Franklin Half Dollar Coins

Approximately 510 million Franklin halves were minted during the period 1948 to 1963. Coins without a mint mark were minted in Philadelphia, whereas those with a "D" were minted in Denver and with an "S" in San Francisco. The min tmark 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.

Sinnock's initials inadvertently reflected the tensions of the times. Sinnock had also designed the Roosevelt dime, released two years earlier, placing his initials "JS" on the obverse. In the tense climate of the Cold War, a rumor spread that these initials stood for Joseph Stalin, placed there by a Soviet agent in the mint.Perhaps to avoid further controversy, Sinnock used his full initials "JRS" on the half. (Stalin's middle name was Vissarionovich.)

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 September 2007, common date circulated 90% silver coins are valued at 9-10 times face value}. Well-struck uncirculated pieces showing full bell lines in the Liberty Bell design on the coin's reverse command a substantial premium.

The one notable error in the series of the Franklin half dollar 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.

The key date coins for the Franklin silver half dollar coin series according to the number of coins minted for that year are the 1948 P Franklin half with a mintage of 3,006,814 coins, the 1953 P Franklin half with a mintage of 2,668,120 coins and the 1955 P Franklin half with a mintage of 2,498,181 coins. Remember that just because a coin has a low mintage, it does not make it the most valuable coin in that series. In the world of coin collecting condition is everything. Many coins with higher mintages are often very scarce in high condition grades.

The day to day market price of silver affects the value of common date silver half dollar coins. Spot price of silver listed is based on the previous business day market close.

Spot Price of Silver as of 05/30/2012
$28.07 per ounce

Information provided by: Silver Dollar Coin Sale

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