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.
1951 S Fine Franklin Silver Half Dollar US Coin
$11.83 
Time Left: 16m |
| United States 1963 Franklin Half Dollar T-1 FINAL ISSUE
$23.06
Time Left: 17m |
| 1959 PCGS MS65 FRANKLIN 50c
$115.00
Time Left: 18m |
| 1960 D UNCIRCULATED FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR, VERY NICE
$9.99 Time Left: 19m |
| C-USA 1949 Franklin Half MS
$35.00
Time Left: 20m |
| 20 U.S. Franklin Half Dollar Coins 1948 - 1963-D Unc
$218.60 Time Left: 21m |
| 1961 Franklin Half Dollar - Choice Proof US Coin
$16.00
Time Left: 21m |
| 20 U.S. 1962 Franklin Half Dollar Coins BU - Gem BU
$175.00 Time Left: 22m |
| 20 U.S. 1957 Franklin Half Dollar Coins BU - Gem BU
$175.00 Time Left: 22m |
| 1954-D PCGS MS64FBL SILVER FRANKLIN HALF!
$54.50
Time Left: 23m |
| 1954 Silver NGC PF66 Half Benjamin Franklin
$97.00
Time Left: 23m |
| 1951-S PCGS MS6S FRANKLIN 50c--VERY PRETTY
$150.00
Time Left: 23m |
| 1963 Franklin Half Dollar Proof Coin Mirror Like Image
$10.00 Time Left: 26m |
| 1951 and 1963d Franklin half dollars with new book
$10.50 Time Left: 30m |
| Gorgeous PCGS MS 65 1954-S Franklin Half From Estate
$33.00 Time Left: 31m |
| 1963 Franklin Half Dollar - Choice Proof US Coin
$18.00
Time Left: 34m |
| 1955 FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR BU CONDITION PROOFLIKE
$19.05 Time Left: 36m |
| 1959 FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR GEM-PROOF SHINNY-WOW
$17.28 Time Left: 41m |
| 1954 FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR, VERY NICE COIN
$9.99 Time Left: 41m |
| 1963 Franklin Half Dollar XF
$2.80 Time Left: 42m |
| 1948 Franklin Half NICE BELL LINES MS BU UNC E4
$24.99 Time Left: 43m |
| 1953 Franklin Half Very nice coin MS BU UNC E4
$28.10 Time Left: 43m |
| 1962 FRANKLIN SILVER HALF DOLLAR (CAMEO-PROOF) SHINNY *
$15.24 Time Left: 44m |
| 1955 Franklin Half Dollar Nice high Grade XF or better
$9.55 Time Left: 44m |
| 1955 Franklin Half Very nice coin BUMS UNC V3
$29.99 Time Left: 44m |
| 1951 S Franklin Half Dollar AU
$11.50
Time Left: 46m |
| 1963-D FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR BU CONDITION AWESOME
$6.50 Time Left: 46m |
| 1961 Franklin Half NGC PF69 CAMEO
$1,776.69
Time Left: 47m |
| 1986 S Liberty Half Dollar! - NGC !Graded PF *U*C* 68*
$30.00 Time Left: 48m |
| 1963-P FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR ROLL*BU*BEAUTIFUL-PROOFLIKE
$165.00 Time Left: 49m |
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.
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