1959 Franklin Half Dollar
Add this uncirculated 1959 Franklin half dollar to your coin collection. The silver coin was in production from 1948 to 1963 at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. Sometimes called the Franklin 50-cent piece, it features the prominent bust of the Founding Father, inventor, publisher, scientist, and diplomat.
History of the 1959 Benjamin Franklin half dollar
From 1948 to 1959, the Franklin 50-cent piece was the largest circulating coin for the year and the last in the series honoring contributors to America’s history. Prior to Franklin, the mint produced a Lincoln Cent in 1909, the Washington Quarter in 1932, Jefferson Nickel in 1938, and the Roosevelt Dime in 1946.
In addition, it was the last half dollar produced with 90% silver. The short, 16 years of production for Franklin’s 50-cent piece is also unique. For example, the Washington Quarter struck for the first time in 1932 is still being minted. In 1964, a half dollar honoring President John F. Kennedy was minted, replacing the Franklin half dollar.
Design details of the 1959 Benjamin Franklin half dollar
The 1959 Franklin 50-cent piece has a straight-forward design with Benjamin Franklin on the head and the classic cracked Liberty Bell. The half dollar was struck at either the Philadelphia Mint in 1959. It has a reeded edge that’s a diameter of 30.66 mm and a weight of 12.50g. The coin is 90% silver and 10% copper, and the total value of the silver is .3617 oz.
1959 Benjamin Franklin half dollar Value
The U.S. Mint in Denver produced the 13,053,000 half dollars in 1959. Less than half of the Franklin designs by John R. Sinnock, 6,200,000, were minted in Philadelphia in 1959. Overall, the 1959 Franklin half dollar is more valuable than newer coins. Ones minted prior to 1965 contain 90% silver.
