1959-D Franklin Half Dollar MS-66 PCGS (FBL)

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The 1959 Franklin half dollar offers a window into mid-twentieth-century American coinage, pairing a tribute to one of the nation's most famous Founding Fathers with a powerful symbol of independence. Struck in Denver from 90 percent silver, this fifty-cent piece contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. The coin represents the artistic vision of designer John R. Sinnock, capturing a clean, dignified portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the obverse. On the front of the coin, Franklin is depicted in a right-facing profile. The design is accompanied by the inscriptions of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST, alongside the 1959 production date. The simplicity of the portrait allows the smooth fields of the coin to frame Franklin's likeness with remarkable clarity. The reverse side presents a detailed rendering of the Liberty Bell, complete with its famous crack. To the right of the bell, a small eagle with spread wings is visible, a design element included to fulfill legal requirements for the denomination. The reverse also bears the traditional motto E PLURIBUS UNUM and the face value of the coin. This specific specimen is certified in Mint State 66 (MS-66) and carries the coveted Full Bell Lines designation. This means the horizontal lines wrapping around the bottom of the Liberty Bell are fully defined and unbroken, a rare characteristic that indicates an exceptionally sharp strike from the Denver Mint dies, which are marked by the letter D.