1958-D Franklin Half Dollar
Pocket this mid-series version of a coin collectors' favorite with this 1958-D Franklin half dollar piece. The Benjamin Franklin half dollar series was minted from 1948 to 1963 as an ode to Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of America. John R. Sinnock started preparing the design for the half before his death in 1947 and they were completed by Gilroy Roberts. While it was minted at all three mints, the 1958-D Franklin was minted in Denver.
History
Sinnock prepared his designs on the request of the U.S. Mint Director and accounts state that the obverse portrait of Franklin was based on Sinnock's earlier work on a medal featuring the polymath, itself inspired by a bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon. The reverse, a depiction of the Liberty Bell, was later found to be based on a sketch by John Frederick Lewis. The bell with its visible crack was disliked by the Commission of Fine Arts, however, which disapproved of it on request of its opinion, for fear it would lead to derogatory statements on U.S. coinage. However, the Mint ignored its advice.
Design specifics
In addition to Franklin's portrait on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse, there is also a small eagle next to the bell, which was added as an afterthought to fulfill federal regulations. The mintmark "D" appears just above the bell's yoke, indicating its mintage in Denver. For some reason, 1958 Denver coins are rarer with full bell lines. The coin is 30mm in diameter and it is made of 90 percent silver with a reeded edge.
1958-D Franklin half dollar value and mintage
The 1958-D Franklin half dollar enjoys a mintage of around 23,962,412, which makes it an accessible collectible. It is still worth upward of $20 in a reasonable condition. A coin with full bell lines is worth more and an uncirculated superb gem has been sold for above $2,000.
