| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1964
|
NGC PF 69
|
Proof 69 * Star.
An attractive coin with deep watery mirrors on both sides and frosty devices on the obverse.
I have always been partial to NGC Star designated coins.
***********************************************************************************************
End of an era ! The1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was 90% Silver. The year 1964 marked the end of an era because the Silver content would be reduced to 40% in 1965 and remain that way until 1970. The Kennedy Half dollar of 1971 and following years would contain NO Silver at all, except for special collector issues of select years.
The year 1964 also marked the last year that the proof half dollars would be produced at the Philadelphia Mint , ending a long tradition. The year 1964 would be the last proof half dollar produced, until proof production resumed in San Francisco in 1968. The SMS ( Special Mint Sets ) would be produced in the interim.
I am a huge fan of NGC STAR coins and have attempted to include as many NGC STAR coins as possible in my collection. I believe that a beautiful coin with good eye appeal always trumps an average coin with merely a high numeric grade. A lot of the Star designated coins out there are greatly under- valued in my humble opinion.
It is surprisingly hard to find a 1964 Proof 69 STAR Kennedy Half Dollar at present. They bring a high premium and do not seem to stay on the market very long when one does show up.
Hoo-ray for NGC Star coins .
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1970 D
|
NGC MS 62 DPL
|
2 different coins depicted, in keeping with my goal of depicting a color toned business strike where possible ;
A) coin #1 ( coin on left ) -1970-D (GRADED MS62 DPL BY NGC).
* CRAZY RARE MYSTERY COIN *
** NGC MS62 DPL ; A mystery coin ... **
At first glance this coin appears to be a mis-identified proof coin, with it's DEEP mirrors and highly reflective surfaces. Only when one looks closely and sees the Denver mint mark is it apparent that this is actually a business strike. Extremely rare in DPL, nobody knows how these DPL coins came to be. There are currently only 10 DPL Kennedy Halves graded by NGC from 1964-1970, ALL from 1970. These 10 DPL coins are the characteristically baggy coins from of the Denver Mint and range in grade from MS62-MS64. All 10 of the are thought to have come from the same die pair. It appears that one die pair was polished to an outrageous proof-like glow. It is interesting to note that these 10 specimens received no special handling, but were obviously dumped into bins with other coins, as evidenced by the contact marks.
How and why were these coins created ? Was it due to horseplay ? A bored press operator ? A press operator trying an experiment ? A pair of proof dies intended for the San Francisco Assay office? Perhaps a worn proof die received from the San Francisco Assay office? Were they meant to become presentation pieces ? I Guess we will never know. Pretty fun stuff ! Have fun with your coins.
B)- coin #2 ( coin on right ). In keeping with my goal to assemble some coins that are different from the ordinary & mundane, coin # 2 is a rim toned 1970-D half with colors of blue & violet.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1969 D
|
NGC MS 64 PL
|
A STUDY OF PROOF-LIKE (PL) vs. NORMAL BUSINESS STRIKE COINS.
*******************************************************************************************
THE COIN ON THE LEFT WAS AWARDED A RARE PL DESIGNATION, IT DISPLAYS HIGHLY REFLECTIVE AND MIRRORED SURFACES ON BOTH THE OBVERSE & THE REVERSE OF THE COIN.
A COIN MUST DISPLAY CLEAR REFLECTIVITY AT 2 TO 4 INCHES AWAY FROM THE FIELDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN TO BE AWARDED A PL DESIGNATION. NGC WILL SOMETIMES AWARD A STAR DESIGNATION TO A COIN THAT IS PROOF-LIKE ON ONE SIDE ONLY, USUALLY THE OBVERSE SIDE FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN. PROOF-LIKE (PL) KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND PRIOR TO THE YEAR 1970. THE NGC CENSUS SHOWS JUST A HANDFUL OF PL COINS TO EXIST FOR THE YEARS 1964-1969. IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ASSEMBLE A COMPLETE SET OF 1964-1970 PL COINS, SIMPLY BECAUSE PL COINS DON'T EVEN EXIST FOR SOME OF THE EARLY YEARS IN THE KENNEDY SERIES.
