10 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollars

This series was minted from 1948 to 1963. How much is a Benjamin Franklin half dollar worth? Many of these coins remain affordable, but some rare variations may cost more. That is why it is important to understand your silver Franklin Half Dollar value.

Today, we are going to explore the Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar collection 1948 to 1963 value and find out the top 10 most valuable coins out of it. Moreover, you will know what Coin ID Scanner is.

Disclaimer: Coin values in this Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar value chart may fluctuate based on condition, demand, and silver prices. Always consult a numismatic expert or use a reliable tool to verify your coin’s value.

Franklin Half Dollar History

This half dollar was created in 1948 to honor Benjamin Franklin. The coin replaced the Walking Liberty Half Dollar and was in production until 1963.

After World War II, the Director of the United States Mint, Nellie Tayloe Ross, supported the idea of placing Franklin on a circulating coin. He had never appeared on regular U.S. coinage before, despite his role in American history.

The first Franklin half dollars were struck in 1948 at three mints:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark)

• Denver (D)

• San Francisco (S)

How much silver is in a Franklin half dollar? These coins were made from 90% Ag and 10% Cu.

“Nearly 900,000 Franklin halves have been certified by NGC and PCGS combined. Almost all of these coins are in uncirculated condition and CoinWeek estimates that at least another million uncertified uncirculated Franklin Half Dollars are held in coin collections throughout the country.”
— Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker, authors
CoinWeek Notes

Key date Franklin half dollars are:

• 1948: first year of issue

• 1955: lowest mintage in the series

• 1963: final year before the design changed

The series ended after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. Congress quickly approved a new design with him. 

Franklin Half Dollar Design

The design was created by John R. Sinnock. He was the chief engraver of the United States Mint. 

Obverse Design

Here you can see a right-facing portrait of Benjamin and:

• LIBERTY along the upper rim

• IN GOD WE TRUST positioned below the portrait

• The date at the bottom of the coin

• The designer’s initials JRS near the bust

The portrait is relatively simple compared with earlier U.S. coins.

Reverse Design

There is the Liberty Bell. It is a symbol of American independence. Moreover, you will find:

• The Liberty Bell in the center

• A small eagle to the right of the bell

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the rim

• The denomination at the bottom

• The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM above the bell

Strike Quality and “Full Bell Lines”

Collectors often judge Franklin half dollars by the sharpness of the lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell. When these horizontal lines appear complete and well defined, the coin may qualify for the Full Bell Lines (FBL) designation.

Coins with full bell lines are usually considered better struck and often command higher premiums in higher grades just like Franklin half dollar key dates.

Which design was before? The 1943 Half Dollar article will tell you. 

Top 10 Most Valuable Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar Value

1. 1963 Full Bell Line – $85,188

The 1963 Franklin Half Dollar value is higher when found with FBL. 1963 was the final year of the series, as you have already known.

That is why it is rather popular in numismatics. Many collectors want to complete their sets with a high-grade specimen from this year. This, in turn, increases demand and 1963 Ben Franklin half dollar value sums.

• Minted in Philadelphia, this coin lacks a mintmark.

• Full Bell Line (FBL) status increases its value.

• High-grade examples are rare.

2. 1958 Full Bell Line – $129,250

The 1958 Franklin Half Dollar value is one of the highest in the series due to its strike quality. This year is well known for the scarcity of FBL specimens. So, this coin is a great investment.

The late 1950s had high production for this coin series, but 1958 is special because of the difficulty in finding well-struck examples. 

• No mintmark.

• Full Bell Line (FBL) designation makes it collectible.

• High-grade specimens are rare, with very few achieving MS 67+ FBL status.

3. 1953-S Full Bell Line – $69,000

The 1953 Franklin Half Dollar value is high when found with Full Bell Lines. The San Francisco Mint coins from this year are rather difficult to find in high grades.

The San Francisco Mint (S) coins from 1953 were produced in relatively low numbers, and the quality was often subpar. This makes well-preserved examples with Full Bell Lines valuable.

• San Francisco Mint (S) mintmark.

• Low mintage compared to other years.

• Fewer well-struck specimens exist.

4. 1961 Proof DDR – $14,400

The 1961 Franklin Half Dollar value is dependent on proof errors which are desirable to many collectors.

Proof coins were struck with extra care for numismatists, but occasional die misalignments led to errors, e.g., the Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) variety in 1961.

• No mintmark, indicating Philadelphia Mint.

• Proof coin with a Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) error.

• Deep cameo contrast enhances its desirability.

5. 1955 Full Bell Line – $14,100

The 1955 Franklin Half Dollar value remains high due to the famous Bugs Bunny variety.

The 1955 specimen is known for its die clash error, where the portrait appears to have buck teeth. This is the reason why it earned the nickname Bugs Bunny. 

• No mintmark, indicating Philadelphia Mint.

• Full Bell Line (FBL) status increases value.

• Bugs Bunny error variety.

6. 1952 Full Bell Line – $42,300

The 1952 Franklin Half Dollar value is high in well-preserved specimens with Full Bell Lines. Coins from 1952 were well-circulated, and finding a high-grade FBL example is difficult. So, many collectors want to have one.

• No mintmark, minted in Philadelphia.

• Full Bell Line specimens cost more.

7. 1951-S Full Bell Line – $30,550

The 1951 Franklin Half Dollar value is high due to the difficulty in finding well-struck San Francisco Mint examples. These strikes often had weaker details. This makes an FBL example from this year very valuable.

• San Francisco Mint (S) mintmark.

• High-quality strikes are rare.

8. 1950 Full Bell Line – $39,600

The 1950 Franklin Half Dollar value is high in top grades, especially with Full Bell Lines. It is one of the earliest years of the series, and well-preserved specimens are harder to find.

• No mintmark.

• A popular date among collectors.

9. 1960 Full Bell Line – $28,200

As the last decade of the series, 1960 coins are of special interest among collectors.

• No mintmark, minted in Philadelphia.

• Full Bell Line examples are valuable.

10. 1962 Full Bell Line – $17,825

The 1962 Franklin Half Dollar value increases in high grades, especially with FBL designation. Moreover, 1962 was the penultimate year for the series, as coins in high grades had strong prices.

• No mintmark, minted in Philadelphia.

• Full Bell Line examples are highly desirable.

Identify and Value Your Coins

Try to start with a 1967 Half Dollar. Download it today and find out the true Ben Franklin Half Dollar silver value!

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