The Franklin Half Dollar significantly changed U.S. coinage design when it was introduced in 1948.
It was the first U.S. coin to feature a historical person on the obverse and replaced the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, which had been in circulation since 1916.
In 1948, the Philadelphia Mint’s first year of minting, 3,006,814 Franklin Half Dollar coins were minted. These coins do not have a mint mark.
At the Denver Mint, 4,028,600 Franklin Half Dollar coins were minted with the “D” mint mark.
1948 Franklin Silver Half Dollar Mintage
| Philadelphia Mint (No Mint Mark) | 3,006,814 coins |
|---|---|
| Denver Mint (“D”) | 4,028,600 coins |
| 1948 Franklin Half Dollar Mintage Total | 7,035,414 coins |
1948 Franklin Half Dollar Specifications
| Year: | 1948 |
|---|---|
| Face Value: | 50 cents |
| Mint Marks: | None – Philadelphia Mint, D – Denver Mint |
| Gross Weight: | 12.5 grams (0.402 troy ounces) |
| Silver Content: | 90% |
| Silver Weight: | .3617 troy ounces |
| Silver Melt: | $11.951 |
| Diameter: | 30.6 mm |
| Thickness: | 2.15 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Composition: | Silver .900, Copper .100 |
1 – Melt value based on today’s silver spot price of $33.03 per troy ounce.
Most circulated Franklin Silver Half Dollars from 1948 will be sold as junk silver.
Coins in better condition may have some numismatic value to collectors. Especially those showing “full bell lines” (FBL) are more valuable to collectors.
1948 Franklin Half Dollar Melt Value
The melt value of each uncirculated 1948 Franklin Half Dollar is $11.95 based on today’s silver spot price of $33.03. Each $1 Face Value of circulated coins has a melt value of roughly $23.62 using the industry standard .715 troy ounces per face value.
Each standard bank roll of $10 Face Value (20 Coins) of silver half dollars has a melt value of roughly $236.19.