JRZ3333 Set of MS Bens
Private
Updated:
2/17/2026
Views: 1,196
Full Bell Line set (with the exception of the 1953-S). This set contains many nice MS 66 FBL pieces. I prefer a mix of toned and non-toned coins in the sets I collect which is evident here. I also value grade first, strike second and overall appearance third with other attributes trailing behind these three.
I have been collecting Franklin Half Dollars since the mid-80s. I have always loved the design and the history behind the man and the bell. I was fortunate to obtain a copy of Jack A. Ehrmantraut Jr's book "An Analysis of Gem Franklin Half Dollars" shortly after my first purchases. This led me then to a dealer named John Rue who was in Lowell, MA at the time when I was stationed with the U.S. Army at nearby Fort Devens. From him I obtained on my meager salary a few Gem pieces. As time went on and even to this day I find Mr. Ehrmantraut's book to be 99% accurate. He had keen insight of Franklins way back in 1983 when the book was published and prior.
Years came and went with minimal progress in assembling my collection due to the strains of raising a family on an Army salary. Once I retired from the Army in 2000 and became a defense contractor and the kids moved on to higher education and beyond I had more resources to assemble the set with.
In addition to commentary, I have included population reports from NGC and PCGS as of this writing in October 2015 with the first number being the grade of coin I have and subsequent numbers being the consecutive higher grades for the designation. I will periodically update the population figures. I have also included mintage figures for each date and mint so that one can see how few coin have been graded in the higher grades out of the millions minted.
I continue to upgrade the coins as I can afford them with the only goal being the best FBL set I can afford. I doubt I will be able to ever afford a 1953-S in Full Bell Line (if and when one even comes up for sale) but I'd be honored to see one.
Collect what you like and get the best examples you can afford but most importantly, enjoy the hobby and the hunt!
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JRZ3333 Set of MS Bens
By zman3333
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