" coins .......... but, you have one incredible coin indeed !!!!!!!!!!
  • bestclser1bestclser1 Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭
    Gorgeous Frankie,and i do NOT like frankies.Now if it was a Morgan image
    Great coins are not cheap,and cheap coins are not great!
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm always a little wary of toned coins that require "a story" to exsplain their unusual appearance... especially if there is a group of them

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry



  • << <i>I'm always a little wary of toned coins that require "a story" to exsplain their unusual appearance... especially if there is a group of them >>



    I agree.

    However I do like the coin posted by AB!
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    as you say, it seems that every good story has its purpose when it comes to vibrantly toned coins.
  • deviousdevious Posts: 1,690
    Dear AB,

    I LOVE THAT COIN!

    If you are ready to part with it, let me know.

    imageimageimage


  • << <i>Dear AB,

    I LOVE THAT COIN!

    If you are ready to part with it, let me know.

    imageimageimage >>



    hey he just might after those two EORs he just bought
  • bestclser1bestclser1 Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭
    If you know AB,he hasnt parted with a Moose,and would be very hard pressed to.His collection of art is truly impressive,from Injuns to Morgans,and a gorgeous proof set as well among other itemsimage
    Great coins are not cheap,and cheap coins are not great!
  • BarberFanaticBarberFanatic Posts: 671 ✭✭✭✭
    They appear to be right up RickO's alley! image
    My current coin collecting interests are: (1) British coins 1838-1970 in XF-AU-UNC, (2) silver type coins in XF-AU with that classic medium gray coloration and exceptional eye appeal.
  • wondercoinwondercoin Posts: 16,647 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for finding this thread!

    Of course, Justin bought the 1962-D I recently pictured here, not one of the 1960-D coins.

    Wondercoin
    Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
  • frnklnlvrfrnklnlvr Posts: 2,750
    Does anyone know where this story originated from?

  • This is one of those tales that makes you go "hmmm..."

    Well, one of the so-called 1960-D "triplets" is currently for sale on a well-known Franklin specialist's page at a price of 10,900.

    1960_D_sulphur_toned
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    now that i've seen several of the purported "Sulfer Horde" Franklins i'm not at all convinced by the story and not very fond of the tone, either. it seems the Hobby has become so enamored with color over the past decade that anything with tone, regardless of pleasing appearance is drooled over. i just don't get it........................

    -----BTW, since when does three coins constitute a horde?? what a bunch of promotional marketing BS to prop up a price that is just absurd and ready to bury any sucker that pays it.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In one of my many experiments, I built a small box with a mini-fan to circulate air, combined that with the proper sulfur ingredient and a silver coin.... looked a lot like those Franklins.... the intensity and color depended on time/exposure... Cheers, RickO
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>now that i've seen several of the purported "Sulfer Horde" Franklins i'm not at all convinced by the story and not very fond of the tone, either. it seems the Hobby has become so enamored with color over the past decade that anything with tone, regardless of pleasing appearance is drooled over. i just don't get it........................

    -----BTW, since when does three coins constitute a horde?? what a bunch of promotional marketing BS to prop up a price that is just absurd and ready to bury any sucker that pays it. >>



    Consider the seller---par for the course.image
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • ColonialCoinUnionColonialCoinUnion Posts: 10,087 ✭✭✭


    << <i>In one of my many experiments, I built a small box with a mini-fan to circulate air, combined that with the proper sulfur ingredient and a silver coin.... looked a lot like those Franklins.... the intensity and color depended on time/exposure... Cheers, RickO >>



    It would be educational to see some of the results of your experiments.
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>In one of my many experiments, I built a small box with a mini-fan to circulate air, combined that with the proper sulfur ingredient and a silver coin.... looked a lot like those Franklins.... the intensity and color depended on time/exposure... Cheers, RickO >>



    It would be educational to see some of the results of your experiments. >>


    image
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    ricko has an outstanding collection, and has seen and done a lot, and tells about them, but either does not know how to post a picture to the internet, or does not want to.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am photographically disabled.... need a camera, lessons and a nurse...image Also, my experiments never left my possession, and I usually clean them. The coins are of no value to begin with, but worth an educational degree through the experiments. Cheers, RickO
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I am photographically disabled.... need a camera, lessons and a nurse...image Also, my experiments never left my possession, and I usually clean them. The coins are of no value to begin with, but worth an educational degree through the experiments. Cheers, RickO >>




    Hmm...would a box of crayons, a pad of coloring paper, some envelopes, and an express pack mule help?image
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 22,994 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I am photographically disabled.... need a camera, lessons and a nurse...image Also, my experiments never left my possession, and I usually clean them. The coins are of no value to begin with, but worth an educational degree through the experiments. Cheers, RickO >>



    Too bad they couldn't have been (could be) shipped to someone here who does photography for a living.
    Bet they would shoot a few of yours for free.
    If not, send them three and I'll pick up the tab.

    peacockcoins

  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I am photographically disabled.... need a camera, lessons and a nurse...image Also, my experiments never left my possession, and I usually clean them. The coins are of no value to begin with, but worth an educational degree through the experiments. Cheers, RickO >>



    I think that`s a very cool fact finding mission to take low to no value coins and see how they react to different experiments... Comparisons in color and overall look would be invaluable... Good thinking RickO

    ABimage
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
    AuroraBorealis, I totally agree. I was trained as a chemist, and experimented years ago with various reagents and drugstore items to determine their effects on coins. The results left me very cynical concerning the issue of AT'd coins. Every collector should do this, and pay close attention to the results. It's called self-protection.
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • RonyahskiRonyahski Posts: 3,116 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've discussed these coins a couple of times before in posts years ago. Anybody who desires more information about these coins, PM me with questions.
    Some refer to overgraded slabs as Coffins. I like to think of them as Happy Coins.

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