Thread: Newest endeavor - Franklins

For whatever strange reason that compels folks like us, a couple of months ago, I decided to start another set.

Business strike Franklins, MS-64 or above, with NGC or PCGS FBL designation.

After watching several weeks of auctions and sales, it seems that some general statements can be made about coins found in both holders.

PCGS examples seem to be more in line with my eye for grading. I find the 64s to be considerably cleaner and less chattery than their NGC counterparts. NGC MS64s seem to regularly have noticeable gouges and dings on almost any part of the obverse, frequently disracting from the overall eye appeal of the coin imo.

NGC examples, on the other hand, are consistently better-struck. To begin with, NGC demands 2 full sets of lines for the FBL designation, where PCGS demands only one...but even beyond that, NGC seems to be considerably stricter in their interpretation of what a 'full set of lines" is. Even allowing for PCGS's lower standard, they seem to be much more lenient on the one set of bell lines they DO consider.

Having said all of that, in MS64 a vast majority of this set simply isn't pricey enough to get TOO worked up about it. So, the intent is to go after coins that I like for one reason or another, that, for my money, stand out from others in their grade and price range.

So...I began tonight with a 57 and 59D from Teletrade. (Seller pictures below)

The 57 is in a PCGS MS64FBL holder. I really quite enjoy the blue speckling on the reverse, and the obverse is as clean as I'm likely to find in a 64.



The 59D is in an NGC MS64 FBL holder. I grabbed this one primarily because I was able to get it at a decent price, and it's got one of the nicer reverses I've seen for the grade, with a typical NGC quality strong strike for the FBL designation. The obverse is cleaner than most of their 64's as well, imo. Overall, simply a nice example for the grade, especially for the price.



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With everyone's kind tolerance, I'll update this thread as I acquire further examples. Who knows how long it will take, or how successful I'll be...but I at least think it'll be fun sharing the process, anyway.

I welcome comments and insights, of course.

Nice coins! I am thinking about starting a similar set of Franklins. I just bought a '61 proof and now I am stuck deciding which way to go, MS/PF.

I love mullet man coins! They are great, and easily collectible--only one real conditional rarity of the MS coins, and a couple of difficult proofs.

PCGS examples seem to be more in line with my eye for grading. I find the 64s to be considerably cleaner and less chattery than their NGC counterparts. NGC MS64s seem to regularly have noticeable gouges and dings on almost any part of the obverse, frequently disracting from the overall eye appeal of the coin imo.

NGC examples, on the other hand, are consistently better-struck. To begin with, NGC demands 2 full sets of lines for the FBL designation, where PCGS demands only one...but even beyond that, NGC seems to be considerably stricter in their interpretation of what a 'full set of lines" is. Even allowing for PCGS's lower standard, they seem to be much more lenient on the one set of bell lines they DO consider.

I would disagree. I think the PCGS Franklins have better strikes, and better eye appeal. NGC is stricter on FBL designation, but overall? I own more attractive PCGS than NGC Franklins.

Thanks for the comments, gang. And yes, I agree Morgan...a fairly easily obtained MS set, with the exception of the 53S.

I should have mentioned that exception in my OP as well. In MS64 it will likely remain well out of my price range for the foreseeable future, so that one coin will likely wind up being the nicest 63 I can find.

I'm also hoping it will make a nice compliment to my existing complete Kennedy set, working backwards in time as it were.

Originally Posted by Morgandude11

I would disagree. I think the PCGS Franklins have better strikes, and better eye appeal. NGC is stricter on FBL designation, but overall? I own more attractive PCGS than NGC Franklins.

I still maintain NGC's tighter standards for the FBL designation result in their FBLs being better struck coins as a general rule.

Strike, however, seems the only thing we disagree on. Regarding eye appeal, I said as much...PCGS's 64s are, imo, generally more attractive for the grade, and closer to what I would grade as a 64 myself. In fact, I specifically pointed out that NGC coins hold less eye appeal for me as a general rule.

I have most of the set in MS 65, and about half of them are FBL. My 53S is a 64 and pretty nice. The majority of them are PCGS, and the Proofs are evenly split between NGC and PCGS. Frankly, the hardest coin for me was the 1950 proof--I found a very nice PR 65 PCGS with CAC that wasn't insane in price--normally that is an extremely tough coin to find that is attractive due to poor quality of early Franklin proofs. I lucked out on that one--it has been posted here before, but I will repost:



This one was the toughest to find that I would even consider spending the going rate for.

That's a stunner! Thanks for sharing that.

Originally Posted by gboulton

That's a stunner! Thanks for sharing that.

You are welcome! I still have not found a 51 proof that I was willing to spend $400 for, as most of them were ugly, and poorly struck. Low mintages of all the early proofs make the playing field small.

Dr. Franklin series is worthy indeed. I've a circulated set pulled from pocket change back when this poor old devil was a wee bit younger. I've always admired Ben. Statesman, printer, postmaster, ladies man.......

Thinkin' I might take up where I left off in '63 one day soon.

Originally Posted by green18

Dr. Franklin series is worthy indeed. I've a circulated set pulled from pocket change back when this poor old devil was a wee bit younger. I've always admired Ben. Statesman, printer, postmaster, ladies man.......

Thinkin' I might take up where I left off in '63 one day soon.

And a pretty good Chess player, i love chess, and some of his stories of playing in Paris are quite funny. You forgot, a very sexy mullet.

Originally Posted by MakingCents

And a pretty good Chess player, i love chess, and some of his stories of playing in Paris are quite funny. You forgot, a very sexy mullet.

And, dare I add, a student of romance languages......

Originally Posted by green18

And, dare I add, a student of romance languages......

An overall package if you ask me

Nice coins! I do have one suggestion though. When I put my MS set together, I bought both toned and blast white coins, I guess it depended on my mood at the time. When the set was complete, the contrasts between the two appearances bothered me. I decided I liked the consistency of the blast white coins and sold the toners to pay for untoned replacements. You may want to decide early which appearance appeals most to your liking. It may save some serious time and money when you reach the end of the hunt and see the overall picture. Good luck with the collection, it is a fun set to put together.

Ole' Ben was indeed something of a standard setter for a great many gentlemanly traits.

bonbon,

Thanks for the input. I already own some "mixed" coins as it were, so know the contrast won't bother me, but it's certainly good advice, and worth keeping in mind for anyone starting a set.

I have one set complete 64 and higher on the uncirculated coins, and 64 and higher on proofs.

Currently working on a 64FBL set of uncirculated Franklins.