Franklin Half Dollar, 90% Silver Coin
Coin/Bullion · United States Mint (Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco mints); designed by John R. Sinnock and completed by Gilmore David.
Pattern: Franklin Half Dollar Series (1948–1963)
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
United States Mint (Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco mints); designed by John R. Sinnock and completed by Gilmore David.
Material
90% Silver and 10% Copper; contains 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver.
Dimensions
Diameter: 30.6 mm (1.205 inches); Weight: 12.5 grams (0.4019 troy oz); Thickness: 1.8 mm.
Description
The Franklin Half Dollar is a classic piece of American silver coinage, notable for being the first regular-issue US coin to feature a historical figure (Benjamin Franklin) who was not a President. The reverse, shown in the image, depicts a highly detailed Liberty Bell and a tiny eagle, which was required by law to appear on half-dollar coins.
Key Features
Liberty Bell reverse motif; Benjamin Franklin obverse (implied); 90% silver composition; reed edge; distinctive 'crack' in the bell design.
Material & Composition
90% Silver and 10% Copper; contains 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Business strike with a matte lustrous finish. The reverse features the Liberty Bell with a crack detail, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, a small eagle, and inscriptions 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'HALF DOLLAR'.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The mint mark (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) is located above the Liberty Bell yoke on the reverse; if no mark is present, it was struck at Philadelphia. The designer's initials 'JRS' are on the obverse truncation.
Construction Details
Die-struck at a US Mint facility on a standard silver planchet with a reeded edge.
Functional Features
Reeded edge to prevent clipping/shaving of the silver; legal tender currency (though now valued primarily for silver content or numismatic worth).
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable (coinage).
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial die-striking; includes intricate details in the bell's cracks and the feathers of the tiny eagle, though striking quality can vary between mint years.
Authentication Indicators
Weight, diameter, and reeding consistency; correct font for inscriptions; specific visual details of the Liberty Bell yoke and bell crack that are difficult to counterfeit accurately in non-precious metals.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America; struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco Mint locations.
Era & Period
Modern American Numismatic era (Post-WWII / Cold War period).
Age Estimate
Produced between 1948 and 1963.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of American history and the values of Benjamin Franklin; marks the end of the US Mint's tradition of using 'Walking Liberty' and other allegorical figures in favor of historical portraits.
Condition Notes
The image shows a circulated specimen with visible wear on the high points of the Liberty Bell. Tarnish is light; surfaces show typical 'pocket wear'. Overall grade: Very Good to Fine (VG-F).
Value Estimate
$10 to $15 based on silver 'melt' value, with higher prices for uncirculated (MS) grades or rare dates like the 1949-S or 1955.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish with abrasives as this destroys numismatic value; store in PVC-free flips, tubes, or acid-free paper to prevent environmental damage.
Similar Pieces
Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916–1947), Kennedy Half Dollar (1964 90% Silver version), 1965–1970 Kennedy Half Dollar (40% silver clad).
Interesting Facts
The design was criticized by the Commission of Fine Arts because the crack in the bell was thought to invite ridicule, and the tiny eagle was added only to meet the legal requirement that all silver coins larger than a dime feature an eagle.