Ben Franklin Set Purchase

namwalker

A few days ago there was a question posted about what would be a good purchase today that would have good price appreciation over the next ten years that you have a purchase cost of less than $2,000. At that time I posted two possibilities (1) completion of a ATB quarter set that would have all mints plus silver coins for each park location. This is a set that I am working on currently (among others), and (2) purchasing a complete set of Ben Franklin coins and then upgrading the coins as necessary.

Well today I took the step of purchasing a complete set for less than $500. There are a number of coins in BU condition but as one would expect there are others in used condition. So now my quest begins on upgrading this set and seeing what I can make out of it. On one hand these coins almost certainly could be purchased raw at close to melt, and presently I have no idea if a set of high grade coins is possible to put together and if when I get my goal completed whether or not I accomplished the second part of the project of having truly increased the overall value of the set.

Is my quest doable or am I going to be chasing ghosts and have no real price appreciation in the end? I just hope that I'm not going to be going down in flames over this project.

TomB

It has been my experience that Franklin half dollars do not make any collector money unless bullion goes up dramatically or unless the collector is incredibly savvy, knowledgeable and patient enough to pick out unattributed DCAM proof pieces, wildly toned pieces or non-designated FBL pieces. Sadly, if you purchased a complete set of AU/BU Franklin halves then I think you are starting out in a hole since the better dates will be slider AU coins and they will take the bulk of the money to improve. This is not a set that I view as a long term winner unless bullion keeps moving aggressively or you pick out the coins described above.

AUandAG

<< <i>It has been my experience that Franklin half dollars do not make any collector money unless bullion goes up dramatically or unless the collector is incredibly savvy, knowledgeable and patient enough to pick out unattributed DCAM proof pieces, wildly toned pieces or non-designated FBL pieces. Sadly, if you purchased a complete set of AU/BU Franklin halves then I think you are starting out in a hole since the better dates will be slider AU coins and they will take the bulk of the money to improve. This is not a set that I view as a long term winner unless bullion keeps moving aggressively or you pick out the coins described above. >>




Might want to reconsider and start over with something other than Franklins or ATB Quarters.




bob

nutmeg

Namwalker: Several years ago I did a few sets of Franklins with one set being of better quality coins. As I recall a number of coins were upgraded to what I saw as FBL. Most of the better coins cost $35 to $60 each. This is a raw buisness strike set in a Dansco album. I felt pretty good when it was completed.
At that time a very nice set was going for $650 to $750.
When I started many coins were purchased in bulk lots for $5 to $8 each hence several sets were completed. I sold off at least two sets and remember one was sold for $235. I think the other set was sold for less.
I could be wrong but it seems Franklins are not as widely popular as they once were.
I still have the nicer set and one circulated set. It is a nice passtime and especially if you like the series.
However there is little upside to spending big bucks unless you intend to keep it for personal enjoyment.
In other words it would be difficult to ever get your money back [unless of course silver goes nuts].
So I have another set started with 16 coins. I have no desire to complete it and it just sits there.
And through the years I have heard several times people say they dislike Franklins.
In summary I think there are better coins to sink money into.

SkyMan

A fool and his money are soon parted with Franklins.

Trust me, I know.









OTOH, they are a FUN series to collect, and can be as easy or difficult a grouping of coins to collect as you wish to make them. As long as you are not planning on making money on them, I think you will find them a sneakily attractive grouping of coins to collect. If that does not do it for you then perhaps they can be your back-up series of coins to purchase at coin shows (Peace dollars are generally my backup). If you can not find the specific coin or coin series you are looking for at a show, then wander around the bourse and check out the Franklins. You can always buy one or two for relative chump change, and have something to show for your going to the show.

lcoopie

Frankie's are not valued much over melt until you get to Ms65
And than theres the full bell line issue.

mkman123

Buy what you like is my motto and worry less about the investment part

AMRC

Ben was a great guy. Upgrade away!

crypto79

It is a mistake a lot of people make in the hobby with me being no exception. You will almost always come out saving big money by assembling sets your self with coins you like then buying a complete set and upgrading. Remember that you will likely not even get melt from any Franklin that is in need of upgrading and people can hide costs in complete sets as few take the time to do the math which the set melt out at $439.50 today

oneor11

<< <i>Buy what you like is my motto and worry less about the investment part >>



+1

jdimmick

Couldnt have been said better, basically bullion , unless you have a tru un cset, and most sets I see are sliders for the better dates.

In fact guy came in last week with a set of UNC he wanted to sell, the 49-s, 51-s, and few others were AU-58's. He paid 950 for it from some tv shopping show last year. I broke him the news, course he thought I was trying to rip him off. Sold I told him eto call them back and see if they buy it back!

jim

shorecoll

I agree with TomB...I've done well with a few sets, but it was pure luck and I would have gotten hosed if silver hadn't spiked. I like them OK and might put them together again, but knowing I'll likely lose money.

RebelRon

<< <i>Ben was a great guy. Upgrade away! >>

Superb Franklin halves are a labor of love!

LanLord

Yeah, it sucks, but generally speaking, Franklins are not going to enrich your pocketbook.

I have a set because I like them, but I don't ever expect them to be a retirement fund.