Franklin half dollar values present an interesting paradox: while this series lasted only 16 years—the shortest-lived regular half dollar design of the 20th century—it offers values ranging from about $22 for common dates in circulated condition to over $537,000 for the finest known specimens.
Born from Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross’s admiration for Benjamin Franklin, these 90% silver coins were designed by John R. Sinnock, who died before completing his work in 1947. First released on April 30, 1948, amid Cold War controversy over Sinnock’s initials “JRS” being mistaken for Joseph Stalin, the series would produce 465 million coins before abruptly ending in 1963 following President Kennedy’s assassination.
While no regular issue date is truly rare, the quest for Full Bell Lines (FBL) specimens—those showing complete detail on the Liberty Bell’s lower horizontal lines—transforms common dates into valuable rarities, making this accessible series surprisingly complex for collectors seeking perfection.
Franklin Half Dollar Value Chart (1948-1949)
| Year | GOOD | FINE | AU | MS | PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | $12.00 | $12.67 | $19.00 | $47.20 | — |
| 1948-D | $12.00 | $12.00 | $18.00 | $48.20 | — |
| 1949 | $13.00 | $13.00 | $18.50 | $66.80 | — |
| 1949-D | $13.00 | $13.17 | $30.50 | $89.60 | — |
| 1949-S | $14.55 | $16.83 | $38.50 | $237.29 | — |
Franklin Half Dollar Value Chart (1950-1959)
| Year | GOOD | FINE | AU | MS | PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | $13.00 | $13.00 | $18.50 | $66.60 | — |
| 1950-D | $11.64 | $12.17 | $20.00 | $78.60 | — |
| 1950 PR | — | — | $240.00 | — | $864.29 |
| 1951 | $12.00 | $12.00 | $13.50 | $61.17 | — |
| 1951-D | $14.00 | $14.00 | $20.50 | $60.20 | — |
| 1951-S | $14.00 | $14.00 | $18.50 | $59.50 | — |
| 1951 PR | — | — | $170.00 | — | $484.29 |
| 1952 | $14.00 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $58.33 | — |
| 1952-D | $14.00 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $44.00 | — |
| 1952-S | $13.58 | $15.33 | $37.00 | $86.17 | — |
| 1952 PR | — | — | $92.00 | — | $252.86 |
| 1953 | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.50 | $87.50 | — |
| 1953-D | $13.58 | $14.00 | $16.00 | $94.00 | — |
| 1953-S | $13.58 | $14.00 | $17.50 | $66.17 | — |
| 1953 PR | — | — | $50.50 | — | $287.25 |
| 1954 | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $65.83 | — |
| 1954-D | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $31.80 | — |
| 1954-S | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $45.83 | — |
| 1954 PR | — | — | $17.00 | — | $127.12 |
| 1955 | $11.64 | $12.17 | $15.50 | $49.50 | — |
| 1955 PR | — | — | $17.00 | — | $74.00 |
| 1956 | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $35.33 | — |
| 1957 | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $30.50 | — |
| 1957-D | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $37.50 | — |
| 1957 Type 1 | — | — | $19.00 | — | $165.38 |
| 1957 PR | — | — | $12.00 | — | $34.38 |
| 1958 | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $32.50 | — |
| 1958-D | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $37.83 | — |
| 1958 Type 2 | — | — | $13.50 | — | $47.38 |
| 1958 PR | — | — | $10.50 | — | $41.75 |
| 1959 | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $66.00 | — |
| 1959-D | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $29.80 | — |
| 1959 PR | — | — | $11.50 | — | $42.12 |
Franklin Half Dollar Value Chart (1960-1963)
| Year | GOOD | FINE | AU | MS | PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $90.67 | — |
| 1960-D | $13.40 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $35.00 | — |
| 1960 PR | — | — | $9.50 | — | $32.12 |
| 1961 | $6.43 | $12.00 | $12.50 | $26.40 | — |
| 1961-D | $13.58 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $81.17 | — |
| 1961 PR | — | — | $10.50 | — | $28.50 |
| 1961 DDR PR | — | — | — | — | $2510.00 |
| 1962 | $7.50 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $29.20 | — |
| 1962-D | $7.50 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $29.20 | — |
| 1962 PR | — | — | $10.00 | — | $29.75 |
| 1963 | $7.50 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $24.20 | — |
| 1963-D | $7.50 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $25.40 | — |
| 1963 PR | — | — | $11.00 | — | $28.88 |
Summary: Franklin half dollar value
Franklin half dollar values start at approximately $22 based on silver content alone, with most circulated examples trading near melt value. Key dates by mintage include 1948 (3,006,814), 1949-S (3,744,000), 1953 (2,668,120), and 1955 (2,498,181), which command modest premiums even in lower grades.
The true treasures are Full Bell Lines specimens, with the 1953-S FBL standing as the series’ ultimate rarity, commanding five-figure prices in MS64-65 grades. Other valuable varieties include the 1955 “Bugs Bunny” die clash error, where Franklin appears to have buck teeth, and the 1961 Doubled Die Reverse proof worth $3,200+.
Proof coins were struck from 1950-1963 with a total production of 15.8 million pieces. Many Franklin halves were melted during the 1979-1980 silver price spike, making certain dates scarcer than mintage figures suggest.
Despite its abbreviated run, the Franklin half dollar offers collectors an achievable complete set with exciting challenges in pursuing FBL specimens, proving that even modern silver series can reward those who seek perfection over mere completion.
The post Franklin Half Dollar Value (1948-1963) appeared first on CoinValueChecker.
