1963 U.S. Franklin 90% Silver Half Dollar – Mint State Condition

A silver U.S. Franklin half dollar from 1963. These coins are in Mint State Brilliant Uncirculated condition, with no wear and strong luster. The obverse side of the coin features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, notable eccentric and Founding Father. The reverse side of the coin features the Liberty Bell.

The Franklin half dollar series was the successor of the Walking Liberty half dollar series and the predecessor of the Kennedy half dollar series. The coin was the brainchild of U.S. Mint director Nellie Ross, an admirer of Franklin, who felt a replacement was needed for the “outdated” Walking Liberty design (first minted in 1916). After the first draft of the Franklin half design was completed, the Mint realized that a law from 1873 dictated that all coins of higher value than a dime must feature an eagle within their design. Rather than abandoning the Liberty Bell reverse, the Mint decided to insert a small eagle to the right of the bell. As some historians noted, Franklin himself would have disapproved of the coin, as he opposed featuring portraits of men on the first American coins and instead favored coin designs featuring thought-inspiring proverbs.

Each coin measures 30.6mm in diameter, weighs 12.5g, and is made of .900 fine silver