I have just recently received this 1949 D Franklin and I'm curious as whether to slab or not. What are your grade opinions? I know hat it would have to be a high grade to be worthwhile. Thanks
It's nice but I don't think it would receive FBL in the attribution if you send it to get graded and slabbed. UNIT in UNITED and the rim took some hits also The Obverse has a Misaligned Die Strike.
Nice coin however when it comes to Franklin half's unless they are extremely high grade and perfect not worth the grading fees. Place it in a nice album and enjoy it.
This coin will get the FBL designation, however, FBL is quite common for '49-D halves. If it stands no chance at MS64, I wouldn't bother and, sorry to say so, but your coin doesn't look the part to me (marks at 10:00 on the reverse).
Really?...look at the hit. It's blurry but it's interrupted to me Quote "When a Franklin half dollar is graded, the FBL designation usually only goes to those Franklins which are struck very well overall (not just the bell lines) and is without any scratches, dings, or marks — especially on or near the lines on the Liberty Bell." closed quote
Yes, really Paddy. The guidelines are written primarily to allow the graders leeway when marks are large enough, or so oriented that they make it difficult to determine if the coin was struck with FBL. When so obviously FBL, the mark is less important in rendering the attribution.
Safe to say it has complete bell lines. But from a photo, difficult to say if it'd earn an FBL designation. Nearly all [MS 1949-D] examples are struck with complete bell lines, though severe bagmarks on the bell lines on lower-grade specimens kick many out of FBL consideration... Most examples are very seriously bagmarked and grade MS-63 or lower. -- From "A Guide Book of Franklin & Kennedy Half Dollars" (Tomaska) If it were mine, I'd put it in an airtite -- as I do with most Franklins in my collection.
