Numismatic

1949-D Franklin Half Dollar BU

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Struck in the mountain air of the Denver Mint, this 1949 silver half dollar represents an intriguing era in United States coinage. The coin is composed of 90 percent silver, containing 0.3575 troy ounces of the precious metal. Kept in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, it offers a remarkably clear look at a mid-twentieth-century design. The obverse features a right-facing profile of Benjamin Franklin, one of America's most famous founding figures. Surrounding his portrait are the classic inscriptions of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST, alongside the 1949 date. This design marked a departure from the traditional allegorical figures of Liberty that had dominated American coinage for decades prior. On the reverse, the historic Liberty Bell takes center stage, complete with its famous crack. To the right of the bell, a small eagle with spread wings is visible, a detail added to fulfill legal requirements for the denomination. The reverse also bears the inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM and HALF DOLLAR, alongside the Denver Mint's distinctive D mint mark, making this a fascinating specimen for those exploring the evolution of American currency.