1949-S Franklin Half Dollar

The United States Mint produced the Franklin Half Dollar from 1948 through 1963. Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross commissioned Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock to design the coin. Sinnock used his previous work on the Sesquicentennial of American Independence half dollar as the model for the portrait of Benjamin Franklin. The reverse features the Liberty Bell and a small eagle, which Congress required by law. The Mint replaced the eagle with a small star to balance the design after the Commission of Fine Arts criticized the original layout. Production of the Franklin Half Dollar ended abruptly in 1963. President John F. Kennedy died in November of that year, and Congress passed legislation to replace the Franklin design with a portrait of Kennedy. The Mint struck the final Franklin halves in 1963, only 16 years after the series began. The coin contains 90% silver and 10% copper, making it a common target for silver melters in later decades.

Focus your search on the Full Bell Lines designation, which requires the horizontal lines on the bottom of the Liberty Bell to show complete detail without weakness. You should start your collection with common dates like 1957, 1958, or 1959, which are easy to find in uncirculated condition for under $30. Avoid coins with heavy bag marks on Franklin's cheek or the bell, as these flaws lower the grade significantly. Watch for coins with artificial toning, as some sellers treat these pieces to hide surface scratches or improper cleaning.