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 Replies: 23 / Views: 5,486 |
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Valued Member
United States
314 Posts |
All, I just finished my State Quarters set and am almost done with my " Presidential dollar" set and have been thinking about the "next" series to collect. I was thinking of " Roosevelt dimes", but have also been thinking about " Franklin half dollar" even more, mainly because it looks like the Franklin is a fairly small "run" (only from 1948 to 1963), so I not a huge effort to get all the coins. Looking at my " RedBook" (which I know runs "high" for prices), it looks like I can probably bet a nice MS-63 collection for around $20 a coin (with a few higher, but none seem to go in the double-digits). This is real appealing, because at my "monthly allowance" I give myself, I can build out a full collection over a year or so. Only ones that look 'expensive' are some of the "proofs", mainly the 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953 proofs. These may need to 'wait' till later, since they appear to be in the several hundred dollar range ? I was thinking of going for all ungraded coins in 2x2s given the price. Although if I ever go for those proofs, I may want to get a "slabbed" one given the price range. What are thoughts on a Franklin set? Anything to "look for" in these Franklins? Problems to look out for? Any risk of "fakes" in this series? Thanks. Michael |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3210 Posts |
Why not try ms63 and Full bell lines as well. Or if not doing bell lines go for 64 or better. Or you can always go the raw dansco approach. If you go the raw dansco approach I can help you with raw franklins. Your call.
FYI
I have a complete certified collection mostly PCGS minimum 63 and most are full bell lines minus the 53S which is almost next to impossible to find in fbl
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Valued Member
United States
69 Posts |
I have the complete set minus all the proofs,I do have the 59-63 proofs I believe.I finished this set several years ago.As you said they aren't too high in price.Mine are some uncirculated and some in AU.I haven't heard of fakes,it is a easy set to finish and I like the coin,good luck in collecting it,I'm sure you will enjoy them they are a nice coin.By the way I have mine in a dansco album.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
Good choice! I started and finished just a basic raw AU-BU album a long time ago and then a few years later decided to add the proof coins to the set. As you mentioned the first 4 in the series were pricey and took me a couple of years but I liked the look when it was finished. I also upgraded the album to a CAPS once I started adding the proofs.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Not to be a show off but a Franklin set is rewarding an do-able. Pick a nice one that really grabs you each time you add to it. You'll always be happy with it. I too don't have the 1950 to 1953 proofs. I should get them before they get to be out of reach. Those issues I am going to buy in person though and be picky about it. Anyway here's mine, I almost have a second set done too with the tough ones out of the way.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
Looks great NickelGuy!! MUCH nicer than the set I put together.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12811 Posts |
Do it! You won't regret it. As others said, it's a very approachable set, lots of fun, and (generally) affordable. And that's a very pretty set, TNG!  Franklin half dollars are the first set I completed. Mine are mostly lightly circulated and hanging out in a Dansco. Time for some upgrades!  Edited by CelticKnot
04/08/2017 11:20 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
I'm about 2/3 through my (uncirculated) set, and you're right they're quite affordable except the early proofs. I'm working on a PR66 set separately, and those are also pretty easy to get but those first few are pricey. Only 3 more to go.
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Just finished my Roosie set, now on to Mercs, have a good start on it. Frankie's are a tad bit out of my budget, same as Washington silvers, have all the class, but again, no proofs, just can't afford them. (Maybe if the stuff on ebay would sell...  |
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Valued Member
United States
110 Posts |
Good choice einstem! I'm was working on a Franklin half dollars set. It is a mix of raw and slabbed coins. Something I want to finish one way or the other. Thanks for your post. |
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Valued Member
 United States
314 Posts |
Thanks all. Sounds like a good one to work on.
In terms of "Full Bell", is it only the two bottom lines on the bell that need to be totally un-interrupted across ?
Do I need to look at the top bell lines at all?
Do you have a good link to some photos of what to look for in "full bell" (maybe with those handy "arrows" that show exactly what I should be looking for under a loop.
Thanks!
Michael
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Pillar of the Community
United States
814 Posts |
Good choice! The Franklins are also one of the sets I'm currently working on. Mine range from cleaned details coins up to BU; right now I'm just filling holes with plans to upgrade over time. I'm not going for the proofs at this time, although the very first Franklin I ever bought was a 1961 proof, 20+ years ago. I've always found them to be a neat coin, all are very affordable, nice short set to complete, and I haven't heard of any fakes like with Morgans.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Great choice. Could put the set together out of circulation when I was in high school!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10029 Posts |
Good choice! I really like the Franklins. But mine are mostly circulation finds. Don't forget the "fun" Bugs Bunny clash. Actually, there is more than one year for this, but the 1955 is famous.   Until JFK was assassinated, the mint was going to make 1964s. So when Daniel Carr made an overstrike 1964-D on a genuine Franklin a few years ago, I admit I had to have one.   This 1964-D gave me one more to add to the series. Edited by Earle42
04/08/2017 5:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1346 Posts |
It's simply a matter of writing a check unless you are going for top grade. I think one would be better mortgaging the farm for one pristine example than a handful of also-rans.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
some of us like our also-rans.
Not everybody is happy with that one 'pristine' coin and like to actually collect coins.
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Replies: 23 / Views: 5,486 |
Posted 04/08/2017 10:05 am
