Franklin Mint Superiority - See For Yourself

As a longtime collector of Franklin Mint coins, and especially currency strikes for circulation, I’ve gotten tired of all the negativity that still seems to exist.

The fact is that they displayed consistently coins that were above and beyond those of prominent world mints of the time, and even of today in many respects.

Here is one example, the Bahamas 50c marlin coin, one of the FM and the other from the Royal Mint. Note that the RM coin is struck in silver alloy much softer than the FM coin in copper nickel, so giving advantage in strike to the RM coin:


Then there is the example of the Guyana $10 coin of 1976-1980, this uncirculated only and NOT proof - the depth of expression not captured in this photo:
Another example is the facing profile on the 1975-1982 Panama 5 Balboas (Belisario Porras). I have not seen facing profiles, especially with glasses done better - don’t have a picture at the moment, will add an unc and proof shortly

 

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I let the negativity roll over me. I love the engraving skills on all my FM coins, quality of strike and with the proofs in .925 silver, there is a depth you can almost fall into.

 

I don't know if they are superior to the major mints of the world, but they definitely have designs and execution. They are up there in terms of quality. Part of being a mint for Sovereign nation's coinage is record keeping and accountability and I think that is where they have fallen short. That said I really like the 1973 Jamaica proof set. The big coin. Is something like 1.2 oz of silver.

 

The thing is they really were in terms of the quality and execution of engraving, strike and end product. I would challenge presentations such as that of Porras or Cuffy above from any world mint of similar vintage.

 

Another good comparison is a 1969 Bahamas or Jamaica proof set (minted by the British Royal Mint) vs a 1970 from either country (minted by the Franklin Mint).

 

Yes. Interestingly, the RM actually used FM dies to strike some of the Caynan Islands proof set coins in 1986 and 1987.

 

Don't let it bother you. People are going to hate just so they have something to talk about. Everyone's collection and interests are different. I just collect what I like and move on.

I have a number of Franklin Mint sets but only the ones I like.





Tunisia 1969

 

I forgot I had the uncirculated version of the 1973 Dollar. Mintage of 10,000. I had to soak in acetone to get the haze off. Still needs another soak for the coat of arms side. No marks. This would be a ms 68 or 69. KM says$2.50 US for MS65 which is as high a grade they list a price for. I actually like this over the proof version.

 

Yes, very much so and why some sources including NGC will occasionally list these as matte proof. There seem to be at least two types of Finnish on the mattes - those from sets or individually packaged and then those that actually were intended for circulation which they released in the years up through 1977 (and the oddball Liberia 1984 1c, 5c, and 10c coins). These finishes appear somewhat lesser, and the same is true for the later (U) prooflike uncirculated issues in sets versus those struck for actual circulation.

 

Here is one of the native Panamanian designs on a mere uncirculated (U) coin, and love the design but really there are so many :

 

I think there are several problems with Franklin Mint coins (and trying to collect them). Yes, I agree that usually the workmanship is quite high, and they are generally well made coins. However, here are the problems I see (and, I know that you are trying to combat this, but we aren't there yet):

1. Records are slim. These are a product made by a business, not an official government agency. Finding documentation to produce quality research is going to be difficult.
2. They made an awful lot of different coins, for different countries.
3. They had a wide range of finishes, and many of them look to have similar appearances if you don't specialize in them.
4. Many of the limited production issues are very hard to find, if you're trying to collect that stuff. Many of them weren't saved, and because demand is comparatively low, many dealers don't stock this sort of material. Good luck figuring out what a complete set even is - not to mention completing it!
5. There's generally a low level of knowledge from collectors of world coinage, and a bit of apathy. Modern coins in general get this - but I feel like even fewer people really care about FM coins.

Now, I really admire the passion that you bring to this niche. There are a couple of others who have spent time and money pursuing these (gmarguli comes to mind).

You know what would help drive interest in the series? A well researched, well produced book dedicated to the topic. Sure, Krause has a bunch of these, but I feel like the FM coins in Krause are more error-prone than a lot of the other series.

 

Yes, you are quite correct in these points. I am not a dealer so in a way rather like these coins being somewhat quiet - they are affordable, legal tender issues (generally) with many times beautiful designs and some so very scarce that they are only rumored to exist until actually found or published and relatively reasonably priced, even if some are now becoming prohibitive.
Another problem is that in regards to most countries they struck coins for, there is scant interest in these or any other coins. Try and find a numismatic society or club even in Jamaica! And if there might be they are at times reluctant to publish their locations or contacts.

