| Author |
 Replies: 13 / Views: 586 |
|
|
New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Hi all! I bought a roll of 1955 Franklin's from a national trusted website that claimed the coins were "uncirculated". Nothing about "brilliant" or not. Using a phone app, most were graded AU-55 or AU-58, with 4 being MS. I've read your posts about AU & MS grading and that a circulated coin could earn an MS rating, but if a coin is truly uncirculated, should it rate at least an MS-60? Or is it like the Pirate Code - just a suggestion..... Here's an example of what I got. Thanks!!!  *** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum.  ***Edited by JBoz
10/22/2025 3:56 pm
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
Phone AP's for grading are not accurate. In the above both are uncirculated, and your AU55 looks to be a higher grade than your ms64
|
|
New Member
 United States
4 Posts |
Thank you sir! Yeah, I'm finding that out about the phone app... I can retry several times until I get the best grade.  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
24872 Posts |
Quote:
Using a phone app
I can retry several times until I get the best grade. Use your eyes, not your phone. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
Just so you know, with the current spot price for silver, unless the 1955's are MS64 or greater they are considered bullion. They have no premium over the spot price. So an MS63 or AU55 essentially have the same value. I doubt if you graded any of the coins, any would grade MS65 or higher.
Edited by hfjacinto
10/22/2025 4:27 pm
|
|
Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
The grading apps are still years away from offering consistent and realistic results. Never say never though.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2001 Posts |
Forget apps and learn to grade with your own eye in conjunction with photograde. The best indication of an uncirculated coin vs a lightly circulated example is a break in luster. Under proper lighting, an uncirculated coin will exhibit a cartwheel luster when the coin is tilted in different directions. That luster should flow over the devices and be unbroken. You need to know the high points of a coins design (the areas that will exhibit wear first) to see if the luster remains intact over those areas.
|
|
New Member
United States
4 Posts |
hfjacinto - "Just so you know, with the current spot price for silver, unless the 1955's are MS64 or greater they are considered bullion. They have no premium over the spot price. So an MS63 or AU55 essentially have the same value. I doubt if you graded any of the coins, any would grade MS65 or higher."
Lovely. How would someone acquire this information?
Thank you, hfjacinto.
|
|
New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Thanks all! I really appreciate the information. I was using a web site's photo grading photos but when I found out about that phone app, I got lazy.
Also wondering why websites post prices that seem to be way over what the going price is. I mean, according to website xxxxx that a MS-65 '55 Franklin is worth $80 and an AU-58 is worth $45. Is it a "You found a fool" price?
Again, Thanks all!!!! And thanks for being gentile to a neophyte!
Edited by JBoz
10/22/2025 5:21 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
There is a price guide called Grey Sheet, I get them from my local dealer. Grey sheet is what dealers use to price coins. It's expensive at $40+ per magazine, but it's valuable as it gives the current prices (wholesale).
The websites are retail, those prices are what most people pay, but I use greysheet and work from there. I won't pay much more over if all I'll get is spot. It's a tool you use, like every other tool it has its uses.
Edited by hfjacinto
10/22/2025 5:23 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
613 Posts |
Hi JBoz, The first thing I would recommend is to purchase a Red Book. Within its pages you will learn about all American coin series, retail values and grading tips (and more). In regard to pricing there are so many factors to be aware of including whether a coin has been graded by a TPG services (third Party Grading Service), overall condition and grade, attractiveness of the coin (toned?) and more. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10029 Posts |
There is a lot to know about grading. A person can get an idea what grading company might put onto a slab, but it really is important to understand the info posted here on this forum or you set yourself up to lose a lot of money. https://www.coincommunity.com/colle...t-graded.asp |
|
Moderator
United States
15381 Posts |
 to the CCF Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2330 Posts |
From PCGS Jaime Hernandez: The 1955-P Franklin half dollar is the lowest mintage coin in the series. It has a mintage of just under 2.5 million, which in itself is considered somewhat of a low mintage especially for coin issued for circulation. Although, it is the lowest mintage coin in the series it is fairly easy to find them in dealers inventory at shows even in Uncirculated grades they are obtainable with minimal effort. You can also look for FBL's and a couple of Varieties (FS-401 and FS-402) that are popular. smat |
| |
Replies: 13 / Views: 586 |
|
Posted 10/22/2025 3:55 pm
