1949-D Franklin Half Dollar
Make a mint with this 1949-D Franklin half dollar. While coming into circulation one year after its introduction by the U.S. Treasury, the Denver minted strike year of 1949 remains popular because of its high silver content – 90% – its low mintage, and also the fact that collectors at the time stopped saving the coin for a while.
History
The Benjamin Franklin half dollar came to be as the U.S. Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross admired the founding father and polymath and wanted him depicted on a coin. She asked her chief engraver John Sinnock to prepare designs for a coin but he passed away before completing them. His replacement Gilroy Roberts continued his work and the final design was Franklin's head cut off at the shoulder on the obverse side and the Liberty Bell on the reverse with a small federal eagle on the right. The coins were released in 1948 until 1963 before being replaced by the Kennedy half dollar.
Design species
Other notable features on the coin includes Sinnock's initials "JRS" on the obverse under Franklin's cut-off shoulder. It has a reeded edge and is around 30mm in diameter, weighing 12.5g. The 1949-D Franklin Half Dollar has the mint mark "D" for Denver on the reverse under the text "United States of America." The words "Liberty" and “In God We Trust” also feature above and below Franklin, who is shown exposing the right side of his face and with long flowing hair. The Liberty Bell even features a small crack.
1949-D Franklin half dollar value and mintage
The mintage of the 1949-D Franklin half dollar mintage is 4,120,600 and its value is tied to its silver price. However, uncirculated coins in decent condition are rare and worth much more. How much more depends on how much wear the coin has weathered. If it has no signs of wear and retains its luster then it can reach over $200 over its face value.
