Numismatic

1954 Franklin Half Dollar MS-64 NGC

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Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1954, this mid-century silver half dollar features a distinctive design that honors one of America's most famous founding figures. The obverse displays a right-facing profile of Benjamin Franklin, accompanied by the inscriptions of liberty, the national motto of trust, and the year of mintage. This clean, dignified portrait offers a departure from the traditional allegorical figures that previously dominated United States coinage. The reverse of the coin is rich with symbolic imagery, showcasing the historic Liberty Bell as its central focus. To the side of the bell, a small eagle with spread wings is depicted, satisfying the legal requirement for the denomination. The reverse also bears the traditional Latin motto meaning out of many, one, alongside the face value of fifty cents. Minted without a mint mark, this specimen contains 0.3575 troy ounces of silver with a purity of 90 percent. This particular coin has been graded Mint State 64 (MS-65), preserving the crisp details of John R. Sinnock's original mid-twentieth-century engraving. The combination of historical portraiture and classic American symbols makes this issue a compelling subject for study and appreciation.