Hi all, I bought this coin as-is for $32 on eBay. I realized who it was graded by (NTC) and thought it would be at least a PR67. Now that I'm looking at it, there are quite a few hairlines on the obverse. I know proofs are difficult, but what do you all think this coin would grade according to PCGS/NGC standards? Thanks!
Absolutely no way of telling from the pictures. If you're seeing a lot of hairlines, then no better than PR64.
Proofs are much tougher to grade from photos than business strikes. However, I would say that the grade is almost certainly not PF 69. It might very well be a PF 67 and there does appear to be some cameo contrast on the obverse. It's a nice Franklin and you didn't overpay by too much. Note that the 1963 is the most common Franklin and that any grade between PF 63 and PF 68 does not have too much of a spread (the range is from $10-$65). If you watch ebay auctions, you can find these in NGC or PCGS holders for slightly more than you paid for the NTC. For instance, here is an NGC PF 68 that sold for $36: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-FRANKLIN-HALF-DOLLAR-PROOF-PF-68-NGC-SCARCE-WHITE-NO-RESERVE-FREE-SHIP-/252711966263?hash=item3ad6ce9637:g:gIYAAOSw2xRYbw3O&nma=true&si=lnXKdfDdbo7u%2BZcucxGpTec2XHA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Also, I'm someone that likes collecting the non-top 4 holders. Some companies have nice coins in their holders. However, NTC is one of the companies that I have seen consistently over-grade. I still own one NTC coin and wouldn't say to completely ignore their coins, but it is wise to look over them more carefully and price them as raw coins.
Not according to PCGS, but NGC has quite a few. (I had to toggle "MS/PF" at the top-right corner if the link above doesn't work correctly...)
