3 Decades of Franklin Silver Half Dollars

The Franklin Silver Half Dollar was struck from 1948 until 1963, when it was suddenly replaced with the Kennedy Half Dollar in memory of President John F. Kennedy.  This collection includes one historic coin from each of the three decades of issue – 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s.

The obverse of the Franklin Silver Half Dollar features colonial patriot and inventor Benjamin Franklin.  He was the first real person other than a President to appear on a circulating U.S. coin.  Among his many achievements, Franklin was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The reverse of the coin shows the Liberty Bell.  According to tradition, this bell was rung to announce the Declaration of Independence to the people of Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.  There is a very small eagle to the right of the bell.  By law, this coin had to show an eagle as the symbol of the United States – but Franklin thought the wild turkey should be the national bird, so out of respect for him the eagle was made very small!

The Franklin Silver Half Dollar was the last coin series made entirely in .900 pure silver.  As a result, each coin in this collection is a rarely-seen silver issue.  Due to the rising cost of silver, millions of these coins were melted over the years – making the few remaining coins even more sought-after.

The first coin will be dated 1948 or 1949 and is therefore guaranteed to be one of the first two years of issue.  The earliest coins in any series are always highly sought after, and this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the earliest Franklin Silver Half Dollars. 

The second coin is from the 1950’s and symbolizes one of the most progressive eras in U.S. history.  It was a time characterized by unprecedented economic growth … the start of the space age … “I Like Ike” … the birth of rock ‘n’ roll … and spectacular automobiles. 

The third and final coin will be dated from 1960 to 1963 and is therefore one of the final coins in the series.  Like the first coin, the last coins in any coin series are very desirable.

All three coins are increasingly scarce.  They disappeared from circulation over 50 years ago, and together they make a spectacular collection of a long-gone classic American coin series.