Franklin Half Collection Begins

Interestingly, while I have been examining many MS65 and MS65FBL Franklin half coins to get a better understanding of grading, there is a wide variety of eye appeal for coins of the same grade and accordingly a fairly wide range of prices. Since I'm coming off of looking at IHC's, it's probably the size of the coins that contributes to the variety of acceptable marks that still get an MS65 or MS65FBL grade. Of course, when you get what looks like an exceptional MS65, you wonder what kept it back from getting MS66. The fun of learning a new coin series.

An example of pricing variances is the 1953-S Franklin in MS65. There are a number of PCGS graded coins available on various sites with prices from $54 - 65. Then a few more at $70 and $75, a few more at $80 - 89. Then several over $100. Rick Tomaska had a bunch on sale on his coin show at $149. lol I ended up getting mine through Great Collections auction. It is a 1953-S MS65 CAC for $94 including auction fee and shipping. I thought it was a fair price for the quality of the coin and eye appeal. The PCGS price guide says $90. So, plenty of options for the Franklin collector all in MS65.

I went to a local coin show and lucked out. Picked up a 1948-D MS65FBL, 1954 MS65FBL, 1954-D MS65FBL and a 1961-D MS65.