Franklin Half Series
The Franklin Half Dollar series was issued from 1948 to 1963. The coin features Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. The series followed the highly popular Liberty Walking Half series and was cut short by the release of the Kennedy Half Dollar. Placed between these two notable series, Franklin Halves are sometimes overlooked. However the Franklin Half offers coin collectors many highlights and challenges.
History
The Franklin Half replaced the Walking Liberty Half design. It also marked completion of the conversion of circulating US coin designs from the allegorical Liberty figure to portraits of historical Americans. The format was already being used on the Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, and Washington Quarter.
The coin was designed by John R. Sinnock, the Chief Sculptor-Engraver of the US Mint. The obverse portrait of Franklin is modeled after a bust by 18th century sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.
The reverse image of the Liberty Bell was patterned after Sinnock's design for the 1926 Sesquicentennial Commemorative Half Dollar. Subsequent credit was given to artist John Frederick Lewis. Sinnock apparently modeled the design after one of his sketches. The reverse also includes a diminutive image of an eagle. The eagle was required to be placed on the reverse of the half dollar by law.
The Franklin Half series was cut short in 1963 following the assassination of President Kennedy. Under US law, the series was required to have a duration of at least 25 years before it was eligible for change. A bill was rushed through Congress at the end of 1963 to memorialize Kennedy on the Half Dollar coin and replace Benjamin Franklin starting in 1964.
Highlights
1948 - The first year of issue replacing the Walking Liberty Half. The response from the coin collecting community was reportedly unenthusiastic. For the duration of the series collectors assembled sets by date and mint mark, but paid little attention to some of the finer points such as Full Bell Lines, which would become important later.
1949-D - Although not the lowest mintage coin in the series, this coin is considered the key date. While there is little premium for low grade examples, high grade uncirculated coins have greater values.
1950 - This year the United States Mint resumed production of proof sets. The 1950 Proof Franklin Half had the lowest mintage for a proof coin of 51,386. Early proof Franklin Halves are especially rare with cameo contrasts, which display frosted raised elements over deeply mirrored fields.
1953-S - Several of the San Francisco Franklin Halves are typically found with weak strikes. This eliminates much of the detail on the coin, particularly the horizontal lines on the Liberty Bell. Modern collectors seek out coins with sharp strikes and features, particularly full differentiation of the three horizontal lines on the Liberty Bell. The 1953-S Franklin Half is exceedingly rare with Full Bell Lines.
1963 - The final year for the Franklin Half. Even though the series had not reached the legally mandated 25 year duration, the series was replaced by the Kennedy Half after new legislation was passed.
Composition
Like the other coins of its era, the Franklin Half had a composition of 90% silver. The balance of the composition was copper. Coins were produced for circulation from 1948 to 1963. Proof coins were produced from 1950 to 1963.