FOR SOME MYSTERIOUS REASON 1970-D KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS SHOW THE GREATEST POPULATION OF PL DESIGNATED COINS OF THE SILVER BUSINESS STRIKES. THESE ARE HIGHLY VALUED & SOUGHT AFTER , AND CANNOT BE CONSIDERED COMMON IN ANY WAY.
SOME COLLECTORS OF THE EARLY KENNEDY SERIES HAVE NOTED THE QUIRKS OF THE INDIVIDUAL MINTS. IN THE CASE OF THE DENVER MINT, THEIR BUSINESS STRIKE HALF DOLLARS SEEM TO BE BAGGY AS A RULE. THOUGH RARE, THE DENVER MINT SEEMED MORE LIKELY THAN ANY OTHER MINT TO PRODUCE A HALF DOLLAR THAT HAD A PROOF-LIKE, REFLECTIVE SURFACE ON A BUSINESS STRIKE COIN.
*********************************************************************************************
COIN #1 ( coin on left )-
** NGC MS64 PL **
A VERY SCARCE PL (PROOF-LIKE) BUSINESS STRIKE. THE NGC CENSUS PRESENTLY SHOWS A TOTAL OF ONLY 30 PL COINS IN ALL GRADES COMBINED FOR 1969. MOST OF THESE ARE SALTED AWAY IN SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES AND WILL NEVER COME TO AUCTION. AT FIRST GLANCE, THE COIN ABOVE RESEMBLES A SPECIAL MINT SET ( SMS ) COIN. BUT THERE WERE NO SMS COINS PRODUCED IN 1969, OF COURSE.
A MYSTERIOUS COIN FOR SURE. PL BUSINESS STRIKES ( NOT SMS ) ARE EXTREMELY SCARCE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE KENNEDY HALF SERIES. THE SPECIAL MINT SET ( SMS ) COINS OF 1965-67 , ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE REGULARLY FOUND IN A PROOF-LIKE FINISH BECAUSE THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE THAT WAY. ONE RARELY SEES A PL BUSINESS STRIKE COIN COME TO AUCTION FROM THE YEARS 1964 TO 1969.
THE BEST CHANCE OF FINDING ANY PROOF-LIKE BUSINESS STRIKE PRIOR TO 1970 MIGHT BE IN FINDING A ONE SIDED PL COIN THAT WAS GIVEN A STAR. NGC HAS GIVEN A STAR FOR A ONE SIDED PL COIN, JUST AS THEY MIGHT AWARD A STAR FOR A ONE SIDED CAMEO. GOOD LUCK EVER SEEING ONE COME UP FOR SALE.
FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, THE YEAR 1970 PRODUCED FAR MORE PL SPECIMENS THAN ALL OF THE EARLIER YEARS COMBINED, AND YET EVEN THESE CAN BE HARD TO COME BY AND ARE HIGHLY VALUED BY COLLECTORS.
HOW AND WHY DID THESE FEW PL BUSINESS STRIKES COME ABOUT? WAS A SINGLE PRESS OPERATOR RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE FEW PL SPECIMENS ? WAS HE BORED ? WAS IT HORSEPLAY ? WAS SOMEONE TRYING TO CREATE SOME PRESENTATION PIECES ? WAS HE EXPERIMENTING ? DID THE DENVER MINT RECEIVE A SET OF HIGHLY POLISHED PROOF DIES INTENDED FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE? NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW. WE CAN ONLY SPECULATE. INTERESTING STUFF!
********************************************************************************************
COIN #2 ( coin on right ) - PCGS MS 65
GOLD SHIELD HOLDER WITH A TRUE-VIEW.
A COLOR TONED KENNEDY. THIS COIN WAS INCLUDED IN KEEPING WITH THE GOAL OF DEPICTING SOME ATTRACTIVE OR UNUSUAL COINS . COBALT BLUE TONED BUSINESS STRIKE COINS ARE AMONG MY FAVORITES. BEAUTIFULLY TONED BUSINESS STRIKES LIKE THIS WILL COMMAND A GOOD PREMIUM.
