1953 franklin half

I picked this one up and I've been hooked since!!! How would you grade it, as I am absolutely new to all of this, from the coin, to the pic taking. The pics did not come out good, But you can see the bell lines without any magnification and the detail is good for a 1953 S. I bought the red book, but I don't know if it is has been cleaned, it does have one good scratch on the back. Let me know what you think!!! As I learn more about all this, I hope to sound more educated lol!!! Thanks for the replies!!


BD

 

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Picture isn't good enough to tell high AU from MS, in my opinion.

 

Based on the pics, the coin appears to lack luster. So, I agree with GD...that it appears to be an over dipped coin. Although, it could be the pics.

 

Thanks for the welcome. What do you mean by dipped??? As for the ear, I think it is the pic, if I put it under light and about 4X mag. it looks normal. Thanks for the reply!

 

People dip coins to remove toning. Most older silver coins have been dipped if they are blast white. Typically, acetone is used. Generally, if it is done correctly (by someone with experience) it is OK to dip a coin and it improves the appearance. But if a coin is dipped too much, or for too long, or isn't rinsed thoroughly...the dipping will strip the coin of it's luster. If you have a higher grade coin that should have luster and it is dull looking...odds are it has been over dipped. The coin pictured appears to be lacking luster and based on the condition it should have it. It might be the pics, or it might be the coin. Hard to tell in this case.

 

Could you possibly post a pic with "luster". The good news is I paid face value for it, so no matter what, I'm not out any money lol. This sure has been fun though.Thanks again!


BD

 

You mean melt silver or actually 50 cents?

 

Luster is simply the shine of the coin. A new coin, fresh from the mint will be shinny, it has a lot of luster. The Franklin in your pic looks to be more of a flat or dull gray...it seems to lack that shine. Again, it could be the lighting in the pic that makes it look like that. When you look at the coin in person, is it shiny like a new coin or is it dull?

Here is a photo I took from a dollar in my collection. The photo isn't great, but you can see the coin has a lot of luster to it:



Here is a Franklin on eBay with a lot of luster as well (and a bad scratch on the reverse): http://cgi.ebay.com/1961-D-Franklin...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

 

When you hold the coin and move it in relation to the light source you should see a line that cuts the coin in half and that line should rotate around the coin. That is called cartwheel luster. This is what comes from the mint. This is also called mint state, MS for short.

If the whole coin flashes when the light hits it then it does not have original luster. It could have been dipped in acetone or it could have been polished with either a silver polish or and actual mechanical polishing.(whizzing)

While some polished coins can be quite beautiful they lose all collector value. I can't tell if you coin has cartwheel luster but if you got it for 0.50 then you got a nice coin at a super price. The silver value for that coin is $5.53. Good Deal.:high5:

 

I'm as lost as hogans goat lol.

 

I think it has cartwheel luster, as when I turn it in the light it definitely rotates a light beam. Either way, rather it be dipped or not, I definitely like it for a .50 purchase!!! Thanks for the input, I look forward to learning a lot from here.


BD

 

Besides aceatone , coins are dipped in solutions with a commercial aqueous thiourea dip containing dilute sulfuric acid , leaving the coin in this kind of cleaner for more than 3 seconds can remove any surface luster , and should only be done by someone who knows what they are doing , even then many coins are made worse than are made better .
rzage:smile

 

For a face-value purchase you did well! regarldess if its dipped or not.

As others have mentioned, its made of 90% silver, and so it has a value of $5.50

 

Acetone is used to remove dirt, and residue. Most dealers use plain old jewelluster.

 

Welcome aboard man:smile

I grade it, AU-55 dipped


stainless