The Poe Collection
1949


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Origin/Country:
Design Description:
Item Description:
Grade: NGC MS 65 FBL
Owner: physics-fan3.14
 
Winning Set: The Poe Collection
Date Added: 9/14/2008
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Most 1949P Franklins are well struck, fairly lustrous, and mint set toned. Indeed, almost all the gems from this date come from mint sets – those that were not in mint sets were generally mistreated. Mint set toning generally has a speckled or mottled look, with gold, brown, grey, and dark violet being the prevailing colors. Occasionally, superb color coins or brilliant coins come along, but they are rare. The 1949P generally comes rather well struck with all the details still present: the three wisps of hair, Pass and Stow, the eagle’s feathers, and the bell lines. The master had not yet begun to noticeably deteriorate. Luster is also usually pretty good. While not the booming luster of the 1950P, Chiong describes it as “rich and deep”, it is often somewhat dimmed by the mint set toning. This date was not saved in the massive quantities of the 1948, so despite the fairly normal mintage for the date, gems are somewhat harder to locate.<br /><br />I think the history of a series and how it came about is interesting, so I am working on getting this up. I’ll put it here when I’m done, but for right now you’ll just have to wait!<br /><br />My 1949 is typical of the issue. It is an MS-65FBL, so of course one expects it to have mint set toning and a good strike. The toning is not too dark, as it sometimes can be on mint set toned coins. It is mostly a light golden brown, with speckled violet on the obverse. The luster is good; it is not dripping, but I can see why Chiong would describe it as rich. It is almost velvety, and it complements the mint set toning rather well. There are a few small marks hidden in Franklin’s hair, but overall it is a solid MS-65. I got this gem from coinman1794, aka Douglas, on the NGC boards in September, 2008, for $165. <br /><br />Notable events in 1949:<br />The first Volkswagen Beetle arrives in the US. <br />The Commies take over China. <br />The first non-stop around the world flight is made by a B-50 Superfortress. <br />NATO is created. <br />George Orwell’s “1984” is published. <br />Beginning of Apartheid in South Africa. <br />First commercial jet airliner flew, the de Havilland Comet.<br />The Soviet Union tests their first atomic bomb.

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