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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,739 |
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New Member
United States
45 Posts |
While taking photos of these 2 1956 Proof Franklin half dollars I noticed that one appeared larger. The weight for the larger coin is 12.5 grams while the smaller coin weighs 12.3 grams. Using a digital caliper the larger coin measures 30.56 mm while the smaller weighs 30.16 mm. Is this common? Thanks for any help you can give.  |
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
There is a type I and type 2 variety for the 1956 proof, but the designation relates solely to the design of the eagle on the reverse, which has more detailed feathers on the type 2. The weight difference seems to be within ordinary tolerance.
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New Member
 United States
45 Posts |
Thank you for the quick reply. What made me curious is the difference in size, not so much the weight. Franklin's head seems noticeably larger as well as the diameter and circumference.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1667 Posts |
Considering the diameter of a Franklin half should be 30.61 mm and thickness should be 1.8 mm, either both are small or the digital caliper is reading wrong. The one on the right (if looking at the screen) has much stronger details, which may account for the "larger" appearance. Seems unlikely you would have a nicely reeded edge if the diameters were small being that the collar is the retainer of size, and it can't be wear because they wouldn't look this good. This could very well be a type 1 and type 2 proof 1956 frank. or just one better struck than the other, the type 1 has a more detailed or "fatter" appearing face, more detailed hair, and cheek ect., in my opinion, looking at the two coins side by side in other pictures. Curious to see the reverses of both coins also if possible.... close ups of the eagles on both. Just guessing really, left coin type 2, right coin type 1 possibly? |
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New Member
United States
45 Posts |
Thank you for all the information.I probably was not too accurate with the caliper since I tried to measure while the coins were in flips (was afraid to damage them). I took photos of the reverse as per your suggestion. Thanks again for your help.   |
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
The pictures aren't sharp enough to make a precise determination, but it looks like the one on the top is a type 1 and the one on the bottom is a type 2 based on the additional feathers on the eagle's chest. In Rick Tomaska's "Guidebook to Franklin & Kennedy half dollars," he notes that on the type 2, "one will notice a distinct softness of the latter's design elements, which are found in sharper relief on the earlier issues." He attributes this to wear on the master die. |
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3402 Posts |
I have to believe that both the weight and diameter are within tolerances.
KK
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New Member
United States
45 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1667 Posts |
I still can't quite make out the eagles on the reverses to be sure but looks like there's a difference between the two. Here's what you are looking for. I can't get the picture big enough to see the eagle that well. Could be a type 1 and type 2, but could still be just one has a stronger strike than the other. Only about 5% of all 1956 Frank proofs were struck with type 1 reverse.  Edited by Big-Kingdom
07/09/2019 02:56 am
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,739 |
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Posted 07/08/2019 1:53 pm
