Specifications: Designer-John R. Sinnock, Weight-12.50g, Diameter-30.6mm, Edge-Reeded, Composition-90% Silver 10% Copper .36169oz Pure Silver
The Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar and Roosevelt dime were both designed by John Sinnock whose initials appear below the shoulder. The mintmark on specimens having one is visible on the reverse side centered above the bell yoke. The Liberty Bell is similar to that used by Sinnock on the Sesquicentennial commemorative halves of 1926.
Large quantities of Franklin halves were melted as silver bullion shortly after 1964, when the intrinsic value exceeded the face value of U.S. silver coinage. Despite these losses, Franklin halves in gently circulated condition remain quite affordable even today. The exception is for well-struck pieces showing full bell lines in the Liberty Bell design on the reverse.
The one notable error in the series of the Franklin half dollar is the "Bugs Bunny" error, so called because damage to the coin's obverse die resulted in a split in Franklin's upper lip, giving the appearance of prominent front teeth. The damage to the die resulted from the obverse and reverse dies striking each other without a coin planchet in between. The error is found in 1955 coins minted in Philadelphia. There is also a 1961-P Proof doubled die error.
| My Collection | ||||
| Date | Mintage | Description | Price | Status |
| 1958P | 3,950,762 | MS-63 | Not For Sale | |
| 1958D | 277,254,766 | MS-63 | Not For Sale | |
| Not For Sale | ||||
| Not For Sale | ||||
| Not For Sale | ||||