1961 Franklin Half Dollar
The 1961 Franklin Half saw its most dramatic change in the surging mintage for the proof version of the coin, which nearly doubled from the prior year. Since 1950, the Philadelphia Mint had produced proof coins for inclusion in the annual proof set. From the initial mintage of 51,386 coins, the total for 1961 had grown to more than 3 million.
The 1961 and 1961-D Franklin Half Dollars struck for circulation are easily encountered in lower grades, but scarce in grades above MS65. The 1961 Franklin Half graded MS66 with Full Bell Lines is particularly scarce.
1961 Franklin Half Mintage and Specifications
Mintage: 8,290,000 (Philadelphia), 20,276,442 (Denver), 3,028,244 (Proof - Philadelphia)
Designers: John R. Sinnock (obverse & reverse), John Frederick Lewis (sketch for reverse model)
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 12.50 grams
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Edge: Reeded
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