1950 Franklin Half Dollar. Proof-66 Deep Cameo (PCGS).

Here is an exceptionally well produced and preserved example of a key date Proof Franklin half dollar issue. Untoned surfaces set off the remarkable Deep Cameo finish. Silky smooth and virtually pristine, even the finest collection of this popular 20th century series would be greatly enhanced by this lovely upper end Gem. The 1950 is not only the first Proof half dollar of this type, but it is also the most challenging to collect. The mintage of 51,386 Proofs is the lowest in this series, and most survivors show considerable evidence of having been poorly made or carelessly handled. According to Rick Tomaska in the 2002 edition of The Complete Guide to Franklin Half Dollars, "Glue spots, the use of overused dies, poor packaging, improper handling, all conspire to make high quality examples of this date extremely scarce or rare." In the third edition (2018) of his Guide Book of Franklin & Kennedy Half Dollars authored for Whitman, Tomaska further observes that, "The 1950 Proof Franklin in gem PCGS deep cameo or NGC ultra cameo is a great 20th-century rarity, and in my opinion among the most desirable numismatic coins of that century that one could hope to own." Following the author's logic, this pop 1/0 PCGS Proof-66 Deep Cameo specimen is the holy grail of Proof Franklin half dollars. Advanced collectors of this series would be wise to take full advantage of the opportunity that this lot represents.

PCGS# 96691. NGC ID: 27VA.

PCGS Population: 1; 0 finer in this category. PCGS reports only nine certification events in all grades in the DCAM category.

Ex EBL III Collection, #1 All-Time Finest on the PCGS Set Registry in the category Franklin Half Dollars Basic Set, Proof (1950-1963); our June 2023 Auction, lot 2022.

Estimate: $50000