When America transitioned from symbolic images like Lady Liberty to featuring real people on its money, the first figures chosen were Founding Fathers.
The initial three were US Presidents, while the fourth was Benjamin Franklin, a renowned diplomat. Although Franklin never became president, his influence is celebrated widely, including on the Franklin Half Dollar coin.
1961 Proof DDR Franklin Half Dollar
There are about 15 men recognized as Founding Fathers, based on signers of the Declaration of Independence. Of these, seven are considered the most influential, including four who later became presidents.
Benjamin Franklin, while not president, was a vital figure. Some believe he avoided the presidency due to his preference for behind-the-scenes work or health concerns. Franklin remains iconic, featured on the $100 bill, with his image and legacy enduring through the centuries.
Year: 1961
Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
Error: Doubled Die Reverse
Grade: PR 68
Sale Date: August 11, 2020
Price: $14,400
1963 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
Benjamin Franklin disliked having his portrait on coins, much like George Washington. Yet both men ended up commemorated in this way due to their popularity.
For Washington, the memorial coin came on the 200th anniversary of his birth. For Franklin, the 1948 release was driven by Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross’s determination rather than any special anniversary.
Year: 1963
Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
Grade: MS 66+ FBL
Sale Date: September 26, 2019
Price: $85,188
1953-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The Franklin Half Dollar series ran from 1948 to 1963, a period when outside artists began to influence coin design. Augustus Saint-Gaudens started this trend, encouraged by President Theodore Roosevelt.
He wanted designs that broke from conservative mint engravers’ styles. Yet in 1946, Chief Mint Engraver John Sinnock designed the Roosevelt Dime in-house due to a rushed deadline, setting a precedent for Mint artistry.
Year: 1953
Mint Mark: San Francisco
Grade: MS 66 FBL
Sale Date: March 3, 2001
Price: $69,000
1958 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
A year after Franklin was placed on the coin, Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross enlisted Sinnock to draft the design. Since Sinnock was ill, his assistant Gilroy Roberts completed most of the work but never received public credit.
The coin shows Franklin’s role as President of Pennsylvania from 1785 to 1788, with the reverse featuring the Liberty Bell, an iconic Philadelphia symbol housed originally in the Pennsylvania State House steeple.
Year: 1958
Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
Grade: MS 67+ FBL
Sale Date: September 27, 2018
Price: $129,250
1949-S Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
By law, half dollars had to include an eagle, so a small one was added beside the Liberty Bell on Franklin’s coin, with the motto E Pluribus Unum opposite it.
The bell’s famous crack sparked debate about whether to show it on the coin, but historical accuracy won out. The crack dates back to its first ring on American soil and persisted despite numerous repairs, with inscriptions of the craftsmen who tried fixing it still visible.
Year: 1949
Mint Mark: San Francisco
Grade: MS 67+ FBL
Sale Date: September 27, 2018
Price: $31,725
1948 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The Liberty Bell story actually involves four bells. The first was ordered in 1751 and arrived the next year. After two repairs by craftsmen John Pass and John Stow, a second bell was ordered from London.
Despite its crack, the newer bell was used for the tower clock, and the older bell was set aside. Today, the bell is displayed at the Liberty Bell Centre near Independence Hall, a building once known as the Pennsylvania State House.
Year: 1948
Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
Grade: MS 67 FBL
Sale Date: July 30, 2003
Price: $28,750
1955 Full Bell Line Franklin Half Dollar
The Liberty Bell moved to Independence Mall in 1976 and finally found a permanent home at the Liberty Bell Centre in 2003.
Before that, Philadelphia had an older bell hung on a tree, but in 1751, a formal bell tower was built, and a new bell was ordered. By the end of 1752, the Pennsylvania State House had two large bells. During the Revolutionary War, one bell was hidden to protect it from British soldiers and was returned in 1785.
Year: 1955
Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
Grade: MS 67 FBL
Sale Date: January 6, 2016
Price: $14,100
FAQs
Who was Benjamin Franklin in relation to the US presidency?
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father but never served as US president, focusing instead on diplomacy and state leadership.
What does the Full Bell Line on Franklin Half Dollars mean?
Full Bell Line (FBL) refers to a sharp, clear line on the Liberty Bell’s crack on the coin, indicating a high-quality strike.
Why is the Liberty Bell featured on the Franklin Half Dollar?
The Liberty Bell symbolizes American freedom and Pennsylvania history, linked to Franklin’s presidency of Pennsylvania.
What is special about the 1961 Proof DDR Franklin Half Dollar?
It features a rare Doubled Die Reverse error and a high grade, making it one of the most valuable Franklin Half Dollars.