Hypothetically speaking if price wasn't an issue would you prefer a DCAM Franklin, or one with wild natural toning? How about in other series? I can't believe I am saying this, but Franklins are sneaking in on my favorite coin radar.
Not much a fan of the mullet, but I gotta say that PR66 DCAM looks undergraded, and I love the toning, but I gotta go with the DCAM. Not the biggest fan of toning.
I personally prefer DCAM...but I think this is one of the things where beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I prefer a DCAM over a toned proof, but there are some toned proof Seated, Trade, Barber coins that are gorgeous. It's all about eye appeal.
I'll officially put it out there Caz. Mullet or no Mullet, Franklins are my favorite series. I find a wide variety of characteristics within the coin. Sort of like a VF-XF Bust Half. They all tell a different story. I also like them because I can get an outstanding high PR/MS example without breaking the bank. If anyone is looking to part with a knock your socks off Franklin shoot me a PM. =]
I totally have to agree with the bank busters, the franklin is not one. I don't admire the design the most, but I do like them and am still looking for "The One" that goes in my collection.
The other day a gentleman (same seller) had an even better DCAM Frank up (PR-67). It was on the Bay for about 15 minutes before a hawk swooped in and snatched it. I refresh fairly often under buy now (new listings). I was about to make the buy for 185, but submitted an offer of 165 just for the sake that he had a "make offer" up. He knew better than to even acknowledge the low ball. It was gone 5 minutes later. After that I said "Sir the next time you have a DCAM of that quality just shoot me a message and I'll pay full price.
well for this example i would go for the deep cameo coin, but it looks undergraded to me too. it also depends on the toning to me.
I like 'em both. But as to whether I like toning or DCAM better, that depends on the toning And Jason, you may have seen this already, it's listed in the Numismatic Resources section, but given your interest in Frankies - http://wnccoins.com/0014.htm Frank was always one of the most knowledgeable collectors I knew of when it came to Frankies. His name on the forums was Aethelred. I haven't seen or talked to him in years though, not sure he's even still around. Another was Lucy, never met anybody who knew Frankies better than Lucy ! That girl could give Tomaska help ! Ashamed to admit I can't remember her user name - brain cramp I guess. Maybe one of the old timers around here will see this and they can remember. Haven't seen or talked to her in years either. Lordy where have the years gone. Anyway, use the link if you haven't already. And if you can track down either of those two - you'd be hard pressed to do better to find somebody to teach you everything there is to know about Frankies
Generally speaking, there is no way to grade proof coins with any meaningful degree of accuracy, based on images. That is because the extent of fine hairlines frequently affects the grade, and that is rarely apparent in images.
No, Lucy was on the PCGS and NGC forums for the most part, but she was a member here too. If you do a search deep enough about Frankies you'll find some of her posts. I don't even know if she is on PCGS anymore - been too many years. Lucy was a hoot though. She was a race car fanatic, owned quite a few of them, and I mean some hot cars ! Pricey too. She was a wild and crazy woman that one. But nobody knew Frankies better than her. She could recite facts, figures, varieties, pops in all the various grades, prices - everything there was to know about them, and off the top of her head. She never had to look anything up.