I Just Completed My Franklin Half Dollar Set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (giveaway inside)

[physics-fan3.14]

With the purchase of the incredibly elusive 1952S tonight, I completed my Franklin half dollar set. Every coin is a minimum of 64FBL, every coin is slabbed by NGC, and every coin is a well struck FBL (with the exception of the 1953S, of course).

 

Tonight marks the culmination of 8 years of work, and I can think of no better coin to finish the set with. The 1952S is the second hardest coin in the entire series, next to the 1953S, and I have only seen a handful of NGC FBL's appear at auction over the past couple years. There was a 64FBL in a recent Heritage auction which I decided to pass on because it was unattractive, as much as I wanted it. Mark Feld helped me make that decision (thanks!) I was pleased to see this coin appear on Ebay from greattoning, with whom I have had positive transactions with before (and who is known to several board members). His coins are usually quite attractive, so I had no reservations in bidding on this one.

 

I was able to get this coin for a very fair price (well under Numismedia and PCGS retail, and even under recent Heritage completed auctions). Needless to say, I was willing to go considerably higher.

 

Please help me celebrate! I am going to have a giveaway: a 1962D NGC MS-64FBL Franklin, well struck and brilliant white. This coin is deceptively hard, despite the somewhat low retail value. To enter the giveaway - go to my Registry set, and post what my first Franklin was. For a bonus entry, what was my first NGC slabbed Franklin? I just won the auction tonight, the giveaway will close when I receive this coin in hand.

 

So, without further ado, here it is!

[Dwaine]

Congrats on finishing the set.

[jesbroken]

First NGC

1952 D 1-12-2004 truly a great set, Jason

Jim

First Frankie

I can remember the first one even now – a 1963D, a little beat up, but it had a gorgeous crescent of orangey golden album toning around the rims. I was hooked.

[bsshog40]

Cograts there Jason. Great accomplishment my friend. 1st?? 1952D

[Schatzy]

Congrats!! (thumbs u (thumbs u

 

1959-D

[SkyMan]

CONGRATULATIONS, Jason!!! WhooHoo!!! Putting together a nice Franklin set is a lot more difficult than most people realize. Particularly one as nice as the set that you put together.

 

A '52-S in 65FBL is a REAL toughie. Congratulations! Those images are a little blurry. When you get it, please image it and post it here to the boards. BTW, I really like all the extra info about Franklins you've added to your set over time.

[WoodenJefferson]

[TJ'S Coins]

Congratulations on completing a great set!

[$ilverHawk]

Congratulations on a great set. 52D and 59D 1/12/2004. Both NGC. Great journey.

[MunkyMan95]

Awesome! :thumbsup:

[PCcoins]

Sweeeeeeeeeet!

 

There's nothing like that sweet feeling of accomplishment (thumbs u

[Bugmann1974]

It is always great finishing something that has taken years to accomplish.

 

 

Congrats Jason!

[fishfinder]

Congrats Jason, wow, I now know what a long road it's been having taken a look at collecting that set. A 1963-D was your first and the 1952 -D was your first slabbed.

[robec1347]

Congratulations Jason on a job well done. Eight years is a nice long journey. I look forward to seeing your images.

[cpm9ball]

You have every reason to be proud, Jason. Congratulations!

 

For your contest...........................

 

1st Coin - 1963D (senior year in high school)

 

1st Slab - 1952D (NGC MS64FBL, $28 at FUN 2004)

 

Chris

[MJ]

 

That is awesome!!!!! Well done, well done indeed.MJ

[James_OldeTowne]

WOW!

 

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!

 

Completing a Franklin set in such high grade with FBLs is truly a stunning achievement!

 

Congratulations on acquisition of what I know to be a crazy difficult final piece of the puzzle!

[IGWT]

[rons]

Congratulations on a terrifiic accomplishment Now what are you going to collect?

[Old Pueblo]

Awesome! (thumbs u Hey and I want to agree, I have enjoyed my first year at this board partly because of what I have learned about Franklins "Thanks to you"

You have shown us many great Frankies along the way. So "Thank you" Jason. Gosh, whats next for your collection?

[IGWT]

On to Shield Nickels!

[pendragon1998]

Congratulations - a beautiful set that represents years of work. It's a fantastic feeling to complete a set like that, so bask in your glory!

 

 

#1 1963D

#1 NGC 1952D

 

Thanks for the chance!

[rrantique]

Well Done Jason.

[James_OldeTowne]

On to Shield Nickels!

 

!

 

I've always thought these make a nice addendum to a Franklin half set:

 

[SkyMan]

Oh, come on now guys. Isn't it obvious? Now that he has completed this set, he can move on to collecting the complete Franklin proof set next.

[physics-fan3.14]

Thanks guys!

 

James- I've looked at those, and if I ever see one I like (at a price I like) I will pick one up, for obvious reasons.

 

I really honestly have no idea where I want to go next. I'm in the process of trying to decide that now, and will be picking up a few coins which may or may not be the start of my next set. The next couple of months, until I decide, I'll be trying different series on for size, and see what I like. I'm guessing my trip to FUN will also help decide.

[jtryka]

Congrats on the accomplishment Jason!

[fishfinder]

Again, I would like to commend you on a super set and thank you for the knowledge you have shared the past couple of years I've been here. I like the 1952-S and I'm kinda glad I didn't see it on the bay and bid it up. (thumbs u

[physics-fan3.14]

Again, I would like to commend you on a super set and thank you for the knowledge you have shared the past couple of years I've been here. I like the 1952-S and I'm kinda glad I didn't see it on the bay and bid it up. (thumbs u

 

I'm glad too, although I can guarantee you would have lost. Thanks for the compliment, I really enjoy hearing people say they have learned something from my set.

[supertooth]

Jason----- I'd like to add my congrats to those before me. But, I paid attention to the 8 years that it took you. That means a lot of dedication and above all----Patience.

 

By some coincidence, I technically finished one of my Walker sets last night. I purchased # 290380181406 last evening. As you did, it took me 10 years to finish the set. I hope it arrives this week as my Christmas present to myself. I won't add the coin until I have it in hand.

 

It has been quite busy around here lately with my wife working many, many extra hours at the local post office. I hope shortly to complete some picture taking----and to add that last 1936S Walker. Was fitting that I added an "NGC" MS66 coin as my final empty space.

 

Naturally, I will always continue to look for upgrades for both sets. Always room for improvement.

 

My advice on your next adventure is only to pick something that "CAN" be finished eventually----as well as something that is time consuming. One needs to have a set or series that can hold one's interest over time. Make it affordable within reason. Well done and continued good fortune with whatever your choice might be. As always. Bob [supertooth]