The History of the Franklin Half Dollar
(1948-1963)
The first Franklin Half Dollar was issued in 1948. The obverse depicted the bust of Benjamin Franklin while the reverse pictured the Liberty Bell, crack and all (a controversial decision at the time). A small stylized eagle is also present to the right of the bell...solely because the law had required the presence of an eagle on every half dollar since 1792. It was not discovered, until the 1960s, that the reverse design was actually 'adapted' from John Fredrick Lewis' original sketch of the 1926 Sesquicentennial Commemorative Half Dollar.
General Rule of Thumb
When buying American Silver Bullion coins, 15% less Spot Price to Spot Price is your Target Purchase Price.
FIVE Franklin SILVER Halves, dated 1963 and Earlier
$31.01 Time Left: 24m |
| 1962 D AU Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin
$12.60 
Time Left: 1h 17m |
| 1954 D BU Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin
$15.67
Time Left: 1h 17m |
| 1949 P FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR
$9.95 Time Left: 1h 24m |
| 1958-D FRANKLIN NGC MS65 *958 SHIFTED DIE* TONED
$13.44 Time Left: 1h 30m |
| 1957-D FRANKLIN NGC MS65 *RPM D D UNATTRIBUTED* TONED
$13.94 Time Left: 1h 33m |
| MS 1950 FRANKLIN CLASHED OBVERSE BEAUTIFUL BELL LINES
$21.68 Time Left: 1h 35m |
| MS 1948 FRANKLIN DDR CHERRYPICKER NFBL A MUST HAVE
$22.50 Time Left: 1h 38m |
| 1961-D Double D, Franklin Half Dollar, Extra Fine
$7.99 Time Left: 2h 7m |
| 1962 Franklin Half PCGS Graded MS64
$19.10 Time Left: 2h 16m |
| 1961GEM FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER PROOF
$14.95
Time Left: 2h 21m |
| 1961FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER PROOF
$17.95
Time Left: 2h 27m |
| 1961 FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER PROOF
$17.95
Time Left: 2h 28m |
| 1962 PROOF FRANKLIN PCI PR69 SILVER HALF DOLLAR
$24.99 Time Left: 2h 34m |
| 1951 Franklin Silver Half Dollar ANACS MS63 FBL
$32.50
Time Left: 2h 34m |
| TWO FRANKLIN 1963 HALF DOLLARS
$10.76 Time Left: 2h 38m |
| Silver Franklin US Half Dollars
$117.50 Time Left: 2h 46m |
| 1950-1963 CAMEO Franklin Half Dollar Proof Set 14 Pcs
$2,495.00
Time Left: 2h 49m |
| 1954-D Franklin Half Dollar ~Collectible Silver Coin~!!
$5.56 Time Left: 3h 3m |
| 1950 "D" FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR
$2.77 Time Left: 3h 8m |
| 1949 D FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR MS65 Full Bell Lines PCGS
$499.00 Time Left: 3h 20m |
| 1960 Neon Rainbow Toned Franklin Half Proof Unc
$9.99 Time Left: 3h 28m |
| BEAUTIFUL HALF DOLLAR SIZE COMMEMORATIVES SET OF 8- UNC
$125.00
Time Left: 3h 34m |
| 1954-BEN FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR; BU
$6.02 Time Left: 3h 38m |
| Franklin Silver Half Dollars 50D, 51P, D &S
$24.00 Time Left: 3h 40m |
| Franklin Silver Half Dollars 52D, 59P, 60P, 61D.
$24.00 Time Left: 3h 44m |
| FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR 1950 GEM B.U M.S+++
$31.95
Time Left: 3h 45m |
| 1948 P Franklin Half - AU Silver
$14.95 Time Left: 3h 56m |
| 1950 Franklin Half - AU Silver
$21.95 Time Left: 3h 58m |
| 1963 P Franklin Halves UNC Bank Roll of 20 Coins $10
$200.00
Time Left: 3h 58m |
The History of the Franklin Half Dollar
(1948-1963)
The Franklin Half Dollar was designed by John R. Sinnock. His initials 'JS' appear on the obverse, at the truncation of the shoulder. Sinnock had also designed the Roosevelt Dime which went into production two years earlier. It was rumored, by an ignorant and paranoid post-war public, that the 'JS' was placed these coins to show allegiance to Joseph Stalin. Although this is completely false, it can be noted that the next coin Sinnock designed bore his full initials JAS. (Stalin's middle name is Vissarionovich!)
The Franklin Half Dollar was composed of 90% Silver and 10% Copper. Since pure silver is very soft, copper was added to all circulating silver coins to harden them and prevent excessive wear. These 90% Silver Half Dollars had a weight of 12.50 grams, a diameter of 30.6 mm, a reeded edge. The edges of most silver coins were reeded to make evident any attempt to shave silver off the coin.
The Franklin Half Dollar was struck in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The mint mark is located on the reverse just above the bell's yoke.
AVERAGE CIRCULATED: A typical circulated coin from the period. All major features are easily identifiable. Date and mint mark are clear and readable.
BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED (BU): A strictly uncirculated coin with attractive mint luster but noticeable detracting contact marks or minor blemishes.
D (Denver): The 'D' mint mark is located on the reverse just above the bell's yoke.
S (San Francisco): The 'S' mint mark is located on the reverse just above the bell's yoke.
Note: Franklin Half Dollars struck in Philadelphia bear no mint mark.
General Rule of Thumb
When buying American Silver Bullion coins, 15% less Spot Price to Spot Price is your Target Purchase Price.
![[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]](http://www.kitconet.com/charts/metals/silver/t24_ag_en_usoz_2.gif)