Another issue is that as far as I know there are no records available across the boards for coins struck after 1980, especially for circulation. This is not to mention what actually happened to coins such as these when they reached the countries for which they were intended. This deepens the mysteries.

But I will also say this: by way of example, the Royal Mint has also struck contract coinages for client countries and make/made proof sets and coins for circulation. As you may know, and as I have found out, the statistics are scant from them - and they are NOT inclined to respond to requests. As an example, the RM took up the contract from the FM for many coins with Jamaica being one example:

So beginning in 1985, and through 2002 (except no sets for 1986) the RM struck proof sets and stated mintage limits of 500 for all sets of 1987-2002. It has not been possible for me to get actual numbers struck, numbers released to commercial channels, number sent to "host" country, number returned, or better yet the net number of sets reaching collectors. Anecdotal evidence is that some years the full numbers were struck and for others but a mere fraction.
By not possible, I mean they do not respond to letters, emails, or Facebook requests.
But your point, Sir, is well taken. I may see if the current proprietors of the "Franklin Mint" may help out at all. I am not all that far away from Pennsylvania, so even though I am a working stiff could possibly find my way up there if it required such.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble but am more than glad to respond to questions or ideas, and thanks for your input!!

 

PS - Razz, I can tell you that one nice method I have finally figure out of restoring copper nickel coin surfaces is soak and/or tamping with dye free ammonia and then LIBERAL rinsing and tamp dry with the proverbial white cotton towel. PM me or post any questions.
I will say it works for me, but if you like try and experiment with low value coins until you get a comfort level. Quite cheap and works better in many instances that acetone.

I also like a nice unmarked matte coin over the proofs in many cases - see for example the Five Balboa coin with Porras on the obverse above. See the treatment of the glasses in the frontal view. IMHO this has not even been surpassed over 40 years later by any mint.

 

These coins were all authorized and commissioned by the individual states. They are almost invariably legal tender coins and many (especially high denomination gold) have been hauled off to the country's central banks and redeemed for cash.

Many others have actually circulated.

I don't see this as any sort of problem. People can collect or not collect just like any other coins.

I agree this is annoying though it is a rare coin that you aren't sure. Well fewer than 1% of FM products are difficult to identify.

Actually the demand is so low even the rarest item can be found. Many very high quality, beautifully executed, and historic coin with mintages in the dozens or hundreds can be found for prices based on spot or little more.

People don't care about moderns but the simple fact is that a new generation of collectors is emerging and it's likely they'll think 50 or 75 year old rare coins are plenty old enough.


Frankly I think all these coins really need to get attention is higher prices and this has been happening for years now. I believe it will accelerate and then begin feeding on itself.

 

I used an acetone soak and cotton swabs to tamp down, not rub or roll across the face. Just press down and lift and rotate the swab and move to a slightly adjacent surface and repeat. I used several fir each side of the dollar. Came out spectacular, I think. Before and after on the coat of arms.

 

Really great matte surfaces that shimmer!

 

Franklin Mint coins can be numbered among the many coins and types to which coin collectors have a knee jerk bad reaction. It was caused largely by the sky high prices that were charged at the time of issuance and that so many coin collectors were priced out by them. I liked them all but never bought any but over the years the coins have actually acquired a discount to spot, face value, and sanity. There was a time that many of the Caribbean gold coins had a face value of $75 a gold value of $35 and could be purchased for $30. You could buy the coins and melt them for a profit or spend them for a much larger profit. Today people assume all these coins with mintages in the 15,000 range are "common junk" but the fact remains they were designed by the best artists, executed by one of the best mints, and no expense spared at any stage of distribution. The coins are what they are whether people like them or not and the attrition on some of them is far higher than most imagine.

Historically it is quality that most determines eventual demand but these are treated like red headed step children. It will not continue like this. The same mintages of "15,000" now that seems so sky high will someday seem miniscule even before the attrition is factored in.

 

Indeed, and these are the general case. However, many coin that I have reported on have MUCH more limited initial mintage with minuscule survival - absolutely incredible.

 

I find very little negativity around the FM coins... there used to be a bit of negativity around them in general due to the old TV "coins" and other silver rounds.

I LOVE THEM ALL!

Also, Numista is a great reference for their actual coins https://en.numista.com/catalogue/index.php?r=franklin mint&ct=coin

I've posted about them fairly often and post some of mine at every opportunity and I've been including their foreign coins in my collection for a very long time. Their "Island coins" are incredible, I agree.
Many of their silver art rounds are truly beautiful as well.