FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR

If you are looking for a historically significant silver coin, look no further than the Franklin Half Dollar. Reflected by its name, this coin honors Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. At the time of production, some critiqued the design however, the Franklin Half Dollar is highly-sought and appreciated by numismatists today.

FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR HISTORY

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a writer, scientist, inventor, and Founding Father of the United States of America. He’s most famous for his experimentation with electricity beginning in 1746. Most notably, he invented the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove. Talks of featuring him on a coin began with Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross, who’d always praised Franklin. The chief engraver at the time John R. Sinnock had created a medal with Franklin on it, which might have contributed to or sparked Ross’ recommendation. 

If you are looking for a historically significant silver coin, look no further than the Franklin Half Dollar. Reflected by its name, this coin honors Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. At the time of production, some critiqued the design however, the Franklin Half Dollar is highly-sought and appreciated by numismatists today.

The Franklin Half Dollar was first struck by the United States Mint in 1948. In the beginning, only a small amount of Franklin half dollars were produced but in 1957, demand for the coin began to rise as economic conditions improved. As part of the response to increasing demand for coins, the Franklin Half Dollar coins were manufactured in much higher quantities beginning in 1962, which ultimately contributed to the great coin shortage of 1964. Beginning in 1950 the Franklin Half Dollars were struck with a Proof Finish by the Philadelphia branch of the US Mint. Although it was struck until 1963, Franklin Half Dollars minted in the late 1950s were lower in quality due to a deterioration of the master die. The total number of Franklin Half Dollars, including proofs, that were struck comes to just under 498 million. 

FRANKLIN HALF DOLLAR DESIGN

The obverse features the right-facing bust of Benjamin Franklin. Inscriptions include “LIBERTY”, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, and the year of issue. The reverse depicts the liberty bell with a small eagle to its right, satisfying the Coinage Act of 1792 which required that all reverse of silver coins feature an eagle. Reverse inscriptions read: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “HALF DOLLAR”, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM”.

Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963)

Image source: https://www.usacoinbook.com

CONCLUSION

While the Franklin Half Dollar is a relatively affordable option for collectors, many Franklin half dollars have been melted for their silver content making some dates rarer than mintages indicate. The Franklin Half Dollar can still be used as legal tender, however, its value to both collectors and investors surpasses its face value. If you have any questions about the coins available for purchase from Bullion Exchanges you can reach our customer service team through the contact form on our website or by emailing customerservice@bullionexchanges.com.