- The Franklin half dollar is one of America’s most prominent coins that features one of America’s greatest leaders, Benjamin Franklin!
- Franklin Half Dollars value tends to range from $20 to $80,000 when looking at the proof editions of the coins.
- Over 465 million Franklin half dollars were struck across the Philadelphia Mint, Denver Mint, and San Francisco Mint.
- The major determinants of a Franklin Half Dollar’s worth are based on factors as the proof-finish, the coin conditions, and the mintage numbers.
Franklin Half Dollar Value: A Detailed Guide
By BullionMentor on January 7, 2025
Knowledge is the one investment that never depreciates; it multiplies its value every time you use it to create a better path forward
Benjamin Franklin
Along with such eye opening wisdom, Franklin was also among the founding father of the United States of America. The Franklin half dollar, struck in 1948, saw a new era in America’s coinage and was unique for featuring one of the country’s greatest personalities. He was the first non-president to feature on a US Coin in circulation! Benjamin Franklin’s profile was featured on the obverse while the Liberty Bell on the reverse.
Let’s take a look at what determines the Franklin half dollar value, which is a classic choice for coin collectors to add to their collection.
Key Takeaways
History of the Franklin Half Dollar
The US Mint’s first female director, Nellie Tayloe Ross, proposed the idea of featuring Benjamin Franklin on a US coin. She had admired Benjamin Franklin for his notable contributions to America and his role as one of the Founding Fathers. She felt that with his face on an American coin, his legacy would be celebrated timelessly, regardless of his effigy being included on the $100 bill in 1914.
The first chance occurred in 1940 when the Walking Liberty half dollar and Mercury dime were to be redesigned, but the onset of World War II delayed the project. In 1946, Congress took a decision to feature President Franklin D.Roosevelt on the iconic dime instead.
However, in 1948, Ross and other US Mint officials were given the go-ahead to feature Franklin’s image on the half dollar. This led to the creation of a new coin that celebrated one of America’s most monumental figures.
How Much is Franklin Dollar Worth?
Franklin Half Dollars are made of 90% silver; however, their value goes beyond their metal content. Uncirculated coins are priced from $20 to $70,000, depending on the condition. The rarer Proof editions that are created with intricate details have fetched up to $80,000 at auctions for the coin.
What a Franklin half-dollar is worth in lower grades?
While the proofs and gem versions fetch the highest prices, the lower-grade coins tend to be valued at around $12. This is because of the silver content in the 50-cent coins!
Factors Affecting Franklin Half Dollar Values
Here are some of the factors that can influence your Franklin half dollar value -
1
Proof-finished coins
These coins are the most valuable of the series but are difficult to verify without a certificate of authenticity. When looking to identify whether a coin is a proof coin or not, you should look at the designs and whether they have a deep cameo effect.
2
Coin’s conditions
Coins that haven’t been handled much or have visible wear are highly valuable. You should check for crisp details that have clear designs and almost no signs of wear.
3
Low mintage numbers
Franklin half dollars struck in 1948, 1949, 1955, and 1956 had relatively lower mintage numbers as compared to the numbers of other years. Additionally, the 1953-S and the 1954-S of the San Francisco mint had low numbers, too.
Identifying Mints and Mintmarks on Franklin Half Dollars
There were over 465 million coins struck by the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints of the Franklin half dollars, with each mint having their own distinct identification marks like -
1
San Francisco Mint - “S” Mintmark:
The US mint began minting the Franklin half dollars from 1949-1955, with over 32 million coins struck, which is the lowest of the three mints that the Franklin Half Dollar was struck in. The coins bearing the “S” mintmark are quite rare, with the ones found in great condition fetching great prices.
2
Denver Mint - “D” Mintmark:
The Denver Mint struck around 295 million coins of the series, which is the highest number of Franklin half dollars minted at a single mint despite the mint ceasing production of the coin in 1955 and 1956.. The “D” mintmark can be seen engraved above the Liberty Bell. The 1949-D edition is one of the most sought-after pieces struck at the mint
3
Philadelphia Mint - No Mintmark:
The Philadelphia Mint struck around 138 million Franklin half dollars with around 16 million proof coins. These coins were sold in complete sets and never got circulated. They have no mintmark, which is a staple feature of the mint, and are easily available so that you can add it to your portfolio.
Most Valuable Franklin Half-Dollar Coins
Ever wondered what your Franklin half dollar value could be? Well, before you assess that, let’s take a look at some of the most valuable Franklin half dollar coins ever-
1
1961 Proof DDR Franklin Half Dollar
The 1961 Proof DDR Franklin half dollar is valued highly as it has a "doubled die reverse" error, which means that the coin's reverse was struck twice, thus creating a doubled image. The coin is considered valuable not just for the error but also because of its condition, graded PR 68 (a near-perfect coin). Here are some overall stats of the coin with the DDR error:
- Year: 1961
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Error: Doubled Die Reverse (DDR)
- Grade: PR 68
- Sale Price: $14,400 (sold in 2020)
2
1963 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The 1963 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar is another highly desired Franklin Half Dollar as it features a "Full Bell Line" (FBL). The bell’s lines on the reverse are fully struck and sharp, considered a quality standard for the coin. A coin of this type, graded MS 66+, sold for over a whopping $85,000.
- Year: 1963
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 66+ FBL
- Sale Price: $85,188 (sold in 2019)
3
1953-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
This 1953-S coin, made in San Francisco, signifies that the Liberty Bell on the reverse is struck clearly and does not have any smudging. The San Francisco Mint produced a smaller number of the series as compared to the other mints, which adds to their rarity. In top condition, a coin of this type sold for $69,000.
- Year: 1953
- Mint Mark: San Francisco ("S")
- Grade: MS 66 FBL
- Sale Price: $69,000 (sold in 2001)
4
1958 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The 1958 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar is valued greatly because of its high grade. Even though Benjamin Franklin was never a U.S. President, his image was used on this coin to highlight in role in America’s development through the years. Its perfect condition and historical design made it fetch over $129,000 when it was sold in 2018.
- Year: 1958
- Mint Mark: San Francisco ("S")
- Grade: MS 67+ FBL
- Sale Price: $129,250 (sold in 2018)
5
1949-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The 1949-S coin is highly valued as it was minted in San Francisco, where fewer coins were struck than other mints. The 1949-S is known for featuring the Liberty Bell with a visible crack, which is a historical feature that was kept on the coin for accuracy.
The crack, a part of the original Liberty Bell, appears on the back of the coin and adds to its uniqueness. There was a controversy about whether the crack should be shown or not, but it was kept to reflect the true appearance of the bell. A coin of excellent condition from this particular type sold for nearly $32,000 in 2018.
- Year: 1949
- Mint Mark: San Francisco ("S")
- Grade: MS 67+ FBL
- Sale Price: $31,725 (sold in 2018)
If you are more fascinated by the half dollar, dive into this intriguing story of what could your Franklin half dollar value be in this video!
Final Words
The Franklin Half Dollar represents American craftsmanship at its finest and features one of the country’s prominent leaders, Benjamin Franklin. Its brilliant designs and limited mintage make it a highly desired collectible for numismatists. Whether you're an experienced collector or just starting your journey, the Franklin Half Dollar value is exponential as an addition to any portfolio.
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