Coins minted in silver with the face of Benjamin Franklin can be precious. In fact, thirteen of them have sold for prices up to $130,000.
In the first half of the 20th century, director of the United States Mint Nellie Tayloe Ross made a point to include the face of one of his idols, Benjamin Franklin, in some of the coins in circulation.
In 1948, the US government approved the minting of the ‘half dollar’ coin with the face of Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and on its reverse the Liberty Bell. This icon is particularly important as it represents the famous bell that the great founders rang for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
This changed in 1964 after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Franklin’s face on the 50-cent coins was replaced by the deceased president as a tribute. This was also the last year in which coin to be minted with a composition that was 90% silver. After this, the copper and silver alloy lowered the manufacturing cost, a mixture that was also quickly replaced by the copper and nickel currency.
13 'Franklin coins' worth a fortune
Although the majority of ‘half dollars’ with the face of the founding father do not have great economic value, some coins with certain particularities and rarities can raise the price significantly.
Although only 13 examples have so far achieved sufficient status to earn their owners tens of thousands of dollars, many of these 50-cent coins have not been correctly valued and some US citizens could have a real treasure in their homes.
These are the 13 most valued Franklin half dollars according to CoinValueChecker:
1948 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $28,750.
1949-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $31,725.
1950 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $39,600.
1951-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $30,550.
1952 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $42,300.
1953-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $69,000.
1954-D Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $21,275.
1955 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $14,100.
1958 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $129,250.
1960 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $28,200.
1961 Proof DDR Franklin Half Dollar: $14,400.
1962 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $17,825.
1963 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar: $85,188.
Mintages and Production Changes: The rarity of certain half dollars can be traced back to limited mintages and significant production changes over the years. For instance, early issues like the 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar had minimal mintage due to the challenges of coin production during that era.
A coin in flawless condition may be worth hundreds of times more than a low-grade version of the exact same coin. Individual coins that are above average in appearance for strike, luster, color, toning, and eye appeal are considered to be higher in quality and in greater demand than those that do not look as nice.
To ensure your coin is rare, check for minting errors, such as double strikes or planchet flaws, unique designs, or limited editions. The 2007 Sacagawea Dollar, with Edge Lettering, accidentally featuring a Presidential coin's edge design, is exceptionally valuable due to its rarity, with only one known to exist.
An extremely rare 1988 coin could be worth nearly $15,000 due to an error by the Royal Australian Mint. The coins commemorate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet. However, instead of replacing the standard coat of arms with this design, some coins feature both designs.
In 1985, only one million 50 cent coins were ever produced, which now sees them fetch anywhere between $15 and $40, according to numismatist Michael McCauley. Mr McCauley shared a Tik Tok where he said the same number of coins were minted in 1993, but they weren't worth as much as the coins produced a decade earlier.
A number of other iterations of the $2 bills with a red seal can also fetch well over a $1,000. Bills with brown seals are also very valuable. Some $2 bills printed as recently as 2003 and 1995 can be valued at as much as $700.
An uncirculated $20 silver certificate from 1886 with a large red U.S. Treasury seal can be worth more than $22,500, with circulated versions still worth up to $11,000, according to the USCA. A brown seal on the same note is worth up to $17,500 if it is uncirculated, and up to $8,000 if circulated.
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of September 2024, a Kennedy Half Dollar from 1776-1976 S in circulated condition is worth between $4.55 and $5. However, on the open market 1776-1976 S SILVER Half Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $12500.
The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it a weight of 12.50 grams. This composition was used only in 1964, making these coins more valuable than later Kennedy Half Dollars.
The most valuable Kennedy Half Dollars include the 1964 SMS (Special Mint Set) coin, which can be worth thousands of dollars, and the 1964-D Doubled Die Obverse variety. Other valuable examples are the 1970-D, 1998-S Matte Proof, and the 1964 Proof coins.
Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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