Franklin Half Dollars----Bugs Bunny Variety

Rampage · November 26, 2003 5:05AM

Does this variety come in all years, or only the 1951, 1954 and 1955?

Also, between the 51 and 54, which of the two is the rarest?

Finally, if there is another years these occurred, which in all years is rarest?

Thanks. Richard.

MadMarty · November 26, 2003 5:06AM

Where are Lucy and Frank when we need them!!

Russ · November 26, 2003 5:18AM

I'm pretty sure it is only the 1955, and they aren't rare. I've never heard of them for '51 and '54.

Russ, NCNE

RiffRaff1967 · November 26, 2003 5:20AM

I asked this same question on a different forum, and I was told that it does come in different dates, with the 1955 being the most common. Here is a link of how it happens:
Link

Hope this helps!

RiffRaff1967 · November 26, 2003 5:21AM

Here is a link of a 1951 bugs bunny variety that sold on e-bay:
Link

Rampage · November 26, 2003 5:23AM

Russ-

I have a 1951 and it has been graded and designated as such. Looks just like the 55.

I also know there is a 54, but I do not have one.

I will strike the word rare and use scarce.....

.....I know they are not rare like a mintage of 1,000 coins rare, but they are scarce.

Russ · November 26, 2003 5:24AM

I stand corrected. 1955 is the only cool year, though.

Russ, NCNE

Rampage · November 26, 2003 5:27AM

<< <i>I stand corrected. 1955 is the only cool year, though.

Russ, NCNE >>

RiffRaff1967 · November 26, 2003 5:46AM

<< <i>I stand corrected. 1955 is the only cool year, though. >>

I think so too!

dougwtx · November 26, 2003 6:02AM

Alan Sayers of Cheap Slabs sells all 3 years (1951, 1954, 1955) of the Bugs variety. His descriptions state that all years known are scarce except for 1955.

CarlWohlforth · November 26, 2003 6:13AM

Rats! Naturally the '55 would be most common. It just so happens I have one here

Frankie looks more like a vampire than Bugs to me though...

Rampage · November 26, 2003 6:14AM

Carl-

That is a fantastic close-up. Nice work.

Richard.

Mark · November 26, 2003 6:42AM

When I was collecting from 1963-1968, 1955 Bugs Bunny halves were often the subject of promotions. Lots of collectors purchased them because they all knew that soon they would be the next big thing, right after the small date 1960 cents. (Indeed, I was planning to retire at a young age by selling the 1950-D nickel I had purchased for a mere $25!) Anyway, I think that the frequent promotions by the various coin dealers meant that collectors in the 1960s likely were more familar with 1955 Bugs Bunny halves than are most collectors today.

Mark

coppercoins · November 26, 2003 6:46AM

The bugs bunny coins are more hype than anything else. It's a simple die clash and would be possible on any year coin in the series. It's a simple and common die error, not a variety. I guess it's a bit of life for an underexciting series.

Rampage · November 26, 2003 6:53AM

CopperCoins.

Yes, I am aware it is a simple die clash error.

So, I guess the better question would have been:

Are there any KNOWN dates other than 1951, 1954 and 1955.

FC57Coins · November 27, 2003 1:25AM

Raritywise 54 is the rarest, followed by 51 and 55. As mentioned, they're more of a novelty than anything else.

Frank

wondercoin · November 27, 2003 2:45AM

While 1954 may be the rarest Bugs Bunny type, IMHO, it has very little "added value" in high grade AT THIS TIME. I have seen at least one and possibly two different 1954(p) Franklins in PCGS-MS66FBL recently - since the coin is already roughly a $2,000+ coin in brilliant (which one or both of the coins I saw were) no added premium was added on for the variety. Perhaps in lower grade the premium might be there, but, not at the highest grade level.

Also, the BB variety on the 54(p) can be a bit more subtle from what I have seen than the 55(p). Since the 55(p) is widely known and since a 1955 half can sell for as little as a few hundred dollars in the top grade of MS66FBL, I would expect there to be a nice premium for the variety. But, again, when you have a $1,500 toned or $2,000+ white MS66FBL 1954(p) already - it is tough enough to sell the coin let alone tacking on premium for the variety IMHO.

I personally own the 1955(p) BB variety in mint set toned MS65FBL and blast white MS65FBL (I sold the 54(p) BB variety in MS66FBL blast white to a collector). I am not certain of this, but, I thought I read somewhere that BB variety 55 halves are very scarce coming from the original Mint sets. For the folks that own BB halves, are your coins Mint sets coins or roll coins? Also, a blast white MS65FBL BB variety is quite scarce as well, as most of the white coins I have come across seldom exceed the MS63/64FBL line.

Wondercoin

solid · November 27, 2003 1:29PM

I wouldn't call the 1955 Bugs Bunny a rare coin as I once bought 10
original rolls and found 8 or 9 BB coins. I kept the nicest one it is still raw.

Carl, nice closeup! And I agree, definately more vampirish than rabbit!

My coin is blast white with booming luster. Anyone care to take a stab
at the grade? Would the small tick on the upper bell line preclude the
FBL designation?

Ken

WorkingMan · November 27, 2003 2:24PM

I've got about a half a roll of UNC 1955 B.B. halves -- anyone that wants one, and is coming to the MSNS show this weekend, come see me at table 148 and I'll see what I can do for you.

Dan

Franklin Half Dollars----Bugs Bunny Variety

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