1955 Franklin half dollar "Bugs Bunny" 1 1

[Hinkle]

Hello again, picked this up for a really good deal. My question is what does PREMIER mean. And my second question there's no MS64 in the red book or other books I have. Would that mean MS64 is a common grade as this die clash error is common on these halves. Just asking, thanks 

[Coinbuf]

I am not familiar with that label, most likely it was done as a special promotion for a television seller or some type of promotion.    I do not understand your question on the grade, MS64 is the grade given the coin by the PCGS grading staff, why does this seem unusual to you?   The 70 point Sheldon scale, which includes all the MS grades from MS70 to MS60, has been in use by all the grading services for decades.

Edited May 4, 2023 by Coinbuf

[Hinkle]

On 5/4/2023 at 12:35 PM, Coinbuf said:

I am not familiar with that label, most likely it was done as a special promotion for a television seller or some type of promotion.    I do not understand your question on the grade, MS64 is the grade given the coin by the PCGS grading staff, why does this seem unusual to you?   The 70 point Sheldon scale, which includes all the MS grades from MS70 to MS60, has been in use by all the grading services for decades.

Thanks Coinbuf, I was looking up MS64 for the pricing in the red book and other books I have. The books are only showing MS63 ,MS65, and proof65. I know not to go by theses pricing, but trying to get a ballpark figure on this.

[Hinkle]

Thought this might help 

[Sandon]

   As @Coinbuf indicated, some dealer or promoter likely paid PCGS for this "special" label. The PCGS certification verification function (on pcgs.com) refers to the holder as "Standard". 

   The "Redbook" and other printed price guides just don't have room to list coins in all eleven (or more) mint state grades now in use, not to mention all of the now numerous circulated grades. (The Redbook isn't useful as an up-to-date price guide anyway.) They just choose a few representative grades.  The online price guides (NGC, PCGS, Coin World and others) tend to list more grades. The PCGS certificate verification for this coin indicates that there are 1,845 1955 "Bugs Bunny" variety half dollars graded in MS 64 and 350 in all higher grades, so MS 64 is likely what Q. David Bowers would call the "optimal collecting grade" (highest grade at a reasonable price) for this variety. You can see the populations in all grades on the PCGS population report, which is also accessible from the PCGS home page.

  

[Hinkle]

On 5/4/2023 at 12:53 PM, Sandon said:

   As @Coinbuf indicated, some dealer or promoter likely paid PCGS for this "special" label. The PCGS certification verification function (on pcgs.com) refers to the holder as "Standard". 

   The "Redbook" and other printed price guides just don't have room to list coins in all eleven (or more) mint state grades now in use, not to mention all of the now numerous circulated grades. (The Redbook isn't useful as an up-to-date price guide anyway.) They just choose a few representative grades.  The online price guides (NGC, PCGS, Coin World and others) tend to list more grades. The PCGS certificate verification for this coin indicates that there are 1,845 1955 "Bugs Bunny" variety half dollars graded in MS 64 and 350 in all higher grades, so MS 64 is likely what Q. David Bowers would call the "optimal collecting grade" (highest grade at a reasonable price) for this variety. You can see the populations in all grades on the PCGS population report, which is also accessible from the PCGS home page.

  

Thank you Sandon, really good info. 

[Jason Abshier]

Redbook is basically useless every year to buy the prices in there do not reflex the coin market through the year prices are changing often best to use other sources like auction house prices at the time , or look cert number up on PCGS and search for past auction prices to determine an more accurate ball park price for your coin…I ran your coin’s cert number through data base on PCGS cert lookup 

[Hinkle]

Is there any suggestion I should know when and hopefully I go to a coin show this summer. I'm asking this because there a couple coins I would like to pick up ,if I can get them in my budget. Pretty much I'll be showing up with just a red book. I'm not going by the pricing just going by photos varietys etc...

[Coinbuf]

On 5/4/2023 at 11:48 AM, Hinkle said:

Thanks Coinbuf, I was looking up MS64 for the pricing in the red book and other books I have. The books are only showing MS63 ,MS65, and proof65. I know not to go by theses pricing, but trying to get a ballpark figure on this.

Ok, sorry I wasn't understanding what your question was with regard to the grade.   As to going to a show, as @Sandon said the prices are hopelessly outdated in the redbook, so you need to do your research prior to going.   Identify those varieties that you want to locate and use the online resources, like the NGC explorer or the PCGS coinfacts, to see the recent pricing.   The other option for a printed resource is to pay for a graysheet, however, do not be surprised if many prices at a show are above graysheet prices.

While you are at the show and at a table going thru a dealers inventory the worst thing you could do is pull out the redbook and start flipping pages, the dealer will know for sure that you are trying to cherrypick him and may even tell you to leave the table.   For sure if you do try and buy something he will take a very close look at what you are interested in to see if he missed something.   Know in advance what you're looking for and the PUPs (pick up points), if you are unsure then either buy it and hope you are correct or leave and go to another area of the show before checking your redbook, once confirmed you can return and buy it

[Jason Abshier]

On 5/4/2023 at 3:32 PM, Hinkle said:

Is there any suggestion I should know when and hopefully I go to a coin show this summer. I'm asking this because there a couple coins I would like to pick up ,if I can get them in my budget. Pretty much I'll be showing up with just a red book. I'm not going by the pricing just going by photos varietys etc...

