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Franklin Grading Contest-PCGS Frankie Prize***Winners Announced***
Ronyahski
Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭
These 5 coins are submitted into PCGS. Guess what grade they will come back. Winner receives a PCGS 65FBL or 66 Franklin, I'll provide a few choices of dates for the winning prize, and it will be a nice coin.
Rules:
0) Guess grades and FBL for all coins: 1948D,1952S,1953,1954,1955
1) Guess the grade, 1 demerit for every grade off.
2) Guess FBL or no, 1 demerit if wrong.
3) All YNs start off with 2 bonus points, just tell me you are a YN in your reply.
4) Any ties will be broken with the 55 Franklin.
5) Dealers, Dog, and Bop-play for fun and if you win, present your prize to the top YN. Sorry Frank and Lucy, you count as pros.
6) Guesses can be made until the day the coins come back - hope that is not too far away.
7) Hint: I just cracked out all of these out because I thought they were upgrade candidates. 3 were PCGS, 2 were NGC.
I'm doing this a) for some fun, b) hoping a YN will win, but congrats to anyone who does, and c) as a cheap marketing ploy as these coins will go up on the BST when they come back.
The results of the contest are at the end. I've added the old slab grades, grades received from PCGS, and some comments.
1948D
Grade: 66FBL
Old Grade: NGC 65FBL
I thought this was the easiest coin to grade from the pics. No marks, fully lustrous, and a typical full strike and FBL for a 48-D. For a 48-D, the toning on the coin is fantastic. I suspect that some of you marked the coin down a bit because of the lack of full toning on the obverse. This is very natural toning and PCGS does not typically view such toning as negative.
1952S
Grade: 65FBL
Old Grade: PCGS65
Another fully lustrous coin with no marks, and a creamy toning. The strike is not bad. I grade the coin a solid 66. I'm not sure why it got a 65. Maybe the grader thought some of the darker toning was unattractive or were carbon spots. Most of you did not grade the coin FBL. Even though the lower lines are not fully struck, they do run all the way through, and to the crack. PCGS pays little to no attention to the upper lines, witness the practically non-existant part of the upper lines.
1953
Grade: 64
Old Grade: PCGS 65
Many of you were closer to the grade of this coin than I was. I think the coin is a solid 65 - some hits on the bell (not a hit on the left obverse, don't know what that is) and another very lustrous piece. I find the toning pleasing, but not a plus. I sent it in to try for FBL, since they are much rarer for the grade. There is a little weakness to the left of the bell crack, and some chatter in the middle left. I grade it FBL, but can't get too upset at no designation. I am a little surprised it downgraded.
1954
Grade: 65FBL
Old Grade: NGC 66 (prior to designation)
This is by far, in my opinion, the nicest coin of the lot. Another blazer with no marks, and very colorful, especially for a 54. It just has that look of a gem. Some were turned off by the reverse. Don't think you would be in person. This kind of reverse toning, I call dual luster toning. Compare the middle to the mirror like toning at the rims. Attached is another (fuzzy) picture of the reverse at a different angle, at the end of the post. I grade the coin 66. The only thing I can think of that PCGS did not like is the weaker reverse strike, or maybe two small hits on the bell. The coin is FBL, although it looks a bit weak in the middle left (and I just noticed my fuzzy picture), so I can see how it could appear non-FBL to some.
1955
Grade:65
Old Grade:65
Well, PCGS was consistent on this one. 1955 is a date, no, THE date, that PCGS grades the toughest. I think alot of it has to do with toning appeal. I find this coin very attractive and grade it 66. PCGS thinks this type of toning is too dark, and will view it as a slight negative before viewing it as a positive. That is why I think it is in a 65 holder.
Now for the no-FBL designation. You can see that obviously the lines are fully struck, and obviously what kept this coin from FBL is the nick through the lines. To this point I will say, PCGS has undoubtedly, no questions asked, unequivocally, changed their grading standard on FBL. I could dip into some of my older slabbed coins and in five minutes pull out a boxful that look just like the lines on this 55, with the same nick, and they will all be in FBL holders.
So, you win some and lose some.
Now to the contest....
Now for the winners. Congratulations to JRocco for winning the contest. JRocco had only 4 demerits, and wins a 65FBL or 66 Franklin.
JRocco won on the tie-breaker in guessing the grade of the 1955. p8nt (Ben) also had only 4 demerits. This was Bens' first attempt at grading Franklins, a pretty impressive job. Since Ben aced his first attempt, tied for 1st, and is also our low score YN, Ben also wins the contest for a 65FBL or 66. Congratulations to both!
Good job by the runners-up: Bushmaster8, CoinAddict, MadMonk, tsacch, and Numismatics.
Edited: 2 bonus points for YNs.
Rules:
0) Guess grades and FBL for all coins: 1948D,1952S,1953,1954,1955
1) Guess the grade, 1 demerit for every grade off.
2) Guess FBL or no, 1 demerit if wrong.
3) All YNs start off with 2 bonus points, just tell me you are a YN in your reply.
4) Any ties will be broken with the 55 Franklin.
5) Dealers, Dog, and Bop-play for fun and if you win, present your prize to the top YN. Sorry Frank and Lucy, you count as pros.
6) Guesses can be made until the day the coins come back - hope that is not too far away.
7) Hint: I just cracked out all of these out because I thought they were upgrade candidates. 3 were PCGS, 2 were NGC.
I'm doing this a) for some fun, b) hoping a YN will win, but congrats to anyone who does, and c) as a cheap marketing ploy as these coins will go up on the BST when they come back.
The results of the contest are at the end. I've added the old slab grades, grades received from PCGS, and some comments.
1948D
Grade: 66FBL
Old Grade: NGC 65FBL
I thought this was the easiest coin to grade from the pics. No marks, fully lustrous, and a typical full strike and FBL for a 48-D. For a 48-D, the toning on the coin is fantastic. I suspect that some of you marked the coin down a bit because of the lack of full toning on the obverse. This is very natural toning and PCGS does not typically view such toning as negative.
1952S
Grade: 65FBL
Old Grade: PCGS65
Another fully lustrous coin with no marks, and a creamy toning. The strike is not bad. I grade the coin a solid 66. I'm not sure why it got a 65. Maybe the grader thought some of the darker toning was unattractive or were carbon spots. Most of you did not grade the coin FBL. Even though the lower lines are not fully struck, they do run all the way through, and to the crack. PCGS pays little to no attention to the upper lines, witness the practically non-existant part of the upper lines.
1953
Grade: 64
Old Grade: PCGS 65
Many of you were closer to the grade of this coin than I was. I think the coin is a solid 65 - some hits on the bell (not a hit on the left obverse, don't know what that is) and another very lustrous piece. I find the toning pleasing, but not a plus. I sent it in to try for FBL, since they are much rarer for the grade. There is a little weakness to the left of the bell crack, and some chatter in the middle left. I grade it FBL, but can't get too upset at no designation. I am a little surprised it downgraded.
1954
Grade: 65FBL
Old Grade: NGC 66 (prior to designation)
This is by far, in my opinion, the nicest coin of the lot. Another blazer with no marks, and very colorful, especially for a 54. It just has that look of a gem. Some were turned off by the reverse. Don't think you would be in person. This kind of reverse toning, I call dual luster toning. Compare the middle to the mirror like toning at the rims. Attached is another (fuzzy) picture of the reverse at a different angle, at the end of the post. I grade the coin 66. The only thing I can think of that PCGS did not like is the weaker reverse strike, or maybe two small hits on the bell. The coin is FBL, although it looks a bit weak in the middle left (and I just noticed my fuzzy picture), so I can see how it could appear non-FBL to some.
1955
Grade:65
Old Grade:65
Well, PCGS was consistent on this one. 1955 is a date, no, THE date, that PCGS grades the toughest. I think alot of it has to do with toning appeal. I find this coin very attractive and grade it 66. PCGS thinks this type of toning is too dark, and will view it as a slight negative before viewing it as a positive. That is why I think it is in a 65 holder.
Now for the no-FBL designation. You can see that obviously the lines are fully struck, and obviously what kept this coin from FBL is the nick through the lines. To this point I will say, PCGS has undoubtedly, no questions asked, unequivocally, changed their grading standard on FBL. I could dip into some of my older slabbed coins and in five minutes pull out a boxful that look just like the lines on this 55, with the same nick, and they will all be in FBL holders.
So, you win some and lose some.
Now to the contest....
Now for the winners. Congratulations to JRocco for winning the contest. JRocco had only 4 demerits, and wins a 65FBL or 66 Franklin.
JRocco won on the tie-breaker in guessing the grade of the 1955. p8nt (Ben) also had only 4 demerits. This was Bens' first attempt at grading Franklins, a pretty impressive job. Since Ben aced his first attempt, tied for 1st, and is also our low score YN, Ben also wins the contest for a 65FBL or 66. Congratulations to both!
Good job by the runners-up: Bushmaster8, CoinAddict, MadMonk, tsacch, and Numismatics.
Edited: 2 bonus points for YNs.
Some refer to overgraded slabs as Coffins. I like to think of them as Happy Coins.
0
Comments
1952S - MS65FBL
1953 - MS64
1954 - MS64
1955 - MS66FBL
Edited to change the 1953 grade.
1952-S 65
1953 63
1954 64
1955 65
David
1948-D: MS64 FBL
1952-S: MS65
1953: MS64
1954: BB
1955: MS65 FBL
Edited to change the 1954 grade if I can do that.. It was BB, I would like to change it to a MS64.
1948D --> MS65FBL
1952S --> MS66
1953 ---> MS66FBL
1954 ---> MS64
1955 ---> MS66
48d- 64fbl
52s- 64fbl
53- 66fbl
54- 63
55- 66fbl
Thanks for letting me play..can't wait to see how close I was.
1952s-65
1953-65
1954-65
1955-66fbl
Neat thread
Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."
52s- 65fbl
53- 65
54- 64
55- 65fbl
If I win it goes to one of my youth Numi's in the house
tom
1952S - MS66
1953 - MS63
1954 - MS64
1955 - MS65FBL
1948D-ms 62 fbl (edited after reading another post) (Imo toning lacks eye appeal)
1952s-ms 65 pl (to many hits on lines, but looks clean and lusterus obv + rev)
1953-ms 65 fbl (nicer toning than the 48 nice luster)
1954- ms 64 (I don't like the rev.)
1955- ms66 fbl (best lines of the bunch has luster and eye appeal)
I'm an old fart, but I'm a novice collector. I wonder if I got anything right.
pz
(Priest) BLASPHEMY he said it again, did you hear him?
`52S-65
`53-63
`54-65
`55-66FBL
1948D - MS65FBL
1952S - MS64
1953 - MS65
1954 - MS64
1955 - MS65FBL
Thanks for the chance
"Exactly."
1948-D: MS63FBL
1952-S: MS62
1953: MS64
1954: MS64
1955: MS65FBL
1948D - MS65FBL
1952S - MS66
1953 - MS64
1954 - MS64
1955 - MS65FBL
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
1952 MS65
1953 MS66
1954 MS65
1955 MS66FBL
Great contest, great prize.
I edited my guess after reading another post. I had been looking for ALL the bell lines instead of the bottom lines.
And I changed 2 of my gradings.
I would still like to know if I got anything right.
pz
(Priest) BLASPHEMY he said it again, did you hear him?
52-S MS66
53-P MS64
54-P MS65
55-P MS66FBL
Nice Contest. Made me learn a little more about Franklins.
What a wonderful contest this truely is.
I choose to sit it out because my response for each coin would be detailed and long and just might sway a few
opinions. (not that I would be right by any means, I would just rather not sway anybody in one direction or another)..
You are very generous and kind....
Good luck everybody.....
"Senorita HepKitty"
"I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
1952-S-MS65
1953-MS64
1954-MS63
1955-MS65FBL
Jade Rare Coin eBay Listings
1948d, ms63fbl
1952s, ms64
1953, ms65fbl
1954, ms63
1955, ms65fbl
1952S - MS66
1953 - MS64
1954 - MS64
1955 - MS66FBL
I am a YN. Thanks for the chance.
52S) Weak Strike and Milk Spot---Not FBL MS64
53P) Huge hit in the obverse field----Not FBL (merging lines) MS64
54P) Lots of chatter on Bell lines-----Not FBL MS63
55P) Not bad MS65 FBL
PURPLE!
1952S, ms-65
1953, ms-65 FBL
1954, MS-64
1955 ms-66FBL
Good luck (TO YOU AND ME)
A witty saying proves nothing- Voltaire (1694 - 1778)
An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor
does the truth become error because nobody will see it. -Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)
1952-S-MS66
1953-MS65
1954-MS66
1955-MS66FBL
1952-S - ms63 FBL
1953-P - ms64
1954-P - ms63
1955-P - ms65 FBL
And that's hows I sees um............
1952-S - MS64
1953 - MS63
1954 - MS64
1955 - MS65FBL
U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
1952-S: MS66
1953: MS64 (Vacilatting on FBL or not on this one.....the blow up shows the hits, but not sure how a grader, with a 5x loupe or bare eye, would call it).
1954: MS66 (I LOVE the luster and look on this one)
1955: MS66FBL
I'm going to err on the higher side on these as I believe the enhanced images make things look worse than they are.
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
52---MS 64
53---MS 63
54---MS 64
55---MS 65 fbl
If I win I'll use it for my 100th post give away. They are all very nice coins. Hope PCGS does better than me
48- 65FBL
52s- 64
53- 63
54- 64
55- 65FBL
whatever the "official numerical" outcome, very pretty coins!
I am in it for the fun not the prize- save the prize for a YN....
Let's hear from some more YNs, there must be more of you on the boards. There's lots of posts and pictures on how to grade Franklins, so go take a look at them and come back here and take a shot. Remember, you get a head start from the rest with 2 bonus points.
52-s MS65
53 MS64FBL- nice strike
54 MS65-cool color for a 54
55 MS65FBL
These are the grades I think PGCS will assign.
and they're cold.
I don't want nobody to shoot me in the foxhole."
Mary
Best Franklin Website
52 S MS65
53 MS65
54 MS63
55 MS65 FBL
66
64
65
65
1952-S MS-66
1953 MS-65
1954 MS-65
1955 MS-66FBL
I am a YN if you include 18 year olds. Very nice Frankies.
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
1 - 64 FBL
2 - 66 no bell
3 - 64 no bell
4 - 65 no bell
5 - 66 FBL
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
Has everyone seen it?
Don't want to forget about this one
pz
(Priest) BLASPHEMY he said it again, did you hear him?
52s MS-66
53 MS-64
54 MS-65
55 MS-66
1952 -- MS65
1953 -- MS65FBL
1954 -- MS 63
1955 -- MS66FBL
A Franklin expert would not bother sending in coins that were at least in cracked out MS-65 holders unless the coins were shot 66 or higher..............
So i am changing my guesses ! ALL MS-68 !!!!
Points being tabulated and Winner announced tomorrrow!
52S 65
53 64
54 64
55 66 FBL
bit1work
<< <i>Hey, I won- thats really cool. Thanks. >>
Congrats, Jrocco! You got a Premium Frankie on he way!
TorinoCobra71
Hey! I got an honorable mention!
It's really tough grading by photo, and I was really hesitant to do so, especially considering who was sending these in. Bushmaster (I know his reputation, he's been in Franklins a long time) is as knowledgeable as it gets. I was happy to see his name in the mix as well.