Franklin half dollars, also called “Franklin halves,” are silver American 50-cent coins minted from 1948 to 1963. The name comes from these coins featuring Benjamin Franklin on the obverse (heads side). The reverse (tails side) depicts the iconic Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In American coinage history, Franklin half dollars were significant for finishing out all the circulation coin designs being replaced with real Americans instead of personifications like Liberty.
Though only issued for 16 years, Franklin half dollars are highly sought-after by collectors for their historical value and high silver content.
The total weight of the Franklin half dollar is 12.5 g (~0.44 oz). The coin is made of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper, and each Franklin half dollar contains 0.36169 troy oz (~11.25 g) of pure silver.
The coin is 30.61 mm (1.21 in) wide and 1.8 mm thick. The edge is reeded, or “milled,” meaning it has narrow ridges carved around the edge — 150 ridges, to be exact.
Many elements of the coin’s design symbolize American independence and Philadelphia, the nation’s first capital and the location of most of Franklin’s pioneering work.
Throughout the Franklin half dollar series, three mints struck the coin, denoted by their mint marks:
DESIGNER: John R. Sinnock/John Frederick Lewis
EDGE: Reeded
DIAMETER:30.00 millimeters
WEIGHT:12.50 grams
MINTAGE: 233,300
MINT: Philadelphia
METAL: 90% Silver, 10% Copper