Franklin Half Dollar
1948–1963 • 90% Silver • Full Bell Lines • Key Dates & Varieties
Benjamin Franklin in Silver — America's Mid-Century Half Dollar
History, Design & Why Collectors Still Pursue the Series
The Franklin Half Dollar, minted from 1948 to 1963, replaced the beloved Walking Liberty design and honored one of America's most consequential Founding Fathers. Designed by Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock — whose JRS initials appear on the obverse truncation — the coin features Franklin's portrait derived from Jean-Antoine Houdon's famous bust, with the Liberty Bell on the reverse. A small eagle appears at lower right, added to satisfy a legal requirement that the reverse of half dollars bear an eagle. The result is a clean, classically composed coin that has only grown in collector appeal over the decades since its discontinuation.
The series ran for just 15 years before the Kennedy half dollar replaced it in 1964, following President Kennedy's assassination. That short production window, combined with the coin's 90% silver composition and the challenge of finding well-struck, high-grade examples, has made the Franklin half dollar a cornerstone of mid-20th century U.S. coin collecting. Every Franklin contains 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver — providing a meaningful metal floor — while the numismatic premiums on Full Bell Lines examples and key dates can reach multiples of that base value.
Franklin Half Dollar Key Dates & Values
Standard & Full Bell Lines Prices by Date
| Date & Mint | Mintage | VF-20 | MS-63 | MS-65 FBL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 (P) — First Year | 3,006,814 | $14 | $55 | $2,500+ |
| 1948-D | 4,028,600 | $14 | $45 | $750+ |
| 1949 (P) | 5,614,000 | $14 | $60 | $4,000+ |
| 1949-S — Key Date | 3,744,000 | $18 | $100 | $6,500+ |
| 1950 (P) | 7,742,123 | $14 | $45 | $1,200+ |
| 1953 (P) — Low Mintage | 2,796,920 | $14 | $50 | $5,000+ |
| 1955 (P) — Scarcest Date | 2,498,181 | $20 | $80 | $8,000+ |
| 1955 Bugs Bunny Variety | Subset | $50 | $200 | $3,000+ |
| 1963 (P) — Last Year | 22,164,000 | $14 | $35 | $400+ |
| Common Date (avg) | Various | $13 | $30 | $200–$800 |
Franklin Half Dollar Collecting Categories
What Collectors Pursue in This Series
Full Bell Lines
FBL designation requires complete, unbroken horizontal lines across the bottom of the Liberty Bell. The single most important quality factor in the series.
Key Dates
1949-S, 1953-P, and 1955-P are the series' premier key dates. Low mintages and poor strike quality make high-grade FBL examples genuinely scarce.
Bugs Bunny Variety
The 1955 and 1956 die clash varieties create "buck teeth" on Franklin's portrait. Popular and immediately recognizable — a standout variety in any collection.
Proof Issues
Proof Franklins from 1950–1963 are struck to mirror quality. Deep cameo proofs are the most prized — and the most difficult to find in the series.
90% Silver
Every Franklin contains 0.3617 oz pure silver. Common dates at melt value make excellent entry points for silver accumulators and beginning collectors alike.
High-Grade Gems
MS-65 FBL Franklins are genuinely difficult — the series is famous for weak strikes. Registry set collecting drives strong premiums on top-pop examples.
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Full Bell Lines — The Most Important Factor in Franklin Values
Why FBL Designation Can Multiply a Coin's Value Ten Times Over
No single factor affects Franklin half dollar values more than the Full Bell Lines designation. The Liberty Bell on the reverse has two sets of horizontal lines near the bottom — and on well-struck coins, these lines are sharp, complete, and unbroken from edge to edge. PCGS and NGC award the "Full Bell Lines" (FBL) designation only to coins meeting this standard, and the price premium is dramatic: a common-date Franklin in MS-65 without FBL might bring $30–$50, while the same date in MS-65 FBL can bring $200–$8,000+ depending on the year.
The challenge is that the Franklin half dollar was notoriously poorly struck throughout the series. The design required extremely high striking pressure to bring up the bell lines fully, and most production coins show some degree of weakness in this area. Philadelphia issues are generally better struck than Denver issues. The 1955-P, despite being the scarcest regular-issue Franklin by mintage, is particularly challenging in FBL — a genuinely well-struck 1955 FBL in gem condition is a major numismatic achievement.
The 1955 Bugs Bunny Franklin — America's Most Famous Half Dollar Variety
Die Clash, Buck Teeth & Why Collectors Love This Error
The 1955 Bugs Bunny Franklin is one of the most beloved die variety coins in American numismatics. The variety results from a die clash — when obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, leaving impressions of each die on the other. On the 1955 Bugs Bunny, the clash left raised lines across Franklin's upper lip that resemble buck teeth, earning the instantly recognizable nickname. A similar die clash variety exists on the 1956 Franklin.
The 1955 Bugs Bunny commands a significant premium over non-variety 1955 Franklins in all grades — $50+ in circulated condition, $200+ in MS-63, and $3,000+ in MS-65 FBL. The combination of the scarcest Franklin date with the most famous Franklin variety makes the 1955 Bugs Bunny FBL one of the most actively traded Franklin half dollar coins in any year. It's accessible enough in lower grades to be within reach of most collectors while providing a genuine challenge in gem condition.
