Franklin Half Dollars

Look Carefully at the Franklin Half Dollar and think of the states in the United States of America. Taking all of the letters on both the obverse (heads) and reverse (tails) sides of the coin, and using them only as often as they are found on the coin (for each state name), how many US states can you spell out? The answer appears a little further down the page.

The value of a coin is based on two factors. The first is how rare the coin is. This is a combination of how many coins were originally minted, and what happened to them. Some are destroyed accidentally. Some have been recalled by the government. Collectors have taken some out of circulation. As a particular type of coin has fewer examples available, it becomes more valuable.

The other factor is the physical condition of a coin. The closer to perfect a specimen is, the more valuable it becomes.

So a rare, perfect coin is much more valuable than a common, worn coin. In fact, a worn rare coin may be more valuable than a perfect common coin.

Here we are going to discuss a coin's condition.

The American Numismatic has developed a grading system to describe the condition of a coin. What I will discuss here is coins that have been minted to go into general circulation, released. The conditions of the coins are represented by names, as well as a combination of letters and numbers. I have summarized some general conditions here, along with some benchmarks.

Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70)
This indicates a coin in perfect, new condition. It shows no trace of handling, wear, or contact with other coins.

Gem Uncirculated (MS-65)
This is an above average uncirculated coin. It may be brilliant, or it may be lightly toned. There are very few contact marks either on either surface of the coin or on the rim.

Choice Uncirculated (MS-63)
This coin has some distracting contact marks and/or blemishes in the prime focal areas of one or both surfaces. The luster of the coin may be impaired.


Uncirculated (MS-60)
This coin has no trace of wear, but it may show several contact marks, and the surface of the coin may lack luster, or even be spotted.


Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55)
There is evidence of friction on the high points of the coin's design, but most of the mint luster remains.

About Uncirculated (AU-50)
This coin shows traces of light wear on many of the high points of the coin. At least half of the original mint luster is still present.


Choice Extremely Fine (EF-45)
The coin exhibits light overall wear on the highest points of the coin. Some of the original mint luster is still evident. All design details are still very clear and sharp.

Extremely Fine (EF-40)
There is light wear throughout the design, but all features of the design are still sharp and well-defined. Although not an essential element to the the definition of this grade, some traces of mint luster may still exist.


Choice Very Fine (VF-30)
Light, even wear on the surface and highest parts throughout the design. All major features of the design, as well as al lettering remain sharp.

Very Fine (VF-20)
While all major details of the design remain clear, there is moderate wear on high points of the coin's design.


Fine (F-12)
There is moderate to considerable even wear. The design remains bold, and the overall appearance of the coin is still pleasing to the eye.


Very Good (VG-8)
The coin is well worn with the main features of the design remaining clear and bold, although they have been worn somewhat flat.


Good (G-4)
This coin is heavily worn. The design is still visible, but many of the details are flat, and the design is faint in some areas.


About Good (AG-3)
This coin is very heavily worn with portions of the lettering, date, and legend have been worn smooth. In many instances, the date is barely readable.

So look at your coin, estimate its condition, then visit the website of the Professional Coin Grading Service and take a look at the PCGS estimate of possible values.

One of the things that will tell you that you have a very nice coin is the presence of "Full Bell Lines" on the Reverse. This is sometimes just referred to as "FBL" when you are looking at auction sites or coin collecting message boards. The lines on the bell are very delicate and they are high enough above the field of the coin that they are one of the first areas to show wear. If these lines are fully present on the coin it is much more highly desired by most collectors of Franklin Half Dollars.

Absolutely! The Franklin Half Dollar, like all "silver" coins of the period are made of a combination of 90% Silver and 10% Copper. A Franklin Half weighs in at 12.5 gr., which means that there is more than 11 gr. of silver in every coin. The price of silver fluctuates daily. That means that the "melt value" of a coin fluctuates. CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT YOUR SILVER COINS ARE WORTH FOR THEIR METAL ALONE."

The names of Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming can all be made using the letters found on the Franklin Half Dollar.

At least that's what Franklin wrote. If you get the chance to visit Philadelphia, stop by the Christ Church Burial Ground and take a look at Benjamin Franklin's grave. You will probably see dozens of coins tossed there by passers-by in tribute to him! Some people say they do it as a tribute to Franklin and his writings as Poor Richard. Some people say it's good luck. Some folks just say it's one of those things that you do when you visit Philadelphia. I wonder what Poor Richard would have thought!