Need help grading a 53-S Franklin half.

TennesseeDave

Just curious about the grade.I know it's not FBL,but is it a 63,4,5 or possibly a 6?

PawPaul

At least MS 65

TonedRarities

64 because the strike holds it back.

Jcarney

<< <i>64 because the strike holds it back. >>



The strike is slightly above average for a 53S. I've seen these in PCGS 65 holders with absolutely no bell lines whatsoever.

The coin grades 65 due to a couple scattered hits, especially on the obverse right rim.

Here's a real nice, solid 66 I used to own for comparison.

RebelRon

MS 65

kryptonitecomics

<< <i>At least MS 65 >>



+1

braddick

Rims can be pretty beat up on 1953-S' but your coin looks clean (other than a couple of ticks at 3:00 on the obverse). I'd like to see a couple of other tilt photos but otherwise you're looking MS66 IMO.

bushmaster8

Likely would grade 65. The marks on the nose look to be the grade limiter.

Could go 66 on a good day ?

MadMonk

I'm in the 65 camp, with a shot at 66 if the luster is there, do a dance before you send it in, and then keep a rabbits foot in your shoe until it hits the grading room.

AngryTurtle

<< <i>I'm in the 65 camp, with a shot at 66 if the luster is there, do a dance before you send it in, and then keep a rabbits foot in your shoe until it hits the grading room. >>




Might be deficient in luster on the top of the head, or could be haze or the pics.

Tallpaul000

64, nice coin and clean surfaces with decent subdued luster

SkyMan

65. Could grade higher on a good day. Above average strike for date/mm.

tradedollarnut

I look at that coin and see 63/shot 64 - for the very reason just mentioned. The luster is so subdued. The 66 pictured below it has blast luster and few marks. Honestly, the OP coin almost looks AU in comparison.


Take my comments with a grain of salt as I know nothing about moderns - but I can imagine that they're graded like Morgans ... any problem with luster is magnified tenfold in the grading process.

derryb

64, rub on ben's head, cheek and couple of dings on the rims. I believe a shot at a slight angle will reveal more marks.

metalmeister

Usual strike nice 65

7Jaguars

Not my series but the obverse has issues IMO:

soft strike
hits/friction to upper and lower jaw and also in hair & ear


I too like the field and rims but these issues with the devices (Ben) on the obverse holds me to 63/4, the latter as best case and leaning on the former.

DoubleEagle59

65

PCcoins

Looks 66. Nice coin!

grip

<< <i>64, rub on ben's head, cheek and couple of dings on the rims. I believe a shot at a slight angle will reveal more marks. >>




Agree;That was my first impression.

Frankiefanatic

This is one of those liner coins.
64/65 based on the rub and the mynute ticks to Ben's snout. also looks to have a softness in the hairlines. But this is all a guess from the pics.

Overall- a nice frankie..

grip

Lucy Bop
Has been our board expert on this series.But she has
been MIA for quite some time

WoodenJefferson

This is a typical Franklin from the San Fransisco mint where the reverse appears to be a bit better struck than Franklin's obverse bust. The enigmatic 1953-S with FBL's is surely a prize, but as the OP already states, it will not garner this coveted designation. Any grader worth his salt will take these elements into consideration when examining this coin. As far as the grade goes for a novice, a precise grade cannot be anointed because of what appears to be muted luster. If one were to only go on strike and the number of hits this coin has received, it's a solid MS-64 but on a good day could hold on it's own merits a MS-65.

BTW, there are a few collectors/posters here that are on the same playing field as LucyBop. Frank Chiong stood alone and shared his vast knowledge on this series with everyone who wanted to learn.

Coiny

MS 66