COIN BUYING EDUCATION 101-5 ( New 8/29)

5th Coin



There has been as usual, many auctions which have been url-ed on ebay to draw attention to a specific point or discussion as to value or lack thereof. Most often the photos are not the best. I would like to offer as a lesson in coin buying in this post. I am not the teacher, the posters will be teaching and learning at the same time.

This coin is not for sale. It is the example used.

This coin is graded, BB, or "detail" by a big 4 TPG. The photos are taken through plastic. It is not RAW.


So pretend this is the listing I have put on my auction, and then post what you think as to price and condition. After some action , I will tell you the results. AGAIN, this is a pretend auction I will not sell this coin. In financial groups it is called "paper money" so you can trade stocks on paper and not lose your money until you are ready.

Pretend ad: :smile
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Wow! High Grade 1954-S Ben Franklin Half Dollar. Grading is subjective. Use my photos to make your decision. Taken out of Granny's safe deposit box! Looks good to me. Buy it now for $ 17.00 or best offer.


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Glare between the G and O of GOD are on the plastic.

Ok, what do you think? offer grading/ condition/ price/ suggestions
and why you say so.

It has already been to a TPG and back, so you won't offend or anything.
Again
this is not an offer to sell, nor any offer at all, it is a pretend learning experience. A lab practical if you would.

Jim ( Granny :smile)

 

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i would say 10-14 dollars

 

AU-58....I'll offer you $10....

 

I would of hit buy now for sure. The strike is typical of a 1954 S Franklin half.The fields seem clear for the most part, some strange scratch like looking marks on obverse and reverse at about 5 O'clock. In bottom leg of 4 and between r in dollar and a in America. Very close to a full bell.

I believe it would grade MS63 - MS64. At the buy now price a real bargain. This is my assessment, we shall see how I do.

 

Are those fingerprints on the right side of the obverse and reverse?

 

Noticed that too but my guess is that they're on the holder....

 

I believe I see dull metal on the high points of the bust, so I believe it is not uncirculated. On much of the bell is an odd haze that I can't put my finger on. It almost looks like pvc damage, after the green stuff is removed. Sooooooo.... I think AU 55-58, and maybe enviro. damage.

 

interesting hypothetical.... i dont know much about franklins, but I will go out on a limb and think that they have the same kind of somewhat weak strikes that other SF coins do. I dont see alot of marks, but to me those finger prints look like they are one the coin. Im thinking MS-63, but a bit lower on price with the strike and prints... maybe $13-$15.

 

The Fingerprints are on the coin. That is the wavy lines near date and on back between the R and A. The curved line that intersects the bottom of the 4 is glare since I don't see it on the coin or plastic in hand. The fingerprints weren't there when submitted , and Granny wouldn't lie to you.

Franklins have always been hard for me to grade!

 

the oil means they can show up later.... Ive read it can even be quite a bit later.

 

AU-55 either a week strike or wear on hair behind the ears and the letters on the bell, no FBL either. With so many of thees available in high grades at better prices, I would pass or offer a small premium over melt.

 

AU-58 details (light cleaning)


stainless

 

Don't you think old Ben looks a little ticked-off , like he wanted to be on a larger coin or something : )

 

he's mad about the tiny little eagle on his coin.... he wanted a real bird... :hatch:

 

actually... now that I think about it.... he really was hoping it was a turkey....

 

Now remember if you think it would be BB, marked genuine, marked details, you should say so. Other wise assumption is that it was graded with no impairment.

Granny

 

I'd say the coin is MS64 details with a caveat that it's been improperly cleaned. Frankly from the pics I really don't see any cleaning evidence. So in the old days a net grade of AU55. Price around $21.00

 

Typically weak mushy S mintmark strike
Improperly cleaned: field bottom right of bell "cloudy" due to cleaning, fingerprints on obverse and reverse, nick on rim obverse 3 o'clock position.

Guessing this got a grade ICG MS62 Details Cleaned, $12 given for 'Best Offer' price.

Also, I'm curious about the dark spot on inside curve of the 9 in date. If you are doing close up shots and think its worth sharing this zone to the thread I'd like to see it.