

Like the 1926 Half Dollar, the coin featured a large Liberty Bell on its reverse side. Sinnock designed the first half dollar in 1948, based on an old statue of Benjamin Franklin. So, she instructed the chief engraver at the mint to create future designs for the Half Dollar. She admired Benjamin Franklin’s style of leadership. Previously, the then-mint director Nellie Tayloe had the Half Dollar in mind. The production of the Franklin Half Dollar was an act of honor to Benjamin Franklin. Coin collectors still crave uncirculated Franklin Half Dollars. Today, they are valuable owing to their high silver melt value. However, some numismatists retained the fresh rolls of uncirculated Franklin Half Dollars. In 1964, the US mint struck the Kennedy Half Dollar, bringing the Franklin Half Dollar to a halt. The Congress, therefore, opted to immortalize Kennedy on the Franklin Half Dollar. The country went into mourning, renaming public parks, streets, and buildings after the fallen hero.įollowing the assassination of President John Kennedy, the US government resolved to pay homage to the murdered president. Kennedy at a procession in Dallas, Texas. An assassin gunned down President John F. The scramble for the Half Dollars came to an end on November 22, 1963. However, not many people collected the silver coin for its numismatic value. The Half Dollars became the primary economic driver, circulating freely within the country. In 1948, the US mint struck the first Half Dollar coin featuring the image of Benjamin Franklin. Unfortunately, he passed on, and his assistant took over the project to completion. The chief engraver for the US mint, John Sinnock, designed the first specimens of the Franklin Half Dollar. However, they halted the plan to change the walking dollars because of the ongoing Second World War. The US mints required no Congress Act to change the walking half dollars. Name: Benjamin Franklin Silver Half Dollarīefore the Franklin half dollars, the US mints struck the Walking Liberty Half Dollars.The 1963 Franklin Half Dollar was the last among the half dollar coins struck between 1948-1963. The coin features the image of Benjamin Franklin and the Liberty Bell. It is a silver currency issued for circulation by the US mint in 1963.
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Plus, we also help you know how to grade your coin by physically examining its outer surface. This article focuses on the history of the half dollar, significant features, the origin of the mint, and frequently asked questions. The coin derives its name from the iconic leader who was a statesman and founding father. The 90% fine silver and 10% copper coin has a total melt value of $8.23.ĭesigned as an honor to Franklin, this coin features the portrait on its frontal face and a liberty bell on the reverse. In Fine condition, a 1963 Franklin Half Dollar costs $12.00, while a certified mint state (MS+) can be about $58. It is the only coin that pays tribute to Benjamin Franklin, an important figure in the history of America. The 1963 Franklin Half Dollar is one of the most memorable coins struck by the US mints.