ALTHOUGH I AM PARTIAL TO NGC SLABBED COINS, I ALSO LIKE PCGS SLABBED COINS WITH A NICE TRUE-VIEW PHOTO. THE TRUE-VIEW PHOTO USED TO BE A COIN GLAMOUR SHOT, BUT USUALLY ACCURATE AS WELL.
PHIL ARNOLD , WHO ONCE HEADED THE PHOTO DEPARTMENT AT PCGS, IS CREDITED WITH CREATING THE GLAMOROUS TRUE-VIEW SHOTS FOR PCGS. PHIL HAS NOW MOVED TO GREAT COLLECTIONS , SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE ONCE POPULAR PCGS TRUE-VIEW PHOTOS.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1970 D
|
NGC MS 64 PL
|
Scarce & desirable PL ( PROOF-LIKE ) Kennedy.
I ENJOY PL (PROOF LIKE ) KENNEDY HALVES BECAUSE OF THEIR SCARCITY AND EYE APPEAL. PL KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS SEEM TO BE RARE AS HENS TEETH FROM 1964 - 1969. THEN SOMETHING MYSTERIOUS HAPPENED IN 1970, AND A FEW PL COINS BEGAN TO APPEAR. THESE ARE SOMETHING OF A MYSTERY ; HOW AND WHY DID THEY SUDDENLY COME TO BE ? WAS IT HORSEPLAY OR PERHAPS COMPETITION BETWEEN A COUPLE OF PRESS OPERATORS ? WAS SOMEONE TRYING TO PREPARE SOME PRESENTATION COINS ? WE CAN ONLY SPECULATE. FUN STUFF !
KENNEDY SPECIALISTS SEEM TO CHERISH THESE SCARCE KEYDATE PL COINS.
A PL COIN MUST DISPLAY CLEAR REFLECTIVITY OF 2 - 4 INCHES AWAY FROM THE FEILDS IN ORDER TO EARN A PL DESIGNATION FROM NGC. BOTH OBVERSE & REVERSE OF THE COIN MUST DISPLAY THE MIRRORED SURFACES TO EARN A PL DESIGNATION. SOMETIMES NGC AWARDS A STAR IF THE OBVERSE OF THE COIN MEETS THE PL STANDARDS BUT THE REVERSE DOES NOT.
ANY KENNEDY HALF DOLLAR AWARDED A PL OR STAR PRIOR TO 1970 IS EXTREMELY RARE. THEY ARE MORE FREQUENTLY FOUND WITH A 1970-D MINTMARK, YET EVEN THESE ARE HIGHLY VALUED AND FOUND EXTREMELY DESIREABLE BY THE KENNEDY COLLECTOR.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1964
|
NGC MS 62
|
Here is a case where the modest numeric grade on a slab belies the beauty and eye appeal of the coin in the slab. This is a reverse mounted coin. NGC obviously liked the reverse well enough to award a star , not a very common thing for a 1964 Business strike half dollar.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1964
|
NGC MS 63
|
STAR KENNEDY.
I like any coin that displays cobalt blue toning. Sometimes that type of toning will progress from a sea green at the edges into a cobalt blue, then fade into a violet tone Someone in the grading room at NGC must have shared the same taste in toning as I do. This coin rated a STAR designation.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1964
|
NGC MS 64
|
MS64 Star
I REALLY ENJOY THOSE KODACHROME COLORFUL KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS !
GIVEN SOME OF THE PRICES NICELY TONED MORGAN DOLLARS COMMAND, THIS SERIES CAN BE A BARGAIN IN COMPARISON. I BELIEVE MANY OF THESE COLORFUL EARLY KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS ARE GREATLY UNDERVALUED IN THE MARKET PLACE.
THE PHILEDELPHIA MINT PRODUCED 273 MILLION OF THESE COINS TO MEET THE MASSIVE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR THEM. VERY FEW OF THESE COINS EVEN SAW CIRCULATION. MOST WERE SAVED AND HOARDED.
