How to Identify the Franklin Half Dollar

What It Is

The Franklin Half Dollar was struck from 1948 to 1963, honoring Benjamin Franklin. It replaced the Walking Liberty half dollar and was itself replaced in 1964 by the Kennedy half dollar following President Kennedy's assassination. It was designed by Mint engraver John R. Sinnock.

Obverse Design

The obverse shows a right-facing bust of Benjamin Franklin. "LIBERTY" arcs above his head, "IN GOD WE TRUST" sits in the left field, and the date appears below the bust. Sinnock's small initials "JRS" appear on the truncation of Franklin's shoulder.

Reverse Design

The reverse depicts the Liberty Bell in the center, with a small eagle to the right of the bell (added because federal law required an eagle on half dollar reverses). "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" wrap around the rim, with "HALF DOLLAR" below the bell. A visible crack runs through the bell, mirroring the real Liberty Bell's crack.

Size, Weight & Metal

Franklin halves are struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weigh 12.50 grams, measure 30.6 mm across, and have a reeded edge — matching other 90% silver half dollars of the era.

Mint Marks

Look on the reverse just above the Liberty Bell, to the left of the bell's beam, for a small "D" (Denver) or "S" (San Francisco). No letter means the coin was struck in Philadelphia.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

The portrait alone distinguishes this series: Franklin's profile bust is unmistakable next to the full standing figure of Liberty on the earlier Walking Liberty half or John F. Kennedy's portrait on the coin that followed in 1964. If the reverse shows a bell rather than an eagle-and-shield or a walking figure, it's a Franklin half.

Grading at a Glance

Check the fine lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell (the "bell lines") — sharp, complete lines suggest a well-struck, lightly circulated coin, while worn coins show these lines merging or disappearing. Franklin's cheek and hair curls are the first spots to show flattening from wear; also check the rim and lettering for softness.

Authenticity Red Flags

Because these are common 90% silver coins, outright counterfeits are less frequent than on rarer issues, but watch for coins with a mushy, indistinct strike, incorrect weight, or a magnetic response (genuine silver halves are not magnetic). Cleaned coins often show unnatural brightness and hairline scratches in the fields, which can mask a coin's true grade.