Proof Strike Proof Strike

Proof Strike

Designed by: John R. Sinnock
Issue Dates: 1950-1963
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Weight: 12.50 grams (192.9 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Proof Mintage: 15,886,955

In 1948 John R. Sinnock, chief engraver of the Philadelphia Mint, produced a new design for the half dollar, to replace the Liberty Walking motif which had been in use since 1916. The Franklin half dollar depicts a head and shoulders portrait of Franklin on the obverse, facing right, with LIBERTY above and IN GOD WE TRUST below. The date is to the right. The reverse shows the Liberty Bell with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and HALF DOLLAR below. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is to the left while a small eagle is to the right.

At the time of issue, the design was criticized by many, perhaps because it is rather plain in comparison to the "classic" Liberty Walking style. However, in recent years Franklin half dollars have emerged as popular pieces, and today they are highly desired by numismatists.

The type set collector can easily obtain a business strike in any desired grade from Very Fine to superb Uncirculated, although sharply struck Uncirculated pieces showing full bell lines on the reverse and other minutely detailed areas are elusive for some issues. Proofs were minted from 1950 through 1964 and are available in proportion to their original production quantities.

Full Bell Lines

The Liberty Bell on the reverse of the Franklin Half contains a considerable amount of detail, and the two sets of horizontal lines at the base of the bell are often found incomplete.  Coins displaying completely visible and separated lines are valued more highly than those without that attribute, and both of the major grading services recognize this characteristic.  All collectors and services require completeness on the lower (bottom) set of two lines however NGC requires the upper set of three lines to be complete as well.  As on Full Step nickels, no cuts or marks may interrupt the lines except of course for the crack in the bell, which is a part of the design.

franklin half dollars full bell lines designation fbl

1950 Franklin Half Dollar
1950 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 51,386
Obverse Text:

1950 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1951 Franklin Half Dollar
1951 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 57,500
Obverse Text:

1951 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1952 Franklin Half Dollar
1952 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 81,980
Obverse Text:

1952 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1953 Franklin Half Dollar
1953 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 128,800
Obverse Text:

1953 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1954 Franklin Half Dollar
1954 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 233,300
Obverse Text:

1954 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1955 Franklin Half Dollar
1955 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 378,200
Obverse Text:

1955 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1956 Franklin Half Dollar
1956 Franklin Half Dollar
Variety: Type 1
Proof Mintage: 669,384 For All Types
Obverse Text:

1956 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1956 Franklin Half Dollar
1956 Franklin Half Dollar
Variety: Type 2
Proof Mintage: 669,384 For All Types
Obverse Text:

1956 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1957 Franklin Half Dollar
1957 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 1,247,952
Obverse Text:

1957 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1958 Franklin Half Dollar
1958 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 875,652
Obverse Text:

1958 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1959 Franklin Half Dollar
1959 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 1,149,291
Obverse Text:

1959 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1960 Franklin Half Dollar
1960 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 1,691,602
Obverse Text:

1960 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1961 Franklin Half Dollar
1961 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 3,028,244 For All Types
Obverse Text:

1961 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1961 Franklin Half Dollar
1961 Franklin Half Dollar
Variety: Double Die Reverse
Proof Mintage: 3,028,244 For All Types
Obverse Text:

1961 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1962 Franklin Half Dollar
1962 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 3,218,019
Obverse Text:

1962 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More
1963 Franklin Half Dollar
1963 Franklin Half Dollar
Proof Mintage: 3,075,645
Obverse Text:

1963 | IN GOD WE TRUST | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | HALF DOLLAR | E PLURIBUS UNUM

Learn More

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