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buyer, there are still opportunities in U.S. numismatics. Certainly one of the brightest stars in the numismatic galaxy is the 1950 to 1970 Cameo Proof and Special Mint Set series. 1950 to 1970 Cameo Proof coinage represents one of the last frontiers in U.S. numismatics, as few series offer the collector so much in terms of beauty, quality, scarcity, and eye-appeal - for so little, as the top quality cameo proof and Special Mint Set coins from this era. It is one of the few series'' left in U.S. numismatics that offers the collector a chance to own scarce U.S. coins that represent the absolute ultimate in quality - often for a very modest price. Most knowledgeable collectors and dealers would agree that there are five primary factors that help determine a coin''s desirability, value, and potential for future price appreciation. valuesofoldu.scoin Not necessarily in order of importance, they are: 1. Eye-appeal, 2. Quality, 3. Rarity, 4. Price, and 5. Potential for widespread collector appeal. Quite simply, cameo proof coinage of the 1950 to 1970 era currently offer more eye-appeal, quality, rarity, and potential for widespread collector appeal per numismatic dollar than any other U.S. coin series I can toned in iridescent shades of purple, plum, burgundy, green, orange, gold.....virtually every color of the rainbow, can sometimes be found on a single coin! The design of the Franklin half, with the broad expanse of Franklin''s bust on the obverse, and the Liberty bell on the reverse, is an easy target for bagmarks or abrasion. A pristine Franklin half, with a smooth, unblemished cheek of Franklin on the obverse, and equally pristine Liberty bell on the reverse, is a truly beautiful coin. On the other hand, the simplicity of these surfaces also serves to magnify, or hilight, the smallest bagmark! The cheek of Franklin & the Liberty bell make easy targets. The quality of the typical uncirculated Franklin roll is quite low, with all 20 coins usually grading between MS 60 and MS 63. By comparison, if one had the good fortune to acquire an original roll of uncirculated Walking Liberty half dollars (the series immediately preceding the Franklins, minted from 1916-1947) the general quality of the coins would likely be quite high, with most coins grading MS 64 - MS 65. What About Any Hordes Of Gem Bu Franklins That Have Yet To Surface? Original unsearched bags of BU Franklins? The last bag the valuesofoldu.scoin nation. Subsequent population reports emanating from PCGS will reveal how very scarce the majority valuesofoldu.scoin of proof issues are in cameo. With the release of the cameo proof book, and with PCGS'' and NGC''s leap into this market, cameo dealers and collectors will now have accurate, hard data with the release of these services'' grading reports to back up what we long-time cameo dealers and collectors have known for years - that exceptional cameo examples of many dates are extremely rare, and are truly among the best values in U.S. numismatics today. Most collectors and dealers are very familiar with BU Franklins. The majority of uncirculated valuesofoldu.scoin BU Franklin half dollars on the market are extremely baggy, and/or possess very heavy, unattractive brown or gray toning. These are ugly coins. The Franklin design is a work of art in its simplicity. The bust of Franklin on the obverse, and the famous Liberty bell on the reverse, are beautiful when their surfaces are clear and unblemished! In addition, many Franklins were issued by the mint in cardboard mint sets. The sulfur from these paper products often created some of the most beautifully toned coins in all of U.S. coinage! While rare, gem Franklin halves
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