My Grandfather (now passed) always referenced the 'good ole days' (speaking of the 1950s era). I remember countless stories he shared with me as a child referencing: barber shops, dancing by the jukebox, late Friday night downtown shopping, local diners, and men wearing their fedoras. The 50s were undoubtedly a simpler time, and I decided to scratch my nostalgic itch by beginning my first graded set of Franklin halves. I think they will fit the bill! My first is a 1956 PF 66 Type 2 graded by PCGS. I will likely stay with proofs until the set is completed before moving to business strikes I'd also like to keep them all graded by PCGS (I know… but the coin not the slab), but I prefer a uniform 'slab' appearance as well. This is my favorite purchased coin to date!
I applaud that piece and your collecting endeavor, Logan. Best of luck with fulfilling it. I too prefer PCGS slabs when it comes to my endeavor....... commems........ Uniformity......they stack better......they look better. Just a personal preference.
Hi Chris, Thanks! Yes… I would like to keep the proofs at PF 65 or above (with some cameos!) except for possibly the 50/51.
I don't understand why that coin would not grade as a cameo. Is it because the reverse it not cameo? Or just that the photos are misleading?
Welcome to CT Logan! What a wonderful piece to choose to start. I love Franklins but I started with business strikes. Almost complete, only 6 left. All PCGS MS-64 FBL's. I'm with Green18, Uniformity, Appearance, Stacking, etc. You just can't beat a pretty set of anything when it's all the same.
The reverse does not appear to have much of any cameo. The obverse appears to be quite nicely contrasted. This isn't unusual, but both sides must have a minimum amount of contrast to get the CAM designation. A coin like this, with strong frost on one side but not the other, will usually trade at a premium over a fully brilliant proof (and would be a lock for the Star at NGC). Very pretty coin, by the way.
Hmm... thank you for sharing this. The obv. does have a nice contrast, but you are correct in assuming the reverse bell does not have a "frosty" appearance on the reverse. So these would trade at a premium?
