Numismatic

1954-S Franklin Half Dollar MS-66 PCGS

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In 1954, the San Francisco mint struck this mid-century silver half dollar, which has survived in an exceptional state of preservation, graded Mint State 66 (MS-66). Composed of 90 percent silver with a precious metal content of 0.3575 troy ounces, the coin represents a classic era of United States coinage. The design is the work of John R. Sinnock, who brought a distinctively modern aesthetic to the nation's fifty-cent piece. The obverse features a right-facing profile of Benjamin Franklin, one of America's most revered founding figures. Surrounding his portrait are the fundamental inscriptions "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST", alongside the 1954 date. This clean, dignified portrait offers a striking departure from the traditional allegorical figures of Liberty that dominated earlier American coinage. On the reverse, the mighty Liberty Bell takes center stage, complete with its famous crack. To the right of the bell, a small eagle is visible, satisfying the legal requirement for the denomination. The reverse inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "E PLURIBUS UNUM", and the denomination "HALF DOLLAR". Just above the bell's yoke, the tiny "S" mint mark identifies this piece as a product of the historic San Francisco minting facility.