Franklin Half Dollars are a short set with 35 coins between 1948 and 1963. It is relatively easy to build a circulated or uncirculated set.
And now, you asked for it! A brief history of the Franklin Half Dollar.
Brief History Of Franklin Half Dollars
1916 is the 25th year of the Barber Dime, Quarter and Half Dollar, though the last Barber Half Dollars come out in 1915. As a result, the US Mint don’t need permission from Congress to change the designs of these coins. To get designs for the new coins, the Director of the Mint has the Commission of Fine Arts conduct a competition. Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman wins with both the Mercury Dime and Walking Liberty Half Dollar.
Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross is a big fan of Benjamin Franklin and wants to see him on a US coin. With the law dating back from 1890 stating that a coin design change will need Congressional approval if it has been minted under 25 years, the only coins that are out longer than 25 years are the Lincoln Cent and the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Knowing how people are fond of Abraham Lincoln, the only choice is the Half Dollar.
In 1947, the chief engraver starts designing Benjamin Franklin on the obverse. He uses the medal he made of Franklin as a guide. The reverse has the Liberty Bell similar to the reverse of the 1926 Sesquicentennial Commemorative Half Dollar.
The half dollar enters the public on April 30, 1948, but there is one thing on the coin people did not approve of, Sinnock’s initials. Right there, below Franklin are the initials JRS. Minus the ‘R’ they are the same initials as Joseph Stalin, premier of the Soviet Union. The complaints soon disappear and the Franklin Half Dollar moves on.
Key Dates of Franklin Half Dollars
Though there is not any difficulty getting any of the 35 coins, the 1949-D, 1949-S, 1953-P and 1955-P are the key dates.
After 15 years and over 465,000,000 Franklin Half Dollars, the Half Dollar will be replaced in 1964 as a result of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
What Is The Deal With The Tiny Eagle On The Reverse?
By law, an eagle appears the reverse of the quarter, half dollar, and dollar coins. However, Benjamin Franklin despises the eagle. He thinks they are scavengers. He prefers the wild turkey to be the national bird. Can you imagine a wild turkey on the reverse of this coin? Out of respect for Franklin and keeping with the law, the designer makes the eagle as small as he could.
Franklins As An Investment
I see two possibilities in collecting Franklins as an investment.
Full Bell Lines – also known as FBL. There are two lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell and three more line a little further above. Though a fully struck half dollar, there are less coins with Full Bell Lines making them more valuable.
Cameo proofs – Regularly proof coins are completely mirror-like. Cameo proof coins are still mirror-like on the flat portion, but the detail and lettering is frosted. Some cameos are more white and are called deep or ultra cameo. Though cameo proofs are popular today, they were scarce before 1971.
Would you consider collecting Franklin Half Dollars?
I think Franklin Half Dollars are popular to the collector and the investor. A small set that is easy to put together. How can you go wrong?