The Franklin Silver Half Dollar was produced by the United States Mint from 1948 to 1963 and was composed of 90% silver. Each coin contained 0.36169 ounces of silver.
The Franklin Half Dollar followed the highly popular Walking Liberty Half Dollar, which was minted from 1916 to 1947. Although there were discussions to update the design in 1941, the onset of World War II delayed any changes. As a result, the transition to the Franklin Silver Half Dollar didn’t occur until 1948.
This new coin marked a significant departure from its predecessors, which had typically depicted the allegorical figure of Liberty. The Franklin Half Dollar featured Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers, known for his roles as a statesman, inventor, diplomat, and writer. While other U.S. coins had previously featured individual figures (such as the 1909 Lincoln Cent), this was the first time a half dollar had showcased a specific historical figure instead of Liberty.
Production of the Franklin Half Dollar ended prematurely in 1963 after just 15 years. The coin was replaced the following year with a design honoring President John F. Kennedy, who had been assassinated in 1963.
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On the obverse of the Franklin Half Dollar, the coin displays a right-facing portrait of Benjamin Franklin, designed by John R. Sinnock. Surrounding the image are the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the year of minting.
The reverse side features a cracked Liberty Bell with a small eagle positioned next to it. The inscriptions on this side read “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “HALF DOLLAR.” If applicable, a mintmark can be found above the bell.