THE 1964 KENNEDY WAS HOARDED BY COLLECTORS.TO AN EXTENT NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THIS WAS THE ONLY CIRCULATION STRIKE KENNEDY THAT WAS 90% SILVER.
DUE TO THE MASSIVE PRODUCTION AND HOARDING OF THE 1964 ISSUE, NICELY COLOR TONED COINS MIGHT BE FOUND MORE OFTEN THAN COINS FROM LATER YEARS. EVEN SO, NICELY TONED COINS ARE SPECIAL AND SCARCE.
1964 MINT STATE COINS WITH A STAR DESIGNATION ARE RARER THAN HEN'S TEETH, RELATIVE TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COINS GRADED BY NGC FOR THE LAST 30 PLUS YEARS. NGC seems to be a little stingy in awarding a STAR designation to a 1964 business strike for some reason. I guess NGC deems it beneficial to be conservative in issuing grades. If you have an NGC STAR graded early business strike half dollar you had better hang on to it!
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1964 D
|
NGC MS 65
|
A STUDY OF NGC STAR COINS
Again , I took the liberty of displaying 2 separate 1964-D coins in keeping with my goal of showing some attractive coins. Both coins are from my collection & both are NGC Star coins. Coin on the right is a reverse mounted Star coin.
My main goal for this set has been to have a respectable set of coins and to display some coins that are interesting in some way. I didn't want to put together a set that looked like every other set in the registry. I hope that I have met my goal without appearing vain or obnoxious.
Have fun with your coins.
************************************************************************************************
*** Coin # 1 (COIN ON RIGHT) - MS65 STAR. ***
Vivid neon rainbow colors, reverse mounted coin.
NOTE THE D MINTMARK UNDERNEATH THE OLIVE BRANCH. THE 1964 KENNEDY HALFS WERE THE ONLY KENNEDY HALFS WITH THE MINTMARK ON THE REVERSE.
One OF ONLY 11 COINS GRADED MS65 STAR FOR A 1964-D KENNEDY. THAT IS WILD! NGC SHOWS A POPULATION OF ONLY 11 COINS IN MS65 STAR. AMAZINGLY, NGC PRICE GUIDE SHOWS THE VALUE AT ONLY $42.00 ! I WOULD LIKE TO BUY ONE FOR ONLY $42.00 . HA.
*** Coin # 2 ( COIN ON LEFT ) - NGC STAR COIN ***
A different 1964-D NGC STAR COIN. Also color toned & from the Denver Mint.
NGC awarded a Star to this coin. Comparatively speaking, not very many 1964 half dollars have been awarded a Star designation. The graders at NGC seem to favor a half dollar with true full spectrum rainbow toning. This coin displays a deep navy blue on the rims radiating rainbow colors towards the center.
**********************************************************************************************
CONGRESS VOTED TO END THE PRODUCTION OF THE FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR AND BEGIN THE PRODUCTION OF THE KENNEDY HALF DOLLAR DUE TO THE NOVEMBER 22, 1963 ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY. BY LAW , THE FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE RUN UNTIL AT LEAST THE YEAR 1973 WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF CONGRESS.
THE 1964 KENNEDY HALF WAS THE LAST OF THE TRADITIONAL 90% SILVER HALF DOLLARS. THE SILVER CONTENT WAS REDUCED TO 40% SILVER BEGINNING IN 1965, AND THE SILVER WAS COMPLETELY ELIMINATED BEGINNING IN 1971. THE 1964 KENNEDY HALF WAS THE ONLY KENNEDY TO DISPLAY THE DENVER MINT MARK ON THE REVERSE OF THE COIN.
THE KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS OF 1965, 1966 AND 1967 DISPLAYED NO MINT MARKS AT ALL, REGARDLESS OF WHICH MINT PRODUCED THEM. MINTMARKS RETURNED IN 1968, WITH THE MINTMARKS NOW MOVED TO THE OBVERSE OF THE COIN, WHERE IT HAS REMAINED TO THIS DAY.
