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.
