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Franklin halves; what's the fascination???

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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    the fascination for me.......

    The Franklin half is a coin everbody can afford in mint state... It is a simple design, a big silver coin... A coin of my youth...
    Boy did my eyeballs get big when Grandpa would give me his Frankies.. As a very young girl, I'll never forget that...

    As you can see, they come in many looks and flavors..... the Brilliant blast white coin to some stunning Rainbows.... Since
    these coins where in the double carboard mint sets and had some big open fields many have toned incredibly.. and each toner is unique and has its own personality...

    The Franklin half.. 100% American... the Big Liberty Bell.... Liberty.. what we all love about this great country....

    I have often argued that the DCAM Frankie is amongst the most stunning coins ever produced by the mint..... the Mint had crude techniques for proofs in comparision to today... so when you find a deep mirrored heavily frosted Frankie it is something special and must be seen in person....

    Thats why I like Frankies... Be Bop A Lula!!!
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,920 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I ignored Franky's for 20+ years. They bored me.

    One day, I woke and loved them (about 3 yrs ago). I can't explain it. Maybe I've been buying all of Lucy's hype? image

    Really, I love 'em (as long as they're toned).


    Dave
    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
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    Got a few decent toners in a Wayte Raymond album, but nothing like Lucy's 53-S.

    Lucy, can you post the obv of the 53-S ?? Was it an end piece ??

    Many thanks,

    Steve image
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    the 53s has a blast white Brilliant Obverse, this is a rare end roll toner....

    and that beauty of a 53s has found a new home.....
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    Humph....

    image

    image
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    TypetoneTypetone Posts: 1,621 ✭✭
    The fun of mint state Franklins is to find the really nices one among the thorns. Most are mint set toned. Most are ugly, but a few are stunningly beautiful. The trick and fun is to find the beautiful ones, and to not pay a fortune for them. Also to find the well-struck ones.

    Same with the proofs. The CAMS/DCAMs are stunning, but most of the proofs are not cameoed. So, it is a real treat and find to get a nice cameo. They represent the restart of the era of cameo proofs, which really ended in the early 20th century. Many early CAMs and DCAMs were from repolished dies, which makes them all unique and interesting. Unlike modern proofs which are boring in their similarity, Franklin proof collecting is a joy.

    Lucy doesn't have all the "good looks" either.

    Greg

    image
    image
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Lucy doesn't have all the "good looks" either. >>



    Is this some type of flame? Are you refering to me or my coins?
    I never did anywhere state that I have it better then anyone else... but I did say that some of the Franklins I sell are top notch and can hold there own against anyones...
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    MadMonkMadMonk Posts: 3,743
    Lucy and Frank have hit just about all the points that get me. I love the color ones.!!!
    Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
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    TypetoneTypetone Posts: 1,621 ✭✭
    Wow Lucy, what as fast reposte.

    Not a flame at all. You know I would never do thatimage.

    Simply a back-handed compliment about how neat your Frankies lookimage, and a bit of a boast on my part that I have a few as well.

    Now I would say that if anyone wants to buy a few pieces or wants to add to their collection, to check out the pieces that you have for sale. There are certainly some creme of the crop pieces there.

    Lucy, I'm shocked. It would never be appropriate for me to refer to anyone's looksimage. I will say though that car of yours is a real dreamboat.image

    Greg
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    Sorry typetone, I've just been getting beat up around here lately.....

    it makes a HepKitty defensive...
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    Hey, what other series is there where you can buy a coin for $7, get it slabbed , and then sell it for $12,000??

    Fact is, FRANKLINS RULE!!!
    "Wars are really ugly! They're dirty
    and they're cold.
    I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
    Mary






    Best Franklin Website
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    MadMonkMadMonk Posts: 3,743


    << <i>Sorry typetone, I've just been getting beat up around here lately.....

    it makes a HepKitty defensive... >>



    Who's beating you up Lucy??? What a bunch of rock heads!

    Put em up, put em up,
    Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
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    Keep it simple! How refreshing it is to look at these coins after viewing some of the new State Quarters!
    You can fool man but you can't fool God! He knows why you do what you do!
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    Because the little game hen on the rev is so darn cute. I would like to start a set of these. You can make a set of them for $100 or $100,000. And in proof they are killer!
    image
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    LAWMANLAWMAN Posts: 1,274 ✭✭
    Somebody should start a thread like this about Frankies once a month just to get Lucy to post all those AWESOME photos. Good God y'all. I am in awe! Lucy, thanks; don't know who has been flaming you lately because I've been away on biz, but you give good franklin!!! Read the Ben Franklin biography that is out now. He was a unique person. I love the coin because I grew up with them and they looked and felt like the biggest hunk of silver imaginable (other than the silver dollars my grandmother used to give me from time to time for special occasions). Also, back in the fifties, if you had just one Frankie in your pocket and you made your way to the candy store, you could get a humongous bag of junk to eat all week and a bunch of baseball cards!
    DSW
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    You can fool man but you can't fool God! He knows why you do what you do!
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    maddogalemaddogale Posts: 859 ✭✭
    Tell you what, Shamika, let's ask this.......just what do you collect? I am sure if I ask enough people around here, your particular interest would suck to them. No offense, but that's why we each collect different things. Personal taste. (with certain exceptions, such as the Pug with a Stogie, the MadMan of Chicago, and that Russ dude who all have no taste....image ) I think the design is rather plain and lacking the detail that much of our previous coinage had, but then most of the moderns are like that also. image But it is an interesting and giving a nod of consent to the Pug, a very collectable series. Some people (female in particular image) just like fat baldies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    One last thought, many of us grew up during this series being in circulation, so it's a link to our childhood.....capiche????
    "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on; I don't do these things to other people, I require the same from them."
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    jharjhar Posts: 1,126
    A coworker of mine, finally brought in his complete BU Franklin set for me to look at. I'm more than tempted to try to put togeter a set for myself. HepKitty, those are some awsome frankies ya have there!!!
    J'har
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    lucy

    you are an expert in this series, how about some advice for the gentleman. beep bop's are absolutely no help and contribute nothing to the thread. a laugh is great, but why not impart your expertise, we count on experts like yourself to educate us.
    PCGS sets under The Thomas Collections. Modern Commemoratives @ NGC under "One Coin at a Time". USMC Active 1966 thru 1970" The real War.
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    The Reverse of these coins, is absolutely stunning!