You seem to want have nice collection maybe get more serious about collecting ? First sit down , looks and think about what you want to get or start collecting when you go to coin show …. Do your research online look at current prices go by (auctions) *remember a coin is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it* …

your redbook ? Leave it at home ! It not even worth bringing with you unless you prefer to use it for reference but do not go by prices in redbook if you are planning to do some haggling prices with a dealer it will make you look uneducated please don’t do that … here’s a list 

1) do your homework determine what you coin or (coins) you want to purchase 

2) I stress this often research and research prices (private dealer websites, auction house prices, eBay as well) get your prices right *double check them prices before you go to coin show as well* print them out on paper or write them down 

3) go to coin show *set your budget how much you want to spend* and stick to it ! Only look for coin in grade that you wanted (don’t just opt for cheaper coin in lower grade just to have it) being a coin collector is also about disciplining yourself make right purchases don’t just buy for heck of it or wasteful spending on a bunch of low end coins that dealers don’t even want buy but are happy someone took them off their inventory… You want something that makes you happy to look at for long while to come something that appreciates as the years go on that’s what more serious collecting is about , carefully selecting coins with a nice eye appeal are the goals you’ll need learn when going to coin show and “spending discipline” is hard to master for novice but it’s key to being a good collector making good purchases 

[EagleRJO]

On 5/4/2023 at 3:32 PM, Hinkle said:

if I can get them in my budget. Pretty much I'll be showing up with just a red book.

You can access the NGC price guide on your phone.

.

[Jason Abshier]

On 5/4/2023 at 9:22 PM, EagleRJO said:

You can access the NGC price guide on your phone.

.

That’s a good “price reference” information but even NGC and PCGS prices can either be too high or too low for certain types of coins especially a hot series that in demands it’s more better get prices from current auctions or Greysheet if one wants pay for that …. (Although current NGC prices are a close ball park it’s just not updated often on prices) but not as current as market is … you and I both know coins are bid and can be bought more cheaper than we see prices on NGC ….if one does their homework and really look into it

I laugh and shake my head all time I see sellers on eBay trying to sell their NGC graded coins exactly what NGC prices same could be said about PCGS coins and prices or they add that 12% or even more for a coin’s price on eBay that’s why a lot coins don’t sell well on there … that’s why we rarely see NGC ever post prices for gold and silver bullion the prices are changing so often so is some certain coins 

[EagleRJO]

On 5/5/2023 at 10:54 AM, Jason Abshier said:

That’s a good “price reference” information but even NGC and PCGS prices can either be too high or too low for certain types of coins especially a hot series that in demands it’s more better get prices from current auctions

Except for bullion coins where spot prices should be used, I use the NGC prices as a guide for a lot of different coins which has been pretty much spot on.  Then I zero in with Auction prices from Great collections, but sometimes they don't have any recent sales to be of much use.  And I have also noticed that a lot of the ask prices or auction reserves on eBay lately are way too high, and those coins just sit.

[powermad5000]

The "teeth" are from a die clash but they are not an error, merely a variety. I am guessing the PREMIER label was either a promo for something or a specialty paid label (like an NGC slot machine casino label say). You need to use computer price guides as they show intermediate grades as well as +, *, and PL grades. Any book does not have the room in it to list every grade or the book would end up being the size of half of the Library of Congress.

MS 64 is a common grade for the entire Franklin Half Dollar series (FBL is harder to get). Franklin halves don't really start to increase in value until you get to MS 65 and higher.

[RWB]

This kind of die clash is known on several years and mints of Franklin halves. There are few collectors and it is not especially valuable. The 1955 "Bugs Bunny" was simply a sales promotion that survived largely because of the nickname's alliteration.

[VKurtB]

On 5/7/2023 at 3:51 PM, RWB said:

The 1955 "Bugs Bunny" was simply a sales promotion that survived largely because of the nickname's alliteration.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Winnah, winnah, chicken dinnah! That and there were quite many found..

[Sandon]

   I'm an older collector who has no intention of carrying a costly, internet dependent, and breakage and theft prone electronic device at a coin show.  I carry current copies of The CPG Coin & Currency Market Review (quarterly) and the monthly edition of Coin World for pricing information.  (In its May issue Coin World deleted its price listings for many series; but Larry Jewett, Coin World's editorial director, informed me that in response to complaints from many subscribers, including me, most or all of the deleted listings would soon be restored.) I also carry a recent edition of the standard "Red Book" for reference. I would also recommend that less experienced collectors carry a grading guide. 

Edited May 7, 2023 by Sandon
corrected typos

[EagleRJO]

On 5/7/2023 at 5:59 PM, Sandon said:

I'm an older collector who has no intention of carrying a costly, internet dependent, and breakage and theft prone electronic device at a coin show.

Are you still using that 20 year old flip phone Sandon? [duck]  

[ldhair]

The 1955 had the lowest mintage of all the MS Franklin's. None were minted in D or S. Many UNC rolls were saved. Collectors building a set, needed one. The Bugs Bunny became rather popular when the CherryPickers Guide listed the coin.

About 40 years ago, I bought a large group of UNC silver rolls. At that time the going price was about 3 to 4X face value. Years later I decided to search one of the 1955 Franklin rolls. They were all the Bugs Bunny. There were no FBLs but I picked what I thought was the best coin in the roll and sent it to PCI to be graded. They gave it a 64. The rest of the roll still sits in my safe and not worth the cost to have them graded.

Fun coin and one of the few clashed die coins to become popular.