Copyright © PeerMetals 2026
Designed under Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross, the Franklin half dollar was the first US coin to honor someone who never served as president -- Benjamin Franklin, chosen for his broad popularity and Founding Father status. Its reverse shows the Liberty Bell, with a small eagle added beside it only because federal law required an eagle on half-dollar-and-larger coinage. It was replaced by the Kennedy half dollar in 1964, struck as a hasty tribute after President Kennedy's assassination.
Every date below is a recognised key date or variety. Common dates from the same series are worth far less and are usually valued closer to their metal content.
How many of each were struck — the shortest bar is the scarcest date in the series.
Bars are scaled to keep the smallest mintages visible; the exact figure is printed on every row. Mintage is coins struck, not coins surviving — melting and circulation wear thin those numbers further.
Live listings from sellers on the marketplace
About Franklin Half Dollar values
The 1961 tops this series: a top-grade example is estimated around $4,268. Condition drives that figure — the same date in worn condition is worth a fraction of it, which is why each guide shows a range rather than a single number.
By mintage, the 1953 is the scarcest key date tracked here, with 2,796,920 struck. Mintage is coins struck rather than coins surviving, though — melting and circulation wear thin those numbers further, so survival estimates run lower still.
This guide covers 7 key dates and varieties from the Franklin Half Dollar series (1948–1963). Common dates from the same series are worth far less and are usually valued closer to their metal content.
Grading takes practice, and the gap between adjacent grades is real money on a key date. Compare your coin against the photographs on each date's page, and for anything potentially valuable consider having it certified by PCGS or NGC — a graded coin settles both authenticity and condition in one step.
List it free on PeerMetals — flat 2.75% seller fee, zero listing fees, 1–3 day payouts.
Every US series with key dates priced here.
