Advice For Collecting Franklin Halves

Welcome! Use numismedia.com for a much better price list than RedBook. The RedBook is always - and always has been - way to high in its values. But this is somewhat understandable since they have to make the book's contents the year before its printed and cannot dynamically update the prices like a website can. The book's main practical use is the historic backgrounds and mintage figures.

Also remember that coins can be toned by albums over time.

Don't be afraid of ebay. I do most of my shopping there. I would go with a slabbed set. It's certainly doable in the grades you're after, and there aren't a gazillion different coins in this set. That's a plus.

You have received a lot of good advice here so far and I agree with the buying certified coins in slabs as then you are sure of the grade you are getting. That said you should look at the coins closely to determine if the look (eye appeal) of the coin fits what you like. Some people only want blast white coins with no toning and others like the toning if it's pretty and only the buyer can determine what he likes.
I also collect Franklin half dollars and I have two high end sets of raw coins and I'm currently working on a certified set and I have it about 1/4 of the way complete. The Franklins with Full Bell lines are nice but they can cost significantly more than the same grade without the full bell lines so only you can decide if it's worth it to you.
I buy most of my coins off of ebay and I only buy coins that have sharp clear pictures of the coin, an accurate description, and I only buy from sellers with lots of feedback that is all positive. You should also be aware that a lot of the main stream dealers are selling on ebay because it's such a strong market for them.

The Franklyn set was the first I completed but I was able to acquire most from circulation. So in revisiting the design I did not want to repeat the collection and delved in cameo proofs. These require being graded and slabbed and it has become apparent that few dealers have any quantity of cameo proof Franklyn's forcing me to use ebay to develop my set.

If your goal is higher graded coins I to suggest getting yours in graded slabs. I like the fact I have a set used for commerce that has been passed from hand to hand and my current set produced for collectors never intended to circulate. Good luck on your endevour and post your additions.

Proof Franklin halves can suffer from milk spots and hairlines. Coins with heavy milk spots and hairlines will be less desirable than ones without those problems.

-MV

and keep us posted with your progress. Franklin is a great set to start with!

Welcome to the world of Bens!

Here is my simple and honest advice. Buy a dansco album and fill it with the coins that appeal to you. Don't shoot for a grade, shoot for a "look" at a price reasonable to you.

If you come across a slabbed coin or two, pick them up if you like them, then use them to work on your eye and grading skills.

No raw coin in this set will bust your budget, but it is a real thrill to finish.

Your taste and eye will become much more polished and you can decide if you enjoy raw coins, slabbed coins, toners, FBL etc.

Personally, I did this and finished my first dansco. I then moved onto slabbed proofs, minimum grade of 65cameo, and am also working on my second dansco.

At this point, don't worry as much about grades or investments. Learn the series and familiarize yourself with the coins you're attracted to... Over time you will figure out which direction you want to go!

Enjoy.

Forgot I already posted here - but thought of a couple more:

The clash known as a Bugs Bunny occurs in more than just the 1955, although the 1955 is typically the only one widely known. These can be fun to look for. Coop has a great graphic in a thread on some of the other dates (use search).








My local coin shop has a large ebay following as well. I implicitly trust this guy. He is the only dealer I ever knew who, when I bought a nicer coin from him, told me the slab number he had broken it out of so I could look it up on the auction he won it from!

His ebay name is oozentoo.
http://stores.ebay.com/Antietam-Coi...047675.l2563

He is a former police officer and now owner/operator of Antietam Coin Exchange in Hagerstown, MD. When I go to the shop for something on his ebay store, he automatically deducts from the price (at least) what he would have to pay in ebay fees and shipping.