Moondoggys Franklin Proofs Set 1
1951


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Origin/Country: United States
Design Description: HALF DOLLARS - FRANKLIN, PROOF
Item Description: 50C 1951
Grade: NGC PF 68
Owner: moondoggy
 
Winning Set: Moondoggys Franklin Proofs Set 1
Date Added: 8/9/2011
Research: See NGC's Census Report for this Coin

Owner's Description

1951 saw a small increase in the amount of proofs minted with 57,500. Again most 1951 proofs had the same problems as its predecessor the 1950. Hairlines again plagued this coin. The cellophane packaging that the coins were put in was also really quite abrasive. On a positive note the glue stains that affected the 1950 proof did not affect the 1951 and newer proofs. 1951 saw the start of repolishing used dies. Cameo’s most certainly came from these repolished dies. Since the mint changed only one die at a time (either obverse or reverse) no two repolished die varieties look alike. Given the crude nature by the mint in their repolishing procedures, finding a cameo or even ultra cameo is very rare indeed. From 1951 - 1955 the U.S.Mint's first step in repolishing would be to wire brush the recessed portions of the die (devices) with a diamond dust compound. This was to remove any nicks or scrapes or any other signs of die wear. This "roughness" when transferred to the silver planchet during striking would give the devices of the planchet a whitish cast by diffusing the reflectivity of the silver. After the devices of the die were wire brushed, the fields would be repolished and rebuffed, also with a diamond dust compound to restore their mirror finish. As you can imagine, it was trial and error to say the least. You can see the wire brushing effects on some Franklins during this period as the brush strokes show up as parallel lines on the fields. Not particularly eye appealing, better days lay ahead though as the repolishing skill was learned. Using finer brushes was a good place to start... I was fortunate to find a Top-Pop for this year in the Proof tier.

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