The Franklin half dollar was a United States silver coin minted from 1948 to 1963. Here's a breakdown of its key features and history:

Design:

• Obverse (front): Featured a profile portrait of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. This marked the first time a non-president appeared on a circulating U.S. coin.
• Reverse (back): Displayed the Liberty Bell, a symbol of American independence. A small eagle was included on the reverse to comply with the legal requirement for half dollars to depict an eagle.

Historical Context (1948-1963):

• Introduced to address a shortage of circulating silver coinage following World War II (1939-1945).
• Minted from 90% silver and 10% copper.
• Replaced by the Kennedy half dollar in 1964, which was minted with a less precious metal composition due to rising silver prices.

Composition and Mintage:

• Minted at three U.S. Mints: Philadelphia (no mintmark), Denver ("D" mintmark), and San Francisco ("S" mintmark).
• Produced in large quantities throughout its mintage period.

Popularity Among Collectors:

• Franklin half dollars are popular collectibles due to their:
  • Silver content (for earlier issues)
  • Historical significance
  • Variations in mint locations and year of issue
  • Beautiful design

Value:

The value of a Franklin half dollar depends on several factors:

• Condition: A well-preserved coin (higher grade) will be worth more than a worn one.
• Year of Issue and Mintmark: Certain years and mintmarks, particularly those with lower mintage numbers, can be more valuable.
• Silver Content: Earlier circulated Franklin half dollars (before 1965) have a higher silver content (90%) and can be worth more based on the current silver price.

Here's a general range for common circulated Franklin half dollars:

• $10 to $20 (depending on year and condition)

Uncirculated specimens, especially from the earlier years or with rare varieties, can be worth hundreds of dollars.