MOST KENNEDY HALF COLLECTORS FIND THAT THE DENVER MINTED COINS WERE TYPICALLY BAGGY, WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF NICKS & DINGS ON THE COINS. 1964-D KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS ARE SCARCER IN GEM THAN THEIR PHILADELPHIA MINTED COUNTERPARTS. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE DENVER MINT PRODUCED A SMALL NUMBER OF PL (PROOF-LIKE ) KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS, MOST NOTABLY IN 1970.
THE 1964 KENNEDY HALF DOLLAR WAS THE MOST HOARDED COIN IN AMERICAN NUMISMATIC HISTORY. AS A RESULT, THE 1964 KENNEDY IS ESPECIALLY COMMON IN UNCIRCULATED CONDITION, MOST OF WHICH ARE VERY BAG-MARKED. THERE MUST BE HUNDREDS OF BEAUTIFULLY TONED 1964 KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS OUT THERE DUE TO THE HOARDING OF THIS COIN. SOMETIMES A COIN THAT RESIDED IN AN ALBUM FOR DECADES WOULD TONE BEAUTIFULLY.
I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THERE ARE SURPRISINGLY FEW (ONLY ABOUT 35 ) STAR DESIGNATED 1964-D KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS CERTIFIED BY NGC AT THIS TIME. THE NGC CENSUS SHOWS ABOUT 35 STAR DESIGNATED 1964-d COINS (TOTAL) OUT OF 13.OOO + COINS CERTIFIED IN ALL GRADES. NGC OBVIOUSLY HAS SET THE BAR VERY HIGH . GIVEN SUCH A LOW POPULATION OF 1964-D BUSINESS STRIKES BEING AWARDED A STAR DESIGNATION, IT WOULD SEEM ANY STAR 1964 KENNEDY HALF BUSINESS STRIKE SHOULD BE A GOOD VALUE AND HIGHLY UNDER-RATED .
I HAVE DEPICTED 2 DIFFERENT 1964-D COINS IN KEEPING WITH THE GOAL OF THIS SET TO DISPLAY SOME NICELY COLOR TONED COINS. ONE OF THE FRUSTRATIONS OF COLLECTING COINS IS THAT SOMETIMES THE SCARCITY OR CONDITION RARITY OF A COIN IS NOT REWARDED IN THE REGISTRY POINTS OR DOLLAR VALUE ASSIGNED TO THAT COIN. HERE IS A COUPLE OF CASES IN POINT. I'M NOT GRIPING, JUST SAYING . . .
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1964
|
NGC PF 66 CAMEO
|
PROOF66 STAR CAMEO.
**** POPULATION RARITY ****
POPULATION IN PR66 STAR CAMEO IS **17 COINS**.
THIS IS A CASE WHERE THE MODEST NUMERIC GRADE ON THE HOLDER JUST DOESN'T TELL THE WHOLE STORY. FANTASTIC EYE APPEAL ON THIS COIN. STUNNING ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1965 SMS
|
NGC MS 66 CAMEO
|
MS66 STAR CAMEO.
POPULATION: 33. ( AS OF JANUARY 2019.)
**** POPULATION RARITY. ****
**** CONDITION RARITY ****
ONE OF MY FAVORITE KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS. A STUNNING ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE WITH DEEP, WATERY MIRRORS. MOST 1965 SMS HALF DOLLARS HAVE SHALLOW MIRRORS, REMINISCENT OF A COMMON BUSINESS STRIKE COIN. STAR CAMEO IS A DESIGNATION UNIQUE TO NGC & I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE FAN OF ANY COIN WITH THIS DESIGNATION.
**********************************************************************************************
THE YEAR 1965 BEGAN THE 3 YEAR RUN OF THE HYBRID SPECIMEN SMS COINS THAT REPLACED PROOF SETS FOR THE YEARS 1965, 1966 & 1967. MANY COLLECTORS MUST HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED TO RECEIVE A 1965 SMS SET, ONLY TO FIND OUT THE HALF DOLLAR OFTEN DID NOT LOOK ANY BETTER THAN A BUSINESS STRIKE COIN. THE QUALITY DID IMPROVE OVERALL IN THE YEARS 1966 & 1967.
