INDEX
A Franklin Half Dollar contains 0.3617 troy oz of silver — about $21.49 at today's silver price.
Spot price as of July 22, 2026
About This Series
John R. Sinnock designed the Franklin half dollar, and it ran for just 16 years - from 1948 until Kennedy's assassination prompted a memorial coin in 1964. The reverse features the Liberty Bell and a small eagle required by law on half dollars; that small eagle is one of the more awkward design compromises in US coinage history. Collectors grade these heavily on "Full Bell Lines" (FBL), with well-struck examples commanding strong premiums. The 1949-S is the key date by mintage; the 1955 is scarce too. Generally a short, affordable series for type collectors and a challenging one in FBL.
Specifications
1948–1963
- Composition
- 90% Silver, 10% Copper
- Fineness
- 90.0%
- Weight
- 12.50 g
- Diameter
- 30.6 mm
- ASW
- 0.3617 oz
- Years Produced
- 1948–1963
Melt Value
Based on silver spot price of $59.42/oz
Spot price as of July 22, 2026