Post why you like to collect Franklin Halfs

I'm finishing up a Peace Dollar book right now and have received advice that I should start a Franklin book next. Tell me why you like them and if you have any other suggestions for my next book. I'm only 15 and I do not have a steady income yet so I can't start a seated liberty set or anything like that. Something affordable. Thanks!


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I like Franklins because I like collecting varieties. The Franklin series has high enough mintages that there is no real stopper, but die life was short enough to allow for lots of varieties including the major ones (Type 1 and Type 2 reverses), intermediate (strong doubled dies and repunched mintmarks) and less obvious one (early 50's Type 1a and Type 1b reverses). Cherry-picking is pretty fruitful with many being available for basically melt or a little over melt if you want uncirculated coins.

 

When I was a kid I loved the size and the fact that they would put a bald guy on the coin. As an adult I found finding MS coins to be beautiful and the blast white versions were drool worthy. Plus, with the MS coins you could gain a great appreciation of the artistic details of the coin including full bell lines, eagle feathers and wouldn't you know it, Franklin had hair! I didn't bother with the proofs so I am not sure how easy (or affordable) they would be to obtain, but I gathered a MS 63-64 set fairly easily, and as mentioned above I am sure there is enough diversity to keep you interested.

Now, if you want to talk about putting together a Mercury Dime set just let me know

 

When I was 15 I didn't know what the concept of income was. Franklins are silver so they'll likely be more of a stress on your bank account than say a Jefferson collection.

 

That's what I was thinking ( MS63-64 ) not too expensive but great looking coins! And about the dimes, maybe I'll think about it but for now I'll go one by one. Thanks


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Were you considering proofs as well? (Just curious.)

 

I think Franklin Halves are a great set. When you don't include the proof coins...the set is quite affordable even in MS. They are all 90% silver, so that's always good. Yes the design is a little "ugly" but for some reason I have always personally liked it. I think it is a great set, especially for someone who is young.

Another awesome set for someone on a budget is a Eisenhower Set. I love this set for several reasons. First, it is our last circulating large dollar coin. The set also has a very interesting story because it is the only large clad dollar we ever minted and with that came a ton of production issues. The set (with proofs) includes also includes business strike clads, lad proofs, business strike 40% silver coins and 40% silver proofs...so a lot of variety. It also has a bunch of varieties if you really want to get into that. I have been considering doing a Ike set with a "custom" Dansco album (buy a Dansco album and put in blank labeled pages so I can add a few varieties).

 

Silver is more expensive but I like the idea of investing for the long term. We could talk all day about the price of silver going up or down but for a 15 year old, I think it's a wise investment. Thanks


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I was collecting when I was your age and I really enjoyed it. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would be more focused with my collection at a young age. I would pick a series and decide what I could afford to do with it and go for it.

Even at 15...you probably have some sense of what your income will be in the foreseeable future. First, decide how much of that you want to spend on coins. Then, pick a series you like. Then go for it. I wouldn't worry too much about it being an "investment." Collect what you enjoy. I have found that even if you have a lot of money to spend on coins...they are a bad investment. Collect what you like because you like them. If you like an all-clad series...then collect that.

 

Possibly, it just depends on how much I am willing to spend at the time.


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Thank you, your advise is very useful I appreciate it.


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what about Morgans? Do you have a set? By the way, both Morgan and Peace dollar varieties are listed on vamworld.com maybe that could be interesting for you?

 

No problem...if you are totally set on doing a silver set, then I think the Franklin Half is the most affordable. However, I would seriously consider doing a Eisenhower Dollar set with proofs (Dansco makes a great album). It's a great set.

 

An option with Morgans would be a date set. I know Dansco made a date album at one time.

 

Franklins are great. I've been building a couple sets now, not a full set of proofs yet but working on it. An uncirculated set is not to hard to find, and oh they tone so well. There are some great Franklin toners out there. They're silver and have a great feel in your hand...

 

I thought about Morgans but there is so many of them and lots of key dates. I have a few but starting a set now is out of my budget. Thanks


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What about a year set? They do make albums for that. A few years are still hard...but it's a lot easier.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Morgan-...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3b4ac9df

 

I'll consider it but for right now I will stick to my Peace dollars and Franklins. Thanks for all of y'all's help I'm new to this forum and it is very helpful! I appreciate it!


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You have an entire lifetime to collect coins...at 15, Peace Dollars and Franklin Halves are plenty. If those are the coins you like...then go for it!

 

Thanks, I have a couple of other albums I'm working on but they are not my main focus and I'm working on accumulating silver bullion and a type set. I set goals such as in one year I want to have all the peace dollars except 1928 and be 1/3 done with the franklin and have a pound of silver. I think that in one year, that will keep me busy. I really appreciate your advise and will think about what you told me.
Thanks


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