Franklin Half Dollar

1963 was the final year for the Franklin Half. Even though the series had not reached the legally mandated 25 year duration, the series was replaced by the Kennedy Half after new legislation was passed. Approximately 510 million Franklin halves were minted during the period 1948 to 1963. The coin features Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse.

Mintmark

Coins without a mintmark were minted in Philadelphia, whereas those with a “D” were minted in Denver and with an “S” in San Francisco. The mintmark on specimens having one is visible on the reverse side centered above the bell yoke. Engraver John R. Sinnock’s initials appear at Franklin’s shoulder on the obverse.

The Franklin Half replaced the Walking Liberty Half design. It also marked completion of the conversion of circulating US coin designs from the allegorical Liberty figure to portraits of historical Americans. The format was already being used on the Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, and Washington Quarter.

Like the other coins of its era, the Franklin Half had a composition of 90% silver. The balance of the composition was copper. Coins were produced for circulation from 1948 to 1963. Proof coins were produced from 1950 to 1963. Large quantities of the Franklin half dollar were melted as silver bullion shortly after 1964, when the intrinsic value exceeded the face value of U.S. silver coinage. Despite these losses, Franklin halves in gently circulated condition remain quite affordable even today, and the more common dates do not command more than a 25 percent premium over bullion. As of this notation in October 2009, common date circulated 90% silver coins are valued at 6-10 times face value. Well-struck uncirculated pieces showing full bell lines in the Liberty Bell design on the coin’s reverse command a considerable windfall.

One prominent error in the Franklin half dollar series is the “Bugs Bunny” error, so called because damage to the coin’s obverse die resulted in a split in Franklin’s upper lip, giving the appearance of prominent front teeth. The damage to the die resulted from the obverse and reverse dies striking each other without a coin planchet in between. The error is found in 1955 coins minted in Philadelphia. There is also a 1961-P Proof doubled die.

Coin Collection, PCGS, NGC, GOLD, SILVER, RARE (GOOD DEAL) NR US $4,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 4:01:55 PST

1954 50C Silver Franklin Half-dollar MS 63 FBL PCGS US $47.50 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 5:42:20 PST

1954 50C Silver Franklin Half-dollar MS 63 FBL PCGS US $47.50 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 5:48:24 PST

1954-D FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR SILVER U.S. COIN A6215 US $47.77 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 6:32:56 PST

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Unbiased Review of 1954 Franklin Half Dollar