SMS COINS DIFFERED FROM PROOF COINS AND REGULAR BUSINESS STRIKE COINS IN MANY WAYS. SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES WERE :
A) SMS DIES RECEIVED MORE PREPARATION THAN BUSINESS STRIKE COINS.
B) SMS DIES RECEIVED LESS PREPARATION THAN PROOF COINS.
C) SMS DIES RECEIVED LONGER USE AND LESS MAINTENANCE THAN A PROOF DIE WOULD HAVE.
D) SMS PLANCHETS WERE NOT BURNISHED AS A PROOF PLANCHET WOULD HAVE BEEN.
E) SMS PLANCHETS WERE NOT DOUBLE STRUCK, AS A PROOF PLANCHET WOULD HAVE BEEN.
F) SMS COINS WERE STRUCK UNDER HIGHER PRESSURE THAN A COMMON BUSINESS STRIKE WOULD HAVE BEEN.
G) SMS COINS WERE NOT INDIVIDUALLY HANDLED, AS A PROOF WOULD HAVE BEEN. INSTEAD, THEY WERE DUMPED INTO BINS WITH OTHER COINS.
Source : The Guidebook of Franklin & Kennedy Half Dollars, by R. Tomaska
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1966
|
NGC MS 64
|
Rare 1966 STAR Business strike
A scarce Kodachrome color toned Kennedy business strike combined with a rare proof-like OBVERSE, either of which could merit a STAR from NGC. The obverse surfaces resemble those of a SMS coin. This coin is a BUSINESS STRIKE coin, not a Special Mint Set strike!
This is the only early Kennedy business strike I have ever seen that possessed BOTH a PL ( proof-like ) obverse and a colorful reverse. Truely a 1 in a million occurance. This is perhaps the rarest coin I own, given a rare proof-like obverse combined with an unusually pretty color toned reverese, both of which are deserving of a Star designation. Here is a case where the valuation given the coin doesn't even come close to it's true value & rarity.
MS64 STAR.
A TRUE RAINBOW TONED COIN. Thanks to DM Rare Coins of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania for the accurate color photograph and his professional observations.
Here is a case where a modest grade belies the true beauty and value of a coin.
NGC SHOWS A POPULATION OF 15 STAR COINS IN ALL (BUSINESS STRIKE) GRADES COMBINED FOR THIS YEAR.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1966
|
NGC MS 65
|
A STUDY OF BUSINESS STRIKE STAR COINS, INCLUDING ONE WITH A RARE PROOF-LIKE OBVERSE.
2 DIFFERENT NGC STAR COINS ARE SHOWN HERE IN KEEPING WITH THE GOAL OF THIS SET. BOTH PHOTOS SHOW THE ACTUAL COINS FROM MY COLLECTION. ONE WAS AWARDED A STAR FOR A PROOF-LIKE OBVERSE, THE OTHER WAS AWARDED A STAR FOR A COLORFUL REVERSE. THESE 1966 STAR COINS ARE ACTUALLY A COUPLE OF THE RAREST COINS OF THIS SERIES, WITH 1966 NGC STAR HALFS SHOWING AN EXTREMELY LOW POPULATION. THEY ALMOST NEVER COME ON THE MARKET.
*************************************************************************************************
A) Coin #1 - COIN ON THE LEFT- MS65 STAR. ** CONDITION RARITY. **
**(low population coin In MS 65 STAR. ) **
NGC HAS ONLY GRADED 15 1966 BUSINESS STRIKES WITH A STAR FOR THIS DATE , ONLY 3 OF THOSE AS MS65 STAR, WHICH MAKES THIS COIN ONE OF THE MOST RARE COINS IN THE SET. THIS COIN WOULD BE VIRTUALLY IR-REPLACEABLE.
At first glance the coin on the left appears to be a Special Mint Set ( SMS ) coin. Look again, because the coin on the left is a business strike ! This coin might be considered ir-replaceable due to the rare (for this date) proof-like surface on a business strike Kennedy.
