1951-D Franklin Half Dollar
Capture one of the more unusual versions of the Franklin half dollar series with this 1951-D Franklin half dollar. Minted from 1948 to 1963, it features the portrait of one of the founding fathers of the United States of America. While the 1951 strike year was in regular circulation by 1951 – collectors already had collected their piece of silver from the first strike in the series in 1948 – this Denver minted coin is a rarer find as fewer were produced.
History
The idea behind the Benjamin Franklin half dollar design came from the Director of the U.S. Mint who admired the inventor and constitutional figure. The designs were put together by John R. Sinnock who was the chief engraver at the time and it was also the last full series to be made with decent silver content – 90%. From 1965, half dollar pieces were cladded in the precious metal only.
Design specifics
The coin bears the portrait of Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. The text "Liberty" and "In God We Trust" appears above and below Franklin's head, and there is a mint mark under the "E" of "United States of America" on the reverse at the top of the coin. The mint mark is "D" to signify the Denver mint. The coin itself is 30mm in diameter and 12.5g in weight with a reeded edge.
1951-D Franklin half dollar value and mintage
The 9 million mintage makes this 1951 Franklin half dollar a less common find. The numismatic value of it is thus a little more than a Philadelphia minted version, which bears no mint mark and has a high mintage. At auction, the coin has yielded $3,680 in a good condition, although the last recorded date for auction is as far back as 2004.
