Question about Franklin half dollars 0

[East Coast Coin]

Hello all!

I've been active on the NGC registry for the past three months and really enjoy writing descriptions about each coin in my collection. Anyhow after finishing my collection of American Silver Eagles I began collecting Franklin half dollars.

I've noticed with mint state Franklin half dollars that the visual beauty seems to get worse rather than better with higher grades. Sometimes a MS-67 Franklin is so dotted and toned it's almost black and nothing is clearly legible but somehow it gets a better rating than a beautiful specimen full of shine and luster and without any scratches or dings or dents or discoloration or blotches or milkspots. I find it unusual how often it's the case that the MS-62, 63, 64 and 65s seem to have fewer visual flaws than the more rare and much more expensive MS-66, 67, and 68s.

TL;DR- On eBay an unusual portion of the high-grade Franklins (MS66-68) look dirty, dotted with discoloration, almost as if they've been in circulation for decades. Yet many lower graded coins (MS63-65) look freshly minted, like great white gems twinkling with luster in the moonlight. What's the deal?

[powermad5000]

Hello!

This is something I have noticed myself since embarking on putting a full set of business strike Franklins together (i.e. no proofs) in minimum MS 64 FBL from all raw coins and submitted for grading. Most of my 64's and the few 65's I have are a bright shade of white. A few have some minor white spots on them but not enough to diminish the overall eye appeal. I have noted on many of the 66's and up that I have seen seem to have varying degrees of toning and colors, some fully toned on both sides in blue or black colors. I have also noticed to a lesser degree this same effect on Mercury dimes.

I cannot explain this and how it correlates to grades and especially higher grades as it is not like the lower grade 64's and 63's are getting details grades for cleaning. They are straight grading. I wish I had a good explanation for this but I do not.

[Sandon]

   This topic was originally posted in the NGC Registry forum, where I had the following observations:

      Many of the heavily toned Franklin half dollars (and other silver coins dated from 1947 to 1958) originated in the U.S. Mint uncirculated coin ("mint") sets of that era, whose packaging consisted of cardboard holders and paper envelopes that reacted with the coin metal. Believe it or not, some collectors regard this heavy and often dark or spotted toning as enhancing and indicative of the coins' originality and are willing to pay a premium for them.  The grading services tend to award high grades to these coins with "mint set toning". Like you, I regard this toning, formerly known as tarnish, as ugly and undesirable.  I prefer the brilliant and frosty or lightly toned coins that originated in bags or original rolls instead of these unattractive pieces.  

      Regarding the brilliant pieces, try to avoid those that are brilliant because they have been "dipped".  Such coins will usually have a somewhat "washed out" appearance or white residue spots from insufficient rinsing. Grading services will numerically grade pieces that have been dipped if not excessively so but will usually not award them grades higher than MS 64.

[Mr.Bill347]

I’ve noticed the same although my MS64 FBL set are mostly similar. Mine are slightly toned, but seems like the reverses are less so.

[GoldFinger1969]

Good discussion....curious....are any of you familiar with the (in)famous Franklin Gradeflation Thread ATS ?

[powermad5000]

I am not. I have assembled so far roughly 83% of the complete set from all raw purchases. It is, however, getting to the point that I have exhausted all local resources for quality FBL examples of these and I may have to resort to purchasing the rest already graded. Mine typically look like this.

 

[Teddy R]

Toning on silver coins doesn't seem to affect grading in a negative way anymore than blast white affects it positively. Eye appeal is just personal preference. Some call it toning, I call it tarnish. I only buy blast white even if it's a lower grade because the coin is more pleasing to me. It also seems that certain series are held to a higher standard than others as far as marks in the field etc And yes, milk spots are a deal breaker for me. A blast white, FBL, high grade Franklin Half collection is a very tough accomplishment.

Edited March 10 by Teddy R