THE COIN ON THE LEFT RECIEVED A STAR DESIGNATION FOR IT'S REFLECTIVE, PROOF-LIKE OBVERSE. THIS COIN WAS POSSIBLY STRUCK USING A SPECIAL MINT SET DIE FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO ASSAY OFFICE (see NGC EXPLORER ). THERE IS 1 KNOWN 1966 BUSINESS STRIKE GRADED FULL PL. THE COIN PICTURED IS PL ON THE OBVERSE ONLY, HENCE A STAR DESIGNATION INSTEAD OF PL DESIGNATION. ( POPULATION = 3 IN MS65 STAR ).
NGC states in it's NGC EXPLORER comments that it is speculated that the Denver Mint could have received some used SMS dies that resulted in the few rare proof-like coins that exist in business strikes dated 1965-1967. See NGC Explorer. That is pure speculation of course, as these coins were produced almost 60 years ago.
B) Coin #2- COIN ON THE RIGHT IS GRADED BY NGC AS MS64 STAR. *** CONDITION RARITY*** (Population extremely low in MS64 STAR). A reverse mounted colorful toner, apparently receiving it's Star for the exceptional color toning. On rare occasions a business strike Kennedy might receive a star designation for a proof-like obverse, as in coin #1. Most business strike half dollars awarded a Star were done so because of nice color toning, as shown here on coin #2.
Here is another extremely rare 1966 business strike ( not to be confused with a SPECIAL MINT SET ) with a Star Designation. This is a case where neither the registry points awarded these Star coins , nor the price guide value reflect the true scarcity in this condition and grade. Many of the early business strike Kennedy Halfs awarded a STAR designation by NGC are very rare. Try finding one anywhere !
Perhaps this is the rarest coin in my collection. At first glance one might assume the Star Designation was awarded only for the outrageous COLOR on the reverse of the coin. But on close examination, this coin also has a Proof-Like obverse as well, making it a double rarity. I think it would be difficult to find another business strike coin in this series that is identical to it.
Interesting stuff !
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1969 S
|
NGC PF 69 CAMEO
|
NGC PROOF 69 STAR CAMEO. My favorite Proof grade. This coin was harder to find than a full ultra cam coin, the star cams have a way lower population. I own a PROOF 69 Ultra Cameo for this date, but choose to display this one in the Registry because I like it.
ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE. TOP POP COIN. I AM A BIG FAN OF ANY NGC COIN DESIGNATED STAR CAMEO.
***********************************************************************************************
On July 20, 1969 everybody in the nation was glued to their T.V. sets to see a man walk on the moon for the first time. My father & I sat in front of our old black & white T.V. set that night and watched Neil Armstrong utter his historic remarks and then make " one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
A lot of us guys would like to travel back in time to 1969 just for the cars. Big block Chevelles and 440 six pack Roadrunners ruled the streets back then. Who could have guessed what kind of crazy money a nice original or restored muscle car would someday bring. Anyone seen what a genuine Hamid 'Cuda brings ?
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1954
|
NGC PF 67
|
PROOF 67 STAR.
ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE. GLISTENING SNOW WHITE DEVICES THAT JUST GLOW AT YOU. BUST OF FRANKLIN IS PAPER WHITE WITH OUTRAGEOUS DEEP ' BLACK HOLE ' MIRRORS. PRISTINE SURFACES. NICELY FROSTED REVERSE PRESENTS A NICE CAMEO CONTRAST. REVERSE OF COIN HAS SOME FROST FADE ON THE BELL THAT PROBABLY KEPT IT OUT OF FULL CAMEO DESIGNATION. ONE IN A THOUSAND COIN.
I REALLY LIKE AN NGC STAR COIN. CAN YOU TELL?
POPULATION : ** 95 COINS ** , AS OF AUGUST 2018.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1955
|
NGC PF 68
|
PROOF 68 STAR.
ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE WITH CLEAN, DEEP MIRRORS.
BLAZING WHITE GEM WITH SUPERB EYE APPEAL.
POPULATION : 196 ; AS OF 5/2018.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1957
|
NGC PF 68
|
PROOF 68 STAR.
Super gem.
