1962 Franklin Half Dollar Proof
Recover the penultimate year's version of this mid-20th century American coin with this 1962 Franklin half dollar proof. The Franklin series was minted between 1947 and 1963 but proofs were only minted between 1950 and 1963. The series is popular for its 90% silver content, and in proof condition with full bell lines (FBL) is both stunning and valuable.
History
The Franklin is one of the few U.S. coins that, at the time, was to feature the portrait of a well-known person. The U.S. Mint, and its director Natalie Tayloe Ross, admired and wanted the depiction of Benjamin Franklin on a coin – Franklin himself disliked the idea of people placed on coins – and after several false starts, the Mint's chief engraver John R. Sinclair got to work. While Sinclair passed away before completing the coin's design, Gilroy Roberts finished them. Accounts of the period reveal they were based on several other artists' creations as well as Sinclair's early work. Controversy followed the final design as they went forward despite disapproval from the Commission of Fine Art. The inclusion of Sinclair's initials "JRS" on the obverse also led some to construe them as Joseph Stalin's initials, which the Mint denied. The foreseen 25-year run of half dollar designs was cut short on Congressional approval to allow the Kennedy half dollar to take its place.
Design specifics
The coin features Franklin's likeness on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. A small eagle, as a nod to the Coinage Act of 1873, which mandated an eagle appear on all U.S. currency valued more than a dime, sits beside the bell. FBL versions are rarer but proof editions are well-preserved coins that are proof and maintain excellent condition.
1962 proof Franklin half dollar value and mintage
Over 3 million proofs were minted of the 1962 Benjamin Franklin half dollar proof. In good condition, they are valued around $20 but auctions have yielded around $2,000 previously.