    image

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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭


    << <i>beep bop's are absolutely no help and contribute nothing to the thread. >>



    I could care less of this opinion quite frankly...... I love my life and it is very good.......

    Here is what some may consider an educational thread on the grading of Mint State Franklins that I did awhile ago while responding to NumisEds question..

    http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=160990&highlight_key=y&keyword2=101

    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    MarkMark Posts: 3,637 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Lucy's comments on the thread she linked are indeed valuable. Though I don't collect Frankies, I printed her comments and put them in Rick's book on Frankies. That way, if I do ever decide to go after them, I have these great insights already at hand. image

    Mark
    Mark


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    ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    "I am sure if I ask enough people around here, your particular interest would suck to them.

    For God's sake, is this statement even necessary??? image

    I started this thread so that I could read the opinions of Franklin lovers. It was also an invitation for show-and-tell which is always interesting.

    I never implied that Franklins "suck". I requested help in understanding the passion shared on this forum. If you read my responses throughout this thread you will see that I support their enthusiasm.

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
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    ARCOARCO Posts: 4,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
    They are larger, made of silver, and have softer flowing lines and larger open fields which make them sparkle with silver luster. A new collector could own a gorgeous proof or MS example for a very reasonable price and serious collectors can go for the technical aspects such as the FBL's and higher graded MS coins.

    Tyler
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    islemanguislemangu Posts: 1,576 ✭✭✭✭
    "I am sure if I ask enough people around here, your particular interest would suck to them.

    I remember Shamika mentioning in past he collects buffalo nickels......you are going to have to ask alot of people around hereimage

    besides look at the guy....he has already been hit with tomatoes running down his faceimage

    The declaration argued that governments exist by and for the people with citizens obligated to overthrow a tyrannical government.

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    Gotta like a big bald guy coin, except... they have the most pathetic eagle since, oh, 1794.

    I guess you can just think of it as a Cindy Crawford-esque beauty mark. But I've never liked that either. image
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    I have to say, those Ike collectors have 'bigger' coins!
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    << <i>beep bop's are absolutely no help and contribute nothing to the thread >>



    Sometimes there's nothing left to contribute as the coins speak for themselves - I'm sure if Lucille has something to add to the description or grade of the coin, she does when she's good and ready.
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    Another one of my favorites:

    image
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    Blinding Luster on this BLAZER! A tad of a soft strike kept this one from being a ms66fbl, and it still may get it on a re-grade.. You can see strike weakness on the letters particularly on the Reverse....None-the-less, a fabulous coin that I found for $15 raw......Notice the perfect fields..

    image
    image
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    Found a raw 61p..... sent it in for PCGs to see.......

    "David Hall can't you see.... This 61p means the world to me....
    Now I just love your Jazzy ways, HepDaddyHall grade my coin today..."

    Those cats laid a ms65fbl on this one...

    image
    image
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    Luce:

    I can only think that the scrape under the eagle kept it in 65 range - gorgeous coin nonetheless!
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    Another cool color coin....... PCGs only gave me a ms65fbl on it.... you can see a hit to the right of Frankies eye..... This coin is gorgeous and is one of those that must be seen in person. The Reverse is almost perfection with bell lines that cut!

    image
    image
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    cladkingcladking Posts: 30,089 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That's a pretty nice '54-S.

    Looks like the dies were made and set up pretty well and probably made lot of gems
    before they made this coin. Its major problem is just that the dies were so worn. This
    is a relatively minor problem for the date.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
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    i wonder if any of lucy's pieces swould make fbl at ngc? the '49 looks like it mite have the best shot.
    image
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    This one is in for grading, its a cool looking coin...

    image
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭


    << <i>i wonder if any of lucy's pieces swould make fbl at ngc? >>



    image
    image
    image
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
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    foodudefoodude Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭
    Lucy,
    That '61 P sure is Purdy!image
    Greg Allen Coins, LLC Show Schedule: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/573044/our-show-schedule-updated-10-2-16 Authorized dealer for NGC, PCGS, CAC, and QA. Member of PNG, RTT (Founding Platinum Member), FUN, MSNS, and NCBA (formerly ICTA); Life Member of ANA and CSNS. NCBA Board member. "GA3" on CCE.
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    GaCoinGuyGaCoinGuy Posts: 2,856 ✭✭✭✭
    Although I don't collect frankies per se, I do find them to be an interesting series.......my only complaint with them is the design seems "soft", not a lot of detail compared to previous and current halves, and generally not a lot of depth.

    imageimage

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    barberloverbarberlover Posts: 2,228 ✭✭
    I like frankies because it's a reminder that some chicks dig middle age balding fat guys [like me].

    Les
    The President claims he didn't lie about taxes for those earning less then $250,000 a year with public mandated health insurance yet his own justice department has said they will use the right of the government to tax when the states appeals go to court.
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    The only thing wrong with this MS66FBL is that it's blast white image

    image

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