Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar
1948 - 1963
The Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar was the first circulated US coin to feature a real person, who was not a 
president, in the design. The idea for a coin to honor Benjamin Franklin came from Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross. Franklin was very well known and respected not only for his role as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, but also for his talents as a writer, printer, scientist and inventor.
Sinnock died in 1947 before the design was completed. He had not included an eagle in the design, although the Coinage Act of 1873 mandated that an eagle had to appear on all US silver containing coins bigger than the dime. The task of adding the eagle to the reverse was given to Gilroy Roberts.
The Federal Commission of Fine Art disapproved of the eagle’s small size as well as the inclusion of the crack in the Liberty Bell. However, the Treasury Department ignored their complaint and approved Sinnock’s design with Roberts’ eagle.
In total, including proofs, nearly 498 million Franklin Half Dollars were struck during its 16 year series. Because the Franklin Half is relatively common most coins in circulated condition are generally worth very little above the coins silver value. However, higher grade examples, particularly those with “full bell lines” can be more difficult to obtain and can bring a high price. The lowest production for the Franklin Half was in 1953 when less than 2.8 million pieces were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The highest production was in 1963 when more than 67 million coins were struck at the Denver Mint.
The obverse of the Franklin Half Dollar features a bust of Benjamin Franklin facing to the right. The word 
“LIBERTY” appears at the top of the coin and “IN GOD WE TRUST” at the bottom. The date is to the right, just below Franklin’s chin. Sinnock included his initials, “JRS” just below Franklin’s shoulder.
The reverse side of the Franklin Half has the Liberty Bell in the center with the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on the left and an eagle on the right. The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” are at the top and “HALF DOLLAR” is at the bottom. The mintmark is placed above the Liberty Bell
Ben Franklin Half Dollar Specifications:
- Minted: 1948 - 1963
- Diameter: 30.6 mm
- Weight: 12.5 g
- Composition: 90% Siver 10% Copper
- Edge: Reeded
- Designer: John Sinnock & Gilroy Roberts