Franklin Half Dollar Melt Value Today
Current melt value: $23.71 per coin
Last updated: 8/11/2026, 4:51:42 AM · Live data
Franklin Half Dollar Melt Value Calculator
Prices last updated: 8/11/2026, 4:51:42 AM
Dealers typically pay 80–95% of melt for common silver coins.
| Franklin Half Dollar Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Years Minted | 1948–1963 |
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Fineness | 0.9 |
| Total Weight | 12.50 g |
| ASW (Silver Content) | 11.250 g (0.3617 ozt) |
| Face Value | $0.50 |
| Current Melt Value | $23.71 |
How to Identify the Silver Version
All Franklin Halves are 90% silver. The edge is reeded. Look for the mintmark above the bell on the reverse: "D" for Denver, "S" for San Francisco, no mintmark for Philadelphia. Franklin's portrait on the obverse is unmistakable.
Key Dates — Do Not Sell for Melt
1950, 1950-D (low mintage). The 1955 "Bugs Bunny" die clash variety is collectible. Full Bell Lines specimens carry premiums in all dates. Most circulated Franklin Halves trade near melt.
About the Franklin Half Dollar
The Franklin Half Dollar was minted from 1948 to 1963, designed by John R. Sinnock. It was the first US coin to feature a real person who was not a president — Benjamin Franklin appears on the obverse, and the Liberty Bell is on the reverse. A small eagle was added to the reverse to satisfy the legal requirement that eagles appear on US coins.
Each Franklin Half contains 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver, the same as the Walking Liberty Half it replaced and the Kennedy Half that followed. The total weight is 12.5 grams at 90% silver. The melt value is the silver content multiplied by the current spot price, shown in the spec table above.
Franklin Halves were struck at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The series is relatively short and most dates are common, which means circulated examples trade close to melt value. The primary numismatic distinction is "Full Bell Lines" (FBL) — coins where the horizontal lines on the Liberty Bell on the reverse are fully struck and visible. FBL specimens carry premiums.
The 1955 Franklin Half has a "Bugs Bunny" variety — a die clash on the obverse that resembles rabbit teeth near Franklin's mouth. While not a key date, it is popular with variety collectors. The series ended in 1963 when the Kennedy Half was rushed into production following the assassination of President Kennedy.
Franklin Half Dollar FAQ
What is the melt value of a Franklin Half Dollar?
The melt value is 0.3617 troy ounces of silver multiplied by the current spot price. Use the calculator on this page for the exact value.
Are all Franklin Half Dollars 90% silver?
Yes. Every Franklin Half minted from 1948 to 1963 is 90% silver. The series ended before the 1965 switch to clad coinage.
What are Full Bell Lines on a Franklin Half?
Full Bell Lines (FBL) means the horizontal lines on the Liberty Bell on the reverse are fully struck and visible. FBL coins carry a premium over non-FBL specimens in the same grade. Most circulated Franklin Halves do not have FBL.
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