When America decided to put people on their money (instead of symbolic figures of liberty like Lady Liberty), they naturally began with the Founding Fathers. The first three were U.S. Presidents, while the fourth was Benjamin Franklin — a seasoned diplomat and a man of many talents. Let’s explore his fascinating history and uncover the Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollars Worth Money.
Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollars Worth Money
1. 1961 Proof DDR Franklin Half Dollar
While the exact count can vary depending on your criteria, around 15 individuals are typically recognized as Founding Fathers — those who signed the Declaration of Independence.
But among them, seven are considered especially significant, and four went on to become U.S. Presidents. Benjamin Franklin, though central to America’s founding, never held that title.
- Year: 1961
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Error: Doubled Die Reverse
- Grade: PR 68
- Date of Sale: August 11, 2020
- Price: $14,400
Franklin’s absence from the presidency is often credited to his advanced age and declining health, though others believe he simply preferred to shape the young nation from behind the scenes.
Regardless, his contributions to American history are so vast that many people mistakenly assume he was a president! Today, his face lives on through the $100 bill — a lasting tribute to his legacy.
2. 1963 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
Just like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin wasn’t fond of having his likeness on coins. However, admiration from the public eventually placed his portrait on U.S. currency anyway.
For Washington, the occasion marked his bicentennial. Franklin, on the other hand, made his coin debut in 1948, thanks to Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross’s admiration and persistence.
- Year: 1963
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 66+ FBL
- Date of Sale: September 26, 2019
- Price: $85,188
Under the Coinage Act of 1890, the U.S. Mint could update any coin design after 25 years without congressional approval. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar, first minted in 1916, fit this rule perfectly, paving the way for the Franklin Half Dollar to enter circulation.
3. 1953-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The Franklin Half Dollar series ran from 1948 to 1963. During this era, the U.S. Mint began to collaborate more frequently with independent artists, a shift that began when President Theodore Roosevelt enlisted sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to modernize American coinage. Roosevelt believed the Mint’s in-house engravers were too rooted in traditional styles.
- Year: 1953
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: MS 66 FBL
- Date of Sale: March 3, 2001
- Price: $69,000
Although outsourcing sparked clashes between artists and Mint staff, the practice became standard. When the Roosevelt Dime was designed in 1946, however, the project was handled internally by Chief Mint Engraver John Sinnock due to time constraints, reestablishing the Mint’s role in coin design for a brief period.
4. 1958 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
When Franklin’s portrait was chosen for the half-dollar coin, Sinnock was tasked with creating the design, though his declining health meant that much of the work fell to his assistant, Gilroy Roberts.
Despite this, only Sinnock’s initials appeared on the coin, sparing Roberts from conspiracy theories that accused Sinnock of embedding secret communist symbols.
- Year: 1958
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 67+ FBL
- Date of Sale: September 27, 2018
- Price: $129,250
Though Franklin never became President of the United States, he did serve as President of Pennsylvania from 1785 to 1788. The Liberty Bell — one of Philadelphia’s most iconic symbols — was fittingly chosen for the coin’s reverse design, honoring both his local and national significance.
5. 1949-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
U.S. coin law required that half-dollar designs include an eagle, so a small eagle was added to balance the Liberty Bell on the coin’s reverse. “E Pluribus Unum” was inscribed on the opposite side of the bell.
At the time, there was even debate about whether to include the bell’s famous crack, but ultimately historical accuracy prevailed.
- Year: 1949
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: MS 67+ FBL
- Date of Sale: September 27, 2018
- Price: $31,725
Interestingly, the Liberty Bell cracked the very first time it rang in Philadelphia. Despite several repair attempts, the crack proved persistent. The bell still bears the names of the craftsmen who tried to fix it — a reminder of the ongoing struggle to preserve this historic artifact.
6. 1948 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The Liberty Bell’s history is filled with lesser-known facts. The original bell, ordered in 1751, arrived the following year but cracked soon after.
Two local craftsmen, Pass and Stow, attempted multiple repairs. Eventually, a second bell was ordered from London and installed in the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall).
- Year: 1948
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 67 FBL
- Date of Sale: July 30, 2003
- Price: $28,750
Today, the Liberty Bell is housed at the Liberty Bell Center, located within Independence National Historical Park. It rests across from Independence Hall, where the bell originally hung.
The bell wasn’t widely known as the “Liberty Bell” until abolitionists adopted it as a symbol of freedom during the antislavery movement in the 1830s.
7. 1955 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The Liberty Bell was relocated multiple times. In 1976, it moved from Independence Hall to the nearby Independence Mall, and in 2003, it settled into its permanent home at the Liberty Bell Center. Interestingly, before Philadelphia built a bell tower, the city’s first bell was simply hung on a tree.
- Year: 1955
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 67 FBL
- Date of Sale: January 6, 2016
- Price: $14,100
During the American Revolution, the bell was hidden to protect it from British forces in 1777. It returned to Philadelphia in 1785. Later, one of the bells was sold to St. Augustine’s Church, which unfortunately burned during an attack, and the bell was melted down and recast.
FAQs
Why was Benjamin Franklin chosen for the half-dollar coin even though he wasn’t a U.S. President?
Benjamin Franklin was chosen because of his immense contributions as a Founding Father, inventor, diplomat, and statesman. His legacy and impact on American history made him a fitting figure for the half-dollar coin despite never holding the office of President.
What makes a Franklin Half Dollar valuable to collectors?
Franklin Half Dollars become highly valuable when they have rare features such as Full Bell Lines (FBL), mint errors like Doubled Die Reverses, high-grade conditions (like MS 67+), or limited mintage from specific years and mints.
What does “Full Bell Line” (FBL) mean on Franklin Half Dollars?
“Full Bell Line” refers to the clarity and sharpness of the horizontal lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell on the reverse side of the coin. Coins with fully visible and unbroken bell lines are rarer and more desirable to collectors.
Why does the Liberty Bell on the Franklin Half Dollar show a crack?
The crack on the Liberty Bell is part of its real-life history. The designers chose to include it on the coin to maintain historical accuracy and authenticity, despite some initial debate over whether to depict the flaw.