Completed my Franklin Halves Whitman Album today

mcarney1173 · April 27, 2020 2:05PM

Thanks to some eBay purchases I received today, my AU/UNC Franklin Half Whitman Album set is complete. This is only the second set of any series I have ever completed- the first being a BU Dansco Set of ASE's that I sold on the BST a few months ago. I have been collecting for over 10 years now and have always been a "type" collector attempting various 7070's throughout the years but never coming as close to completing it as I am now.

The majority of the Franklin set is Uncirculated. For some of the more common dates, if my local coin shop bargain bin had an AU piece for $8-9 I would buy that instead of paying a premium for gem of a common date. For most of the tougher dates I did aim for MS63 or better to add value to the set. My favorite coin in the set is the 1959 due to the nice toning on both sides (photos below)

As for future collecting endeavors, I recently purchased a US Gold Type page for my 7070 and the type set has broadened my interest in halves and silver dollars as they are large coins and I like the history of silver dollars. I also started dansco/whitman albums of Walkers, Peace, Morgans.

TomB · April 27, 2020 2:12PM

Congratulations!

It looks like you did a really nice job of putting together a great looking set.

Strat · April 27, 2020 2:23PM

Enjoy your accomplishment, congrats!

ChrisH821 · April 27, 2020 2:28PM

Nice set. Your 49-S looks very solid.

SkyMan · April 27, 2020 2:28PM

Congratulations!

DRUNNER · April 27, 2020 2:57PM

Very well done. Your photos present it well . . . and it is a nice accomplishment !!!!!

Drunner

isaiah58 · April 27, 2020 3:07PM

I would like to ask about the 1963. Most of the coins have nice luster, a few minor toning other than the 59 you like the most. Why did you choose the 63?

I am considering starting a similar collection, once things open back up so I can pick them out in person.

mcarney1173 · April 27, 2020 3:12PM

@isaiah58 said:
I would like to ask about the 1963. Most of the coins have nice luster, a few minor toning other than the 59 you like the most. Why did you choose the 63?

I am considering starting a similar collection, once things open back up so I can pick them out in person.

It definitely has a little bit of haze to it but more luster than shown in the photograph. I bought it because it’s a common date and didn’t cost too much more than melt value. I wanted the key dates to be the coins I invested the money in. Franklins are a nice affordable set to put together in uncirculated condition and I would definitely recommend starting one

isaiah58 · April 27, 2020 3:57PM

@mcarney1173 I appreciate the answer and advice. Since I have time to think this out, I am pretty much between AU coins or the apparently limited jump to MS64 for many in the $20 range. Until I can shop in person, I can not determine if there is enough savings on raw MS64 versus slabbed. Looking online, it appears the lesser expensive slabs tend to have inconsistent toning, spots of toning, or contact marks in more prominent areas. I guess for the most part, I am saying I am fine paying $20 or so for everything other than key dates. Your approach makes sense as I sometimes see a AU coin that looks nice and low MS coins that do not.

kaz · April 27, 2020 4:04PM

Nice looking set of Frankies, congrats on completing it, and thanks for sharing.

Intueor · April 27, 2020 5:32PM

@mcarney1173
Just a heads-up. Your favorite 1959-P reverse is the Type 2 Eagle variety off a retasked Proof reverse Working Die.
Nice coin. Maybe check the others in the set for varieties. Here is a good link:
varietyvista.com/11%20Franklin%20Halves/index.htm
Good luck!

jesbroken · April 27, 2020 6:56PM

Nice. Thanks for sharing.
jim

CoinJunkie · April 27, 2020 7:06PM

Nicely done! The 59 definitely calls attention to itself in that group.

Flatwoods · April 27, 2020 7:15PM

Congratulations! I do love to see sets like that.

Dave99B · April 27, 2020 7:24PM

Well done! You don’t see many complete sets anymore, especially housed in an album. Nice! 👍

Dave

Jimnight · April 27, 2020 7:32PM

That's very cool!!!

jmski52 · April 27, 2020 8:28PM

I've always liked Franklins, and that's a nice set!

rln_14 · April 27, 2020 9:31PM

Thanks for sharing, I have been "working on" a Franklin set for about nine years now, one of these days, my last purchase was a 54s, still need the 49's too, and others, congrats on completing the set

joeykoins · April 27, 2020 9:49PM

Nice collection, dude! Esp. the toned. Any "Bugs Bunny"?

ricko · April 28, 2020 5:34AM

Nice set of Franklins...IMO an underappreciated series. You mentioned now having acquired several albums, so I think you will be really busy in the coming couple of years... Best of luck and give us reports on your progress... Cheers, RickO

Eldorado9 · April 28, 2020 7:26AM

Very nice set. Franklin's have been one of my favorites over the years....Nice Job on the set!

jedm · April 28, 2020 7:33AM

Very nice thanks for sharing pics. I never tire of looking at other peoples stuff. I like the '52 S for some reason. That feeling of accomplishment when the last hole is filled is quite satisfying. I predict it's because of that -now you'll be starting another set!