As many of you know, I just finished my Franklin half dollar collection (Registry linked in my sig line). The final coin arrived in the mail this morning, so I spent much of my day just looking back over the entire collection. I remember purchasing each and every coin, I remember the shows, the adventures, learning about them. I remember many of the articles that I wrote about each of the pieces (of which most are in my Registry set, albeit cut down due to space limitations). I remember many of the pieces these coins upgraded, I remember what circumstances in life I was going through when I bought them. This collection started while I was in college, has been with me through 6 moves, 3 states, 2 jobs, and a host of other ups and downs in life. Looking back, I can remember the comfort and solace they provided me, and the occasions that some of them celebrate. I am incredibly proud of my set, so I would like to now take the opportunity to let you see it in its entirety, all together. The first shot is just the core collection - the 35 required to complete the set. The second shot includes all the other coins that I have added to the set along the way - toners, varieties, errors, and up in the top left corner, an incredibly rare prooflike. So, without further ado, I give you... The Poe Collection of Franklin Half Dollars.
Congratulations on both completing your set and getting the 2008 best presented set reward! May I ask if you plan on upgrading or are you satisfied?
Yes, there are a few that I would like to upgrade. For the most part, though, I am very happy with the grades of the pieces. I have been upgrading many of the pieces as I go, while I waited for the last couple of pieces to appear.
WOW! One very big collection! Once again congrats on completing your set. Good luck on some of your upgrades, and post them here once you get some!
The highest graded ones are the 1956 (last coin in the third row) and the two coins with prongs in the fourth row (1957 and 1958D). All three are 66FBL.
PF, I don't usually go for Franklins, but that is a beautiful set and a great accomplishment. Congratulations! Could I bother you for a closer picture of the PL Franklin? That sounds very interesting.
Thank you, Mr. Poe. That's a beauty, and a rare beauty at that! I've never heard of a PL Franklin before. That'll get stored in the databanks!
Wow!!! Wonderful set, super photo and a great story as well. It is great to hear that this collection was lovingly nurtured to completion, and it has paid off in spades! Thanks for sharing the set and the story. I wish you luck in your upgrades!
That is what I was thinking so I just copied it from RickieB. Simply Outstanding!! Congratulations on a fine accomplishment!! :high5: :high5: My Franklin set is in a Whitman folder and all the coins are from circulation & bulk silver purchases. I don't think there are many FBLs in my set. Very best regards, collect89
A really great accomplishment -- being able to complete the set after a lot of patience and looking and selecting and patience and looking and selecting is a pretty nice example of what collecting is all about.