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.
USA Washington-Carver Half Dollar 1952 excellent + FREE COIN - TT1792
$17.16 Time Left: 27m |
| MIXED COIN LOT 90% SILVER 4 HALF DOLLAR 2 QUARTERS 7 DIMES 78.7gram Junk Drawer
$91.00 Time Left: 57m |
| 1963 Silver Franklin Proof Half Dollar Coin CoinHut2878
$28.00 
Time Left: 2h 39m |
| 1956 FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR PHILADELPHIA
$39.00 Time Left: 3h 30m |
| 1961 Proof Franklin Half Dollar 50C Coin - NGC PF66!
$67.00
Time Left: 4h 22m |
| Mixed Lot Of 90% Silver Half Dollars
$71.01 Time Left: 4h 32m |
| 1961 d 1962 1963 franklin halfs the 61 & 63 are cameo 62 VF
$32.51 Time Left: 4h 37m |
| 1951s US FRANKLIN LIBERTY SILVER HALF DOLLAR FINE ANTIQUE COIN NICE!
$14.95 Time Left: 5h 3m |
| 1957 Franklin Half Dollar, Quarter, Dime, Nickle, and Penny From Estate
$17.69 Time Left: 5h 51m |
| 1951-S MS64 FBL Franklin Half Full Bell Lines (BoxAN)
$199.99
Time Left: 6h 8m |
| 1952-D MS65 FBL Franklin Half Full Bell Lines (BoxAN)
$139.99
Time Left: 6h 8m |
| 1950-P MS63 FBL Franklin Half Full Bell Lines (BoxAN)
$59.99
Time Left: 6h 8m |
| 1951-D MS64 FBL Franklin Half Full Bell Lines (BoxAN)
$89.99
Time Left: 6h 8m |
| 1953-P MS64 Franklin Half (BoxAN)
$49.99
Time Left: 6h 8m |
| 1952-D MS64 FBL Franklin Half Full Bell Lines (BoxAN)
$59.99
Time Left: 6h 8m |
| 1948-P MS64 FBL Franklin Half Full Bell Lines (BoxAN)
$69.99
Time Left: 6h 8m |
| 1956 FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR PCGS MS 64 FBL
$42.55 Time Left: 6h 8m |
| 1957 FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR PCGS PR 64
$17.99 Time Left: 6h 14m |
| 1963 FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR PCGS PR 64 CAMEO
$27.00 Time Left: 6h 21m |
| 1959-D PCGS MS65 FULL BELL LINES FRANKLIN HALF SILVER
$200.00
Time Left: 6h 25m |
| 1958 FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR PCGS PR 64
$24.99 Time Left: 6h 25m |
| 1961 Franklin Half Dollar, Quarter, Dime, Nickle, and Penny From Estate
$17.30 Time Left: 6h 30m |
| 1951-S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER U.S. COIN A6114
$27.77
Time Left: 6h 32m |
| 1954 S FRANKLIN UNCIRCULATED CHOICE HALF DOLLAR #H1070
$29.95
Time Left: 6h 33m |
| 1951-S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER U.S. COIN A6115
$27.77
Time Left: 6h 33m |
| 1951-S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER U.S. COIN A6116
$27.77
Time Left: 6h 34m |
| 1951-S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER U.S. COIN A6117
$27.77
Time Left: 6h 36m |
| 1951-S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER U.S. COIN A6141
$27.77
Time Left: 6h 38m |
| 1951-S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER U.S. COIN A6142
$27.77
Time Left: 6h 39m |
| 1951-S FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER U.S. COIN A6143
$27.77
Time Left: 6h 41m |
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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