Cost to Grade a Franklin Set (35 Coins)
pmh1nic
Posts: 3,307 ✭✭✭✭✭
A dealer recently posted a video online about a collection he purchased. In that collection was a set of Franklin Half Dollars. They were raw coins (I believe they had be stored in an album). His intention was to get the set slabbed (PCGS, NGC or ANACS). He ultimately decided on ANACS mentioning the cost was $500 and that the other services would have charged a lot more. That left me wondering how much more. I asked in the comments but haven't heard back.
Anyone know what the cost would be to get a full Franklin set graded by PCGS and NGC?
The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it possible for an empire to rise without His aid? Benjamin Franklin
0
Comments
It's 35-coins multiplied by whatever grading tier the dealer chooses. Right now, if each of the coins is essentially valued at $300 or less then Economy appears to be the way to go at $23 per coin plus fees. My opinion, stress opinion, is that grading them via ANACS is simply burning a $500 bill because they certainly don't need authentication and the ANACS brand will add no value to them for an enormous segment of our hobby-industry.
https://www.pcgs.com/servicesandfees
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
and they either need to grade high or be fbl to make the mission worth it. don't forget shipping and insurance to and fro
is it a dealer or a "dealer" ?
Easily looking at ~$800 for the cheapest grading available for them. Grading+shipping both ways.
As mentioned, most likely not worth it unless they are all high enough grades/designations.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
If several of the coins have exceptional album color a submission could work out… otherwise it would make more economic sense to leave them as they are. You could put them in airtites if you have long term preservation concerns.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
IMO, a coin would have to be worth at least $100 to justify Economy grading at $23 per coin plus shipping costs.
Even if you set the threshold at $75, a typical Frankie album set might have 2 or 3 coins worth grading, if you are lucky. To wholesale grade the entire set does not seem to be a very financially savvy move by this dealer.
This dealer guy sounds like an ANACS employee
Who would ever buy such a set from this guy after this was done?
Franklins are an easily completed set I guess is the thinking but anyone could easily assemble their own and would probably do so if they felt an overpowering urge to bury themselves
Thanks for the info.
I think the dealer was looking for the least expensive way to get them all into the same slab. He liked the consistent look and got the set for a good price.
But the overall intention of that dealer's post was just to get them back in order to show the grading range of the Frankies in the set. He was not primarily interested in making a score or making it worthwhile to sell, or improving value. He was doing something 'fun', to generate content on his channel, and to provide an interesting look at grading a full set without going to the expense of the major 2.
That dealer gets thunderous kudos from his channel members for his honesty and approach to the hobby. I have no connections to him, am not subscribed, nor have I ever met him or done business with him. But I do watch his content as he does a lot to promote hobby education.
Drunner
I have got a similar issue. I bought a complete Dansco album of Eisenhowers, Proof and MS. Coins are all very nice, with some attributable varieties in there. It would be nice to have them graded, but that would cost more than i paid for the filled album.
Interesting! I just made one this morning. 😜😜😜
This set is in an ANACS holder with consecutive certification numbers that I purchased many years ago.
I forgot how much I paid for it, but I’m open to offers if anyone is interested in buying. I may also list it for sale on the buy-and-sell forum later.
I enjoy my Franklin set raw, in an album. And yes, I do enjoy it.
As for certified, I would go to a lot of shows and hunt them down already graded. As a dealer I found the grading on Franklin Half Dolar to be very uneven 15 to 30 years ago. You could find pieces in MS-64 holders that were better than pieces in MS-65 holders. It seemed like the grading services didn't stress over grading those coins unless they were in "super grade holders" like MS-67.
At any rate, if you are one of those collectors who has to have the set with all of the coins from the same grading service and perhaps with the same style of slab label, good luck to you.
Same here!!!
Cool set!
A very unfortunate AU58 outlier in there. I bet the original submitter was kicking themselves for that.
Collector, occasional seller
Listing it on the BST forum would certainly be more appropriate than spamming it here. If you decide to do so, many, if not most potential buyers would understandably prefer to be quoted a price.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Ok so the real intent is clicks and likes on a you tube or some other social platform channel. While I consider it a waste of money this makes more sense (and I use that term loosely when social media is involved) as a way of drawing attention than as a true money making endeavor.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
When did ANACS start adding the FBL when appropriate?
Welcome to the boards Acarroll (or return if that is the case) - you should read the rules about conduct
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1009079/pcgs-forum-rules-and-guidelines-updated-2-4-2025#latest
As others have said, a Whitman or other album is a fine way to display a BU set of Franklins.
In some cases I would say yes but not in this case. Danny is a straight shooter. Of course YouTubers want clicks but I've never known him to use click bait. He's a legit dealer. I think the ANACS holders look pretty cool while understanding PCGS and NGC holders might mean more value. He's not looking to make a killing but thinks he can make a profit based on what he paid for the coins and getting them in ANACS holders.
As for me, ten of my Franklin's are 65FBL, three are 64FBL and the others are 64-66 non-FBL, six with color that would probably command a premium. Right now they are in s Capital holder which I like but having watched Danny's video it got me thinking.
https://youtu.be/zRZWioXwY2E?si=0O-VS862oBMcNeg6
Is this the same joker that posted a vid of him unboxing some CACG coins and bashing CACG's grades?
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I have not seen that video.