New Purchase. This must have just barely missed cameo!

Or maybe they did things differently in the 1980's.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
15
Or maybe they did things differently in the 1980's.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Comments
I would just let that coin stand on its own merits and not worry about a cam designation.
I don't believe cameo and deep cameo designations existed prior to the mid 1990s.
I would guess that rev is what holds it back, and still would (imo) today; still a very nice coin.
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Based on a bunch of cameos I've seen (but not owned) I would hope that they just did things differently back then. That's a real beauty!
At the time that this coin was certified, PCGS did not issue CAM or DCAM designations to proof Franklin half dollars.
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Sure is pretty!
Or any post-1950s coins, true?
I like it.
The CAC trumps DCAM in terms of value right? Or do you get to keep the bean if it upgrades to a cam??
Really nice half
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The title was tongue in cheek, but thanks to all who shared their knowledge regarding "modern" proofs and CAM designations on rattlers.
It is not getting cracked out. The gold CAC + Rattler is what I prefer.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Quick question:
If CAC agreed the PR67 is solid for this coin and the only "upgrade" CAC sees is the CAM designation, would this half then get a gold CAC sticker?
Or does CAC also need to see this one as PR68 or better before doing so?
Nice!
It needs to be at least a 68. CAC doesn't give gold beans for designation upgrades.
As has already been stated, PCGS did not designate cameo or dcam in that era.
I will note that the example posted is from the "fingerprint die". Look at the left side of the yoke above the bell, it has the look of a fingerprint, but is just variation in the frost.
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That is a very nice coin
Not a big franklin guy, but very nice!
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I am not either but I have developed a real affinity for CAM/DCAM proofs. They are gorgeous. I plan to pick up a bunch of gold CAC ones and just enjoy them.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Rick Tomaska published his cameo- ultra cameo book in 1991. Not sure when the
TPGs adopted the designations.
Did you buy it at Type I or Type 2 money?
Not designated on holder.
That is a Type 2

This is a Type 1 1956 Frankie
Courtesy PCGS
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Have the Fingerprint die examples notoriously come up short for cameo designations in today’s grading standards?
Good choice. Love those rattlers and the sticker lights it UP!
Type 2. Or rather, not for Type 1 money.
The dealer did make me take another coin with it. "You can't just buy one, these two have been together for ages!" For the price, I couldn't really say no.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
That gold bean is a beauty. Cards Speak on that hand.
Nice Franklins.
Love the old holders, no need to have the designation on the labels. The coins speak for themselves.
Not a fan of the green haze. I'm surprised the second example stickered. I really like the 67 though.
That sure can stand on it's own in my books
As far as I know, the fingerprint die examples grade just like other dies for the Type 2's. I don't think they are downgraded.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
So you could have a cam, dcam, or no cam from the same fingerprint die? Are we even talking about one particular set of dies? Or was this FP die common place?
That is a very nice Franklin half...would likely get a CAM today... Not necessary though. Cheers, RickO
The FP die was no different than any of the other 1956 dies. The first strikes of the fresh die yielded dcams, then as the die wore you got cams. Eventually the die wore enough that there was no cameo and I suspect no evidence was left of the fingerprint pattern because the frost was gone.
Your example is easily a cameo, it may even make dcam (I think it would). But I am hesitant to be certain based on only two photos. If the coin were mine, I would keep it in the rattler.
Edited to add: I have only seen the FP pattern on one of the 1956 dies.
I've posted my example from the fingerprint die below - PR68Dcam.

“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
@DelawareDoons that is really amazing to find a 1956 in a pr68 rattler holder! when I was working on my set some years ago I ended up with about 15-20 pr66 1956's and I believe 2-3 pr67's and NO pr68's for the date. In fact, I had only been able to track 1 1955 pr68 piece and I was just not able to afford it at the time and it got sold, cracked and destroyed.
Please keep those 2 together....
For valuation / offer (technically) players will may go by grade on holder but irregardless its super PQ very nice for the grade if not nicer - you should price it on your evaluation. Certainly an upgrade candidate - specify minimum grade on form. As far as cameo wow sure looks like it to me but I defer to our hosts after you send it in.
Until that happens I would price it at multiples it’s grade on holder. One major dealer whose inventory I have analyzed (2 notebook page audit sample) on the Bay (His pricing vs CPG) he prices toners multiple x CPG, and a PQ rattler priced higher than CPG too. Semi PL also bumped up. I am sure he would do same on this one if not send it in. Not all coins the same don’t leave money on table in pricing. I came away agreeing w his pricing (won’t give them away either) and one needs to be on look out for certain PQ qualities. Wonder how high they Would bid it up at auction?
What impresses me about it is it’s cameo contrast and clean cloud free surfaces.
@Cougar1978 Why do you assume he should "price it"? Most who post here are not dealers.
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I appreciate your thoughts, but I prefer to preserve holders, and thus, these will not be regraded, and further, will not be resold. I did put the values for each down as $350 in my spreadsheet, which is 68+ CAM or 68 DCAM money, so the pricing methodology you've outlined holds true here.
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Beautiful example!
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That coin is Cameo all the way!!