Owner Comments:
I first started pursuing the Franklin half in 2001, after the purchase of my first one in high school (described in the introduction). This set started to coalesce during my freshman year of college, in 2003. At the time, all I could afford were MS-64 FBLs, and only the cheapest ones at that. I graduated college in 2007 (with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida), and got a job working as a field engineer on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico with Baker Hughes Inteq. I was laid off in the Great Recession, but was lucky enough to find new employment with the Navy, teaching nuclear physics and reactor operations at the Navy’s nuclear submarine school. Needless to say, my budget is considerably greater now, so I can afford the MS-65 FBLs (and the increasing number of 66’s!) that you see littering my collection. Now that my collection is complete, I am working on upgrading everything, especially the remaining 64FBL’s you see.
When I started this set, I quickly realized that I wanted to get Full Bell Line Franklins, abbreviated as FBL among collectors. These coins are the pinnacle of the Franklin half, showing the very best strike. I thought that the first couple of Franklins I bought looked good, but after I bought my first NGC certified FBL, I discovered what the Franklin was supposed to look like. As I’ve grown as a collector, I’ve noticed myself becoming more and more attracted by coins with the absolute strongest strike, and not just the Franklin half. These coins are much harder to find, but that only makes them even more special.
The final coin in the set arrived in the mail this morning (Christmas Eve, 2009), so I spent much of my day just looking back over the entire collection. I remember purchasing each and every coin, I remember the shows, the adventures, learning about them. I remember many of the articles that I wrote about each of the pieces (of which most are in my Registry set, albeit cut down due to space limitations). I remember many of the pieces these coins upgraded, I remember what circumstances in life I was going through when I bought them. This collection started while I was in college, has been with me through 6 moves, 3 states, 2 jobs, and a host of other ups and downs in life. Looking back, I can remember the comfort and solace they provided me, and the occasions that some of them celebrate. It has been a joy and a privilege to assemble this set and share it with everyone who has seen it – at the current moment this set has 4188 views and is the #1 most viewed Franklin Half Dollar set on this Registry (and 12th most viewed set on the entire Registry!)
A strong strike is important, although great eye appeal is necessary as well. Strike is the theme of this set – I seem to repeat the mantra of strike over and over again. But, as I have grown as a collector I have started to realize the difference between good eye appeal and merely a mediocre coin.
The 1961 Franklin is almost universally regarded as the second hardest Franklin to find in fully struck, gem condition, behind only the 1953S. The luster on the 1961 is generally below average, bagmarks are extremely severe, and the strike is abysmal – the worst of the 60’s era soft Franklins. Even on the best struck coins of this era the bell lines are weak, mushy, and indistinct. The only issue which can compare to the 1961 is the 1962. Water spots are also an issue for the 1961, along with haziness. Toned coins are very scarce, most gems are brilliant. The scarcity of problem free gems is incredible – especially when you realize that 64FBLs can be had for $100. This price is inexplicably low in light of their rarity, although in 65FBL the price jumps to very high levels.
Because of the rarity of this issue, it took me a long time to finally locate an NGC MS-64FBL 1961. It took me even longer to find the 65FBL that upgraded it. I literally stumbled upon this coin while searching Ebay one day – it had been posted for sale approximately a half hour when I bought it - and I was pleased with the exceptional coin I received. The fields are pristine, and just a couple of light tickmarks are all that hold this coin back. The luster on my coin is what really sets this one apart, however - strong and flashy, despite the lackluster reputation of this date. This strike is one of the strongest strikes I’ve seen on a 61 in any grade, even though that’s not saying much. The bell lines are complete although it’s a borderline FBL, with noticeable weakness to the left of the bell. I am very pleased with this coin, which I got on Ebay for just above $800.