I know its hard without pictures, but I have two 1961 mint sets , both from the philadelphia mint, One of the franklin halves looks like a very good strike and I think it has full bell lines, numismedia shows $20 in ms-64 ,$102 in ms-65 and$ 630 in ms-67..so any franklin half collectors have any good pics I can compare.....I am thinking about sending it to tpg, but would like to get some input about the grading standards on franklins and the bell lines..since these seem to be a weak strike area can a coin without fbl even receive a grade as high as ms-65 any input is appreciated.
Sure...the Rick Tomaska book on Franklin Halves lists NGC and PCGS population reports. The highest grades always have examples without FBLs. I recently sent three (3) Franklins into NGC for grading. My pre-grading estimates (as compared to other, graded coins) were one grade too high on 2 out of 3 of them. If nothing else, it's a good learning exercise.
If you would visit the Heritage site you would find tons of pics in all the various grades so that YOU can compare your coin to theirs. You will learn far more from doing that than you ever will by asking for pics here. Of course if you could manage pics of your coin to post here, that too would be helpful.
If you could post pics of the coin, that would help.... but odds are STRONGLY against you on this one. 1961 is a very, very hard date. MS-65's are scarce, and I can almost guarantee that you don't have anything higher than that. FBL's are even scarcer - as in almost impossible. 1961 and 1962 are two of the hardest dates to find FBL in the entire series (ranking only behind 1952S and 1953S). Pictured below is my NGC MS-64FBL. Note that this is one of the best struck 1961's I have ever seen, with unusually full and bold bell lines. Most don't come any where near this level:
Different year but PCGS gave this one a MS64. Inferior to his, shows ngc vs. pcgs. There is no way that these coins are the same except for FBL. Mine was overgraded
Are you positive you have mint sets, and not proof sets? I suspect this because you said they are Philadelphia only (which the proof set would be), plus this would result in a very nice looking Franklin half.
hi..I have been looking on heritage quite a bit since you first mentioned it to me...it has been helpful...thanks....and hopefully I will have a camera that I can take some decent pictures with very soon.
thanks that is a very nice coin.. and good advice. one of my sets is nowhere near the quality of strike of this coin, but the one that I was considering seems pretty close, I may send it...I will be checking on here and heritage ....much appreciated. I will try to get a picture asap so I can get some opinions...
you know now I feel like an idiot...I checked and inside one of the sets there is a card that says it is a proof set:goofer: I guess the yellow envelope and cellophane mixed me up..thanks..
ah yes the lesson I learn at the cost of myego...:goofer: I have quite a few proof sets...mostly moderns, but on the earlier ones I have they are 1951' 58' 63' 64'put together sets? in the screw together plastic holders and 69 and 1970 are both in blue packages...all but the moderns were inherited from my dad or gifts....yet another area I need to study....my library is getting larger...and my eyes are strained from staring at the monitor on my computer, but I do love this hobby and appreciate all the help for the novice...
Don't be embarrassed. Many people confuse proof and mint sets, and that's one of the reasons I asked. Keep asking questions, and keep learning. Now that we know you have 1961 proof sets, here's another little tip for you: That year, there is a valuable variety of the 1961 Franklin half. Look at the reverse of the coin at the letters "E PLURIBUS UNUM." There is a scarce variety where there is strong doubling of those letters. You'll need some magnification to see it, but if it's there, you'll know right away, as the doubling is very strong. Good luck!
thanks again...and no such luck on the doubling...I was looking on heritage to get an idea of cameo/ deep cameo and came an auction for one that had the variety you are talking about.....right now my digital camera won't take any decent pictures of coins, but soon will be getting a new one ...hopefully I can post pics and get opinions on whether or not the coins in this set are pr-65 or better...in my opion quite possibly..if so it seems it would make sense to split the set since the set is only $20 on numismedia..