Collecting the Franklin Half Dollar
Where to Start & What to Focus On
The Franklin half dollar is an excellent series for intermediate collectors who want a completable silver set at a reasonable budget. A full date-and-mint set of circulated Franklins — all 35 date-and-mint combinations — can be assembled for a few hundred dollars with patience. The challenge accelerates dramatically when seeking uncirculated examples with Full Bell Lines, where the 1948-P, 1949-S, 1953-P, and 1955-P become genuinely difficult and expensive.
Begin with a Dansco or Whitman Franklin half dollar album for the visual satisfaction of a complete set taking shape. Focus condition discipline from the start: a fully struck MS-63 FBL with good luster is almost always a better long-term purchase than a flatly struck MS-65 without FBL. PCGS and NGC population reports reveal which dates are truly scarce in FBL grades versus which are simply underrepresented on the market. Check current certified values before any significant purchase.
Shop Franklin Half Dollars on eBay
Browse certified FBL examples, key dates, Bugs Bunny varieties, proof issues, and affordable silver circulated examples from specialist dealers nationwide.
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Where to Buy Franklin Half Dollars
Trusted Sources for FBL Examples, Key Dates & Silver Issues
eBay
The largest market for Franklin halves. Search "Franklin half FBL PCGS" or "Franklin half NGC" to find certified examples with verified grades.
Browse eBay →JM Bullion
Carries 90% silver Franklin half dollars at competitive premiums over spot. Excellent for common-date silver accumulation alongside key date hunting.
Shop JM Bullion →Kitco
Live silver spot pricing — use it to calculate the 90% silver melt value (0.3617 oz per coin) of Franklin halves before buying or selling in bulk.
Check Silver Price →Money Metals Exchange
Buy 90% junk silver Franklin halves in rolls or bags at transparent premiums over spot — ideal for silver accumulation with numismatic upside.
Shop Money Metals →Amazon
Dansco and Whitman Franklin half dollar albums, the Red Book, and storage supplies for building and protecting your collection.
Shop Amazon →FRC Coin Price Guide
Check certified values for all Franklin half dollar dates and FBL designations — essential reference before buying or selling any key date.
Check Values →Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Franklin half dollar worth?
Most circulated Franklin half dollars are worth $13–$18 — slightly above their 90% silver melt value of approximately $10–$11 at current silver prices. Uncirculated common dates bring $25–$60. The real premiums are in Full Bell Lines (FBL) designated examples: an MS-65 FBL can be worth $200–$8,000+ depending on date. Key dates like the 1949-S, 1953-P, and 1955-P command multiples of common dates even in circulated grades. Check current certified values for specific dates.
What is Full Bell Lines (FBL) on a Franklin half dollar?
Full Bell Lines refers to the complete, unbroken horizontal lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell on the reverse. PCGS and NGC award the FBL designation only to coins where these lines are sharp and fully separated from edge to edge — indicating a well-struck example. Because the Franklin series is known for weak strikes, FBL coins are genuinely scarce on most dates and command dramatic premiums over non-FBL examples at the same grade level. For serious Franklin collecting, FBL is the most important single factor after grade.
What is the rarest Franklin half dollar?
By mintage, the 1955-P is the rarest regular-issue Franklin half dollar at just 2,498,181 — the only Franklin date with a mintage under 3 million. It's also the most challenging date in Full Bell Lines, making high-grade FBL examples extremely scarce. The 1953-P (2,796,920 mintage) and 1949-S are the other top key dates. Among proof issues, the early 1950–1955 proofs are scarcer than later dates due to lower mintages and fewer deep cameo examples surviving.
What is the Bugs Bunny Franklin half dollar?
The 1955 Bugs Bunny is a die clash variety where the obverse and reverse dies struck each other, leaving raised lines on Franklin's upper lip that resemble buck teeth — hence the nickname. A similar variety exists on the 1956 Franklin. The 1955 Bugs Bunny commands a strong premium over standard 1955 Franklins in all grades: $50+ circulated, $200+ in MS-63, and $3,000+ in MS-65 FBL. It's one of the most beloved and immediately recognizable varieties in all of U.S. coinage.
Is a Franklin half dollar 90% silver?
Yes — all Franklin half dollars (1948–1963) are struck in 90% silver and 10% copper. Each coin contains 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver, giving it a melt value of approximately $10–$11 at a silver price of $30 per troy ounce. This silver floor means even worn, common-date Franklins have meaningful intrinsic value. Use the FRC Silver Coin Melt Calculator for current melt values based on live spot price.
How do I start collecting Franklin half dollars?
Begin with a Dansco 7166 or Whitman Franklin half dollar album — filling holes with circulated examples is satisfying and teaches the series quickly. Common dates in Fine through Extremely Fine condition are widely available at or near melt value and make excellent starting points. When you're ready to move to uncirculated quality, prioritize strike quality over raw grade: a well-struck MS-63 FBL almost always outperforms a flat MS-65 without FBL in long-term value. For key dates like the 1949-S and 1955-P, buy only PCGS or NGC certified examples.
Guide Book of Franklin, Kennedy Half Dollars - Features hundreds of full-color photographs plus new research on 1964 Specimen Kennedy halves, Tomaska Signature Series, and other discoveries.
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