The Poe Collection
1951


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Origin/Country: United States
Design Description: HALF DOLLARS - FRANKLIN
Item Description: 50C 1951
Grade: NGC MS 64 FBL
Owner: physics-fan3.14
 
Winning Set: The Poe Collection
Date Added: 10/4/2008
Research: See NGC's Census Report for this Coin

Owner's Description

The 1951P is the first Franklin with what could be generously called a “large” mintage. There were a bit over 16 million coins struck, and what this means is that dies were often used longer than they should have. Because of this, there are a lot of Franklins of this issue that lack much of the finer detail – the die deteriorated to the point where the bell lines had been worn off. Earlier strikes have pretty good bell lines, but even the very finest strikes of 1951 begin to show the deterioration of the master. The most noticeable places to look for this are in the fine detail in Franklin’s hair, and the eagle’s feathers. The first 1948 coins show considerable detail in the hair, but as time progressed the hair detail gradually gets softer and softer. Another side effect of the prolonged use of dies this year is that luster is highly variable. Some coins have rather good luster, and some coins are dull and lifeless. Most tend to have acceptable luster, though. Toning does not seem to be remarkable on most 1951P’s. Mint set toning prevails, and Tomaska says the MS-64FBL in brilliant condition is “especially elusive.” Bagmarks also tend to be average for the date. <br /><br />Chiong notes that this is the first date known with the famous “Bugs Bunny” die clash, which is far more famous on the 1955 due to B. Max Mehl’s promotion of it. See my entry for 1955 for more information. <br /><br />My coin is one of those “elusive” MS-64FBLs in brilliant condition. It has great luster, but a bit weaker strike than I would have liked to get for this date. The bell lines are strong, and the three wisps of hair clear, but the hair details are rather weak. Tomaska says that the high points often display light pitting on the 1951, and this is true for my coin. It is rather light though, so it doesn’t bother me too much, especially on a 64. What does bother me is that this coin is crooked in the slab. I tried banging the slab on the edge of my desk to try and straighten the coin, hoping that it might be a little loose, but it didn’t work. Sometimes banging the slab will adjust the coin a bit, if it’s crooked. Be careful when doing this, however, as you don’t want to crack the slab (or damage your desk!) <br /><br />Rather prominently located in the lower left quadrant on the reverse is an ugly fingerprint. There seem to be various opinions of fingerprints among collectors. Of course, coins are going to pick up fingerprints – except for the most careful handling by the edges or using gloves, fingerprints will happen. On old or classic coins, fingerprints are a bit more common because collectors did not take the care that they do today. As such, I think fingerprints are more acceptable on these classic coins. On certain toned coins, fingerprints can be somewhat interesting as well. They can add a certain amount of character. For example, my 1949 mint set toned Franklin has a small bit of a fingerprint on the obverse, and it doesn’t detract from the coin. However, on a relatively modern coin like this 1951, and especially on a brilliant coin, a fingerprint is rather distracting to me. A large fingerprint will automatically limit a coin to MS-64 in my book. Small bits of fingerprints are acceptable on an MS-65 if it doesn’t detract from the eye appeal at all, but no MS-66 should ever display any bit of fingerprint at all. <br /><br />I got this coin in October of 2008, from Ebay, for $125. I overpaid for it a bit, but since 1951P is a bit harder to find I figured its okay. I usually don’t get auction fever, but this time it bit me. I had been watching the coin for several days on Ebay; it opened bidding at $9.95. The day before it closed, several people had put holding bids on it so that it was up to $60. In the last half hour, 4 or 5 new bidders entered the scene, and that last minute was harrowing! Everyone kept outbidding me, so I had to keep upping my max bid, finally driving it all the way up to $125. I don’t know about you, but an auction is a real adrenaline rush for me. Its almost more exciting buying the coin than it is actually getting the thing. Who needs drugs when you’ve got Ebay? What can I say; I’m a real coin junkie. <br /><br />Notable events in 1951:<br />UN headquarters opens in New York City. <br />The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is passed. <br />The Korean War begins. <br />The first UNIVAC is built and delivered to the US Census bureau.

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