50 Cent Coin

Circulating Coins

Year of Issue: 1794 to Present
Authorizing Legislation: Coinage Act of 1792

Background

The “Kennedy” theme is the current design of the U.S. 50-cent coin. The U.S. Mint first issued this design in 1964, the year after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The obverse (heads) shows an image of Kennedy based on a portrait prepared for his presidential medal. The Presidential Seal appears on the reverse (tails).

Jaime Hernandez:. The 1974 Kennedy Half Dollar is a very common coin as the Mint struck a little over 200 million examples for circulation. The mintage is also more than double than that of the Denver struck Kennedy Half Dollars from the same year. Kennedy Half Dollar Coin Legislation April 3, 2017 - Public Law 88-256 88th Congress, H.R. 9413 December 30, 1963 77 STAT. An Act To provide for the coinage of 50-cent pieces bearing the likeness of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. