This '52 Franklin Proof Is At The Very Least Understruck

durkastani,

It doesn't matter if it occurred a split second after the coin was minted or years later and professionally repackaged (as many are). It still is not die polishing.

Sorry for the spam. I didn't see that it had become paginated.

@durkastani
One of the great things about this forum is we have people who are the best in their field. Koinpro is one of the most highly respected error specialists in the hobby. Please understand I am saying the following in a friendly manner with absolutely no criticism. Wondering if koinpro's opinion on die polishing is valid is almost akin to questioning if water is wet.

Whatever the situation on this coin - as biokemist said - the mint polishes the dies. They don't try to track down each clashed coin and polish them. Polishing marks also have a different appearance than those on your half.

I am not doubting you broke it open - but not sure when the damage occurred. And a proof held in hand is considered impaired - which automatically reduces the value. So it is a legit concern to keep in mind for the future.

It would be great to see some closer pics and the teeth if possible.

My intent was not to dispute koinpros experience or knowledge. Only to point out the reasons I believe this to be a mint error based on articles on the specific subject of BB Franklins. http://www.ebay.com/gds/1955-Bugs-B...87151/g.html I do appreciate being corrected on my misunderstanding of the polishing process. I can see the logic of polishing the die. In fact, it actually helps me to understand the error and increases my confidence as to the condition of the coin.

That link is great. There are clash marks but they require magnification to see. The reason being because they polished it so much I would think. His disconnected nose plus the free floating hair and the disconnected collar speak to the extent that this die was polished. The polishing causing the shallow eagle shows why the deformity on the reverse isn't visible as well. I feel super lucky getting this one. Sorry I can't get a better picture. It's just so difficult to get the light, loupe and camera all set up for the right shot.

It's not a "variety." It's a clashing artifact found on multiple years of issue with a cute name, which is why NGC won't "attribute" it. Clashing, in the absence of other obvious pickups, could be used as an identifying marker for a specific die pair but it isn't qualification for a "variety" one way or the other.

Fivas however, the person who presented the "discovery piece" of the '52 proof BB will be able to validate it for me now won't he? ;). And it only cost $5 plus shipping.