Historical Background
The Franklin Half Dollar features Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse, introduced in 1948 due to the advocacy of Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first female Director of the United States Mint (1933–1953). Despite legal requirements mandating an eagle on the reverse, Ross relegated it to a minor position to prioritize the Liberty Bell.
Initially, limited quantities were minted due to the large circulation of Walking Liberty Half Dollars. By the late 1950s, extensive use had worn down the master dies, producing coins with soft details. In 1960, the Mint reworked the master dies, improving detail on the obverse while the reverse continued to suffer from weak lines on the Liberty Bell.
Key Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Year of Issue | 1960 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Denomination | Half Dollar (50 Cents USD) |
| Mintmarks | None (Philadelphia) |
| Mintage | 6,024,000 |
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Weight | 12.5 g |
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Obverse Designer | John R. Sinnock |
| Reverse Designers | John R. Sinnock, Gilroy Roberts |
Value and Rarity
| Grade | With FBL Designation | Without FBL Designation |
|---|---|---|
| MS67 | $8,000–$28,200 | Rare (Few exist) |
| MS66+ | $1,880–$3,120 | $1,500–$2,000 |
| MS66 | $1,000–$1,200 | $800–$1,000 |
| MS64 | $50–$60 | $30–$40 |
Market Data & Noteworthy Specimens
| Grade/Cert | Auction House/Date | Price Realized | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCGS MS67FBL CAC #33954768 | Heritage Auctions, Aug 2016 | $28,200 | Ice blue centers, gold-orange toning |
| NGC MS67FBL #6277403-008 | Heritage Auctions, Feb 2022 | $7,800 | Russet toning, small hits |
| PCGS MS66+FBL #38130037 | Stack’s Bowers, June 2024 | $1,920 | Light toning, rim hit |
| PCGS MS66+FBL CAC #36314726 | GreatCollections, Feb 2019 | $1,880–$2,702.50 | Red-green-blue toning |
Design Elements
- Obverse: Features Benjamin Franklin, inspired by an 18th-century bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon. Includes “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date (1960).
- Reverse: Displays the Liberty Bell with an eagle to the right, designed by Sinnock and Gilroy Roberts. Key elements include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “HALF DOLLAR,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
The Franklin Half Dollar’s simple yet iconic design remains a sought-after piece in U.S. numismatics, especially in high-grade Full Bell Lines (FBL) condition.
FAQs for the 1960 Franklin Half Dollar Article
1. Who designed the Franklin Half Dollar?
The Franklin Half Dollar was designed by John R. Sinnock, with assistance on the reverse from Gilroy Roberts. Sinnock created the obverse design based on a bust of Benjamin Franklin by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.
2. Why does the reverse of the Franklin Half Dollar include an eagle?
By law, U.S. half dollars are required to feature an eagle. To comply, Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross placed a small eagle on the right-hand side of the reverse, next to the Liberty Bell.
3. What makes the 1960 Franklin Half Dollar significant?
The 1960 issue marked the reworking of the master dies, which improved detail on the obverse but left the Liberty Bell on the reverse with less defined lines. This year also has high collector demand due to the challenge of finding coins with Full Bell Lines (FBL).
4. What does “Full Bell Lines” (FBL) mean?
“Full Bell Lines” refers to the clarity of the horizontal lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell on the reverse. Coins with clear, unbroken lines are rarer and more valuable, especially in higher grades.
5. How many 1960 Franklin Half Dollars were minted?
The Philadelphia Mint produced 6,024,000 coins, and the Denver Mint produced 18,215,812. The Philadelphia coins do not have a mintmark.
6. What is the composition of the 1960 Franklin Half Dollar?
The coin consists of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it an intrinsic silver value.
7. How much is a 1960 Franklin Half Dollar worth today?
- Common Circulated Grade: Approximately $11.50 (based on silver content as of May 2024).
- MS64: $30–$40 without FBL, up to $60 with FBL.
- MS66+: Ranges from $1,920 to over $3,000 depending on auction results.
- MS67FBL: Extremely rare and valuable, with past sales ranging from $7,800 to $28,200.
8. How can I tell if my coin is from the Philadelphia or Denver Mint?
Philadelphia coins do not have a mintmark. Denver coins have a “D” mintmark located above the Liberty Bell’s wooden beam on the reverse.
9. Why are high-grade Franklin Half Dollars rare?
Many Franklin Half Dollars have surface abrasions, bag marks, or weak strikes, especially on the Liberty Bell. Finding coins with Full Bell Lines (FBL) in high grades like MS66 or MS67 is exceptionally difficult.
10. What are the dimensions and weight of the coin?
- Diameter: 30.6 mm
- Weight: 12.5 grams
- Edge: Reeded
11. What is the historical significance of the Franklin Half Dollar design?
The Franklin Half Dollar was the first U.S. coin to feature a non-president (Benjamin Franklin) on the obverse. It also symbolized American ideals of freedom and liberty with the Liberty Bell.
12. Why did the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) reject the original design?
The CFA disapproved of the design on aesthetic grounds, particularly the small eagle. However, Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross pushed the design forward, famously stating that the “public must accept it, like it or not.”