The Benjamin Franklin silver half dollar coin was minted from 1948 until 1963. The Franklin half dollar coin was heavily minted and is common to find amongst junk silver. Each Franklin Silver Half Dollar is minted with a 90% Silver alloy.
The obverse of the coin displays a portrayal of Benjamin Franklin, inventor, statesman, author, politician and diplomat. The profile bust faces to the right. The top edge of the coin is inscribed with the word “LIBERTY”. Along the bottom edge is the inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST”. The mint date is to the lower right of the portrait.
The reverse of the coin shows the Liberty Bell. To the right of the Liberty Bell is a portrait of an eagle. To the left is the phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. The top edge of the reverse is inscribed with the “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, while the bottom edge is inscribed with the denomination “HALF DOLLAR”.
Each Franklin Half Dollar coin is worth at least $0 in intrinsic silver value based on the precious metal content. Specimens in uncirculated condition or with key dates and mintage could be worth substantially more.
No mintage is particularly rare for Franklin Half dollars. Production of the coin was ramped up in 1962 and 1963. Over 498 million Franklin Half Dollar coins were minted from 1948 to 1963.
Franklin Half Dollars are usually sold by online bullion dealers as 90% junk silver because of how common they are and how many were produced. They can often be bought individually, in standard bank rolls of 20 coins or $10 Face Value. Many dealers also sell them in canvas bags containing $100 Face Value or $1,000 Face Value.
A $100 Face Value bag of Franklin Half Dollars contains roughly 71.5 troy ounces of silver. With today’s silver spot price, each $100 Face Value Bag of Junk Silver Franklin Half Dollars is worth $0.
Coin Specifications
- Denomination: 50 cents
- Obverse Image: Founding Father Benjamin Franklin
- Reverse Image: Liberty Bell
- Metal Composition: 90% Silver 10% Copper
- Gross Weight: .402 troy ounces (12.5 grams)
- Silver Weight: .362 troy ounces (11.25 grams)
- Diameter: 30.6 mm
- Thickness: 2.15 mm
- Melt Value: $0