Ebay Franklin Half--How'd We Do?

I'm not sure whether these pics will actually show up here or if there will be a link, but if you can see this coin, we welcome your input. If you can't see it, we welcome your input on how to upload pictures.

Can you grade based on these pictures? What is the max we should expect to pay for this coin? (It's too late because we already bought it, but that's ok, if we make mistakes we want to learn from them.) If it's not too painful, I'll give the details of the sale later.

It's in some kind of slab

 

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Let me make those bigger.


Here you go so people can see at least what date it is lol.

 

Just the silver value is $4.11

 

Given the pics, I'll say AU-55ish....


stainless

 

Doug & De Wabbit:
I can see some bag marks, but...

circulation?

I just don't see wear.
If you are tallking about the jaw & hair curl, I think those are from the bag.

but, even so, low AU!

 

Unless it's a bad pic, I'm going with AU also. If it is MS, the luster looks flat. Could be dipped a little too long.

By the way, from the picture, it doesn't look to be in any kind of slab. It looks like it's in a 2x2 cardboard holder.

 

It's in a hard plastic 2x2 case. I guess that's not the same as a slab. The picture does not accurately represent the luster. It's actually not as dull as it looks. It's hard to tell, but I think the scratches are on the coin and not the case. I don't know how to get the case open or if it's sealed.

 

I can't seem to capture the shine, but maybe this is a little better.



Freaky, can you do your magic again? Or just tell me how to do that?

 

There you go.

 

The field look pretty clean to me. I would go high AU if the marks on the jaw and curl are wear, if not then ms 63 or 4. I agree with treashunt, and don't see enough disstractions to put it low AU.

 

It is so difficult to distinguish sliders by photos, but I think the marks are bag rather than wear also, but wouldn't want to say without seeing in hand. MS-63.

Jim

 

I wouldn't pay even $10 for it unless has FBL which I don't think it does. It kind of looks like the 2x2 says that.

 

It looks to be a low MS specimen around a 63, from what I see in the pictures.

 

Thanks, everyone. You inspired me to pull the coin out again and determine whether it's bag or circulation wear, but I have no clue. I think it looks pretty with some discolored places and possibly some scratches either on the coin or on the case, if that helps.

Okay, more questions. Our 2008 red book has the 1955 coin at $20 for EF-40. Is it a bad idea to use the red book as a buying guide? Also, what is AU as opposed to BU? And here's the painful part (I thought about not doing it now that I know $10 is high, but we're here to learn)....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=170293254086

 

The "Red Book" isnt a very good guide for buying prices. Its a great book for information and maybe to give you a ballpark figure at best as to the value as the information is compiled a year before they're put on the shelves for sale. I always compare and check prices in Coin World and various auctions to get an accurate value. The following link will give you a brief description of what to look for as to grades for Franklin Halves. I hope it helps.

http://www.coincentric.com/GradingFranklinHalves.htm

 

Hmmm. A lot of coin bashing going on here! familyof6, you probably overpaid a bit, but not as much as has been implied here.

The comments about "melt" or $10 for that coin are poo-poo remarks. I wish them luck in getting a 1955 Benjy in that condition for the amounts mentioned.

Remember, no one on this forum (except newbies) pay retail!!!!! Oh and everyone gets all their coins at below melt value.

 

^Ummmm? Hmmmm?
Nice coin! I think the seller used a marketing tactic to get you to use the redbook as a priceguide. Some will do that with non PCGS graded coins and tell you to compare it to the PCGS price list (which has a tendency to be high, from what i have heard) which has no bearing on the coin they are selling. I also think the reed marks on the rh side of the bell lines disqualifies it for FBL status. Your learning and this knowledge was not as expensive as it could have been, so keep up the learning!

 

The coin looks good. Lacks nice luster. But it is a nice coin. So you paid a couple of bucks more than you shouldve. I bet everyone here has at one time or another. Coin Values online is the better way to check prices. They are up to date. Enjoy the pleasure of collecting guys. Its a blast!

 

Welcome to the shark invested waters. Buying and selling coins is an adversarial transaction. The seller is trying to get as much as he can for what he is selling and the buyer is trying to pay as little as he can for what he is buying.

Usually in every transaction one or the other has the upper hand and the upper hand is knowledge. The buyer must have enough knowledge about the coin he is buying in order to barter hard with the seller. If the buyer lacks the knowledge, the seller will most likely get his price and come away happy.

With ebay, you have a lot of experienced sellers who talk up their wares in the hope of attracting inexperienced buyers who tend to overpay. It's just part of the dance.

I'd suggest that you think about developing having a plan before buying coins. For example, why did you decide to buy the franklin? Are you collecting the series? Are you building a type set? I'd suggest researching the coins you want to buy online first and learn as much as you can about the series that you want to buy. Like what does Full Bell lines look like and what does it mean? Also, read the redbook, there is a lot of good info in there about coin history. Learn how to grade the series. Grading is subjective but the difference in grade sometimes can be a few dollars or a few hundred dollars.

That's a nice looking coin and you did ok with the purchase. Right now, think of yourself as chum (inexperienced collector swimming with hungry sharks) but the more you learn about coins, the bigger your life raft becomes. The bigger your life raft, the less the sharks bite.