A BRIGHT, PROBLEM FREE COIN WITH TREMENDOUS EYE APPEAL. LOVELY CAMEO OBVERSE.
POPULATION: 219 , AS OF DECEMBER 2018.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1956 TYPE 2
|
NGC PF 68 CAMEO
|
PROOF 68 STAR CAMEO.
POPULATION: 146. AS OF 5/2018.
ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE WITH SUPERB EYE APPEAL AND FANTASTIC LUSTER.
OUTRAGEOUS BLACK AND WHITE CAMEO, OH SO CLOSE TO FULL ULTRA CAMEO.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1960
|
NGC PF 67 CAMEO
|
PROOF 67 STAR CAMEO.
**** POPULATION : 78 **** (AS OF JANUARY 2019). ** POPULATION RARITY **
ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1958
|
NGC PF 67
|
PR 67 STAR.
POPULATION:177 . AS OF 2/2018.
BEAUTIFUL CAMEO OBVERSE WITH DEEP, CLEAN MIRRORS. LOOKS FULL CAMEO.
A RELATIVELY LOW MINTAGE ISSUE TO BEGIN WITH, THESE STAR FRANKLINS ARE REALLY UNDERVALUED CONSIDERING SUCH LOW NGC POPULATION COUNTS.
THE INFAMOUS "MILKSPOTS" BEGAN TO APPEAR IN 1958 AND WOULD BE AN ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE FRANKLIN HALF SERIES, WELL INTO THE 1964 RUN OF KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS. FINDING A NICE FRANKLIN PROOF FROM THESE YEARS THAT IS FREE OF "MILKSPOTS" CAN BE A CHALLENGE.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1961
|
NGC PF 67
|
PROOF 67 STAR.
*** COIN 1 ***
WOW! STUNNING ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE OBVERSE! WITH EXTRA HEAVY FROST. LOVELY BLACK AND WHITE COIN.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1952
|
NGC PF 65
|
PR 65 STAR.
BEAUTIFUL EARLY FRANKLIN. BLAST WHITE WITH NICE CAMEO OBVERSE. NO TONING TO BE FOUND. GOOD CANDIDATE FOR RE-SUBMISSION / RE-GRADE.
** POPULATION :44 **, AS OF APRIL 2018.
NEVER MET A STAR COIN I DIDN'T LIKE.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1962
|
NGC PF 66 CAMEO
|
WOW. ULTRA CAMEO OBVERSE WITH DEEP, BLACK HOLE MIRRORS. ONE OF THE NICEST CAMEO FRANKLINS I OWN. THE COIN WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE EARLIEST STRIKES OFF A FRESH DIE, AS THE BLACK AND WHITE CONTRAST IS STUNNING. COIN IN HAND IS BEAUTIFUL.****.POPULATION RARITY.****
PROOF 66 STAR CAMEO.
POPULATION: 43, AS OF 2/2018.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1953
|
NGC PF 66
|
PROOF 66 STAR.
POPULATION ** 62 ** , AS OF MAY 2019.
BEAUTIFUL BLACK AND WHITE CONTRAST WITH STUNNING FROSTED OBVERSE. IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO SEE A 1953 FRANKLIN WITH DEEP, REFLECTIVE MIRRORS. APPARENTLY A LOT OF 1953 FRANKLINS WERE STRUCK FROM WELL WORN DIES, JUDGING FROM THE POOR MIRROR QUALITY OF SOME COINS OF THE DATE.
|
|
|
View Coin
| |
United States
|
50C 1964 D
|
NGC MS 64
|
POPULATION 6.
NGC IS FRUGAL IN AWARDING A STAR TO A 1964 KENNEDY HALF FOR SOME REASON. AT THE PRESENT TIME THIS IS 1 OF ONLY 6 IN THIS GRADE FOR A 1964-D KENNEDY. MS 64 STAR .
THIS KENNEDY DISPLAYS ALL THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW , WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY EARNED IT THE STAR DESIGNATION.
IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE OFFICIAL NGC PRICE GUIDE VALUE FOR A MS64 STAR IS $23.00. GOOD LUCK FINDING ONE AT THAT PRICE !!
|
|