Numismatic

1948-1963 Franklin Half Dollar BU (Random)

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During the mid-century era, the United States minted a distinctive fifty-cent piece that departed from the traditional personifications of Liberty. Instead, the coin features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on its obverse, designed by John Sinnock. This series, minted before the transition to copper and nickel clad coinage, represents a classic era of American silver issues. The obverse design presents the profile of Franklin, accompanied by the legible inscriptions "Liberty" and the national motto "In God We Trust". On the reverse, the central focus is the historic Liberty Bell, complete with its famous crack. To the right of the bell, a small eagle is depicted, fulfilling the legal requirement for the denomination. The reverse also bears the inscriptions "United States of America", "E Pluribus Unum", and "Half Dollar". Struck in 90% silver, these coins contain approximately 0.3617 ounces of actual silver weight. Examples from this series, dated between 1955 and 1963, have been retrieved from circulation and preserved in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, offering a crisp look at the details of Sinnock's mid-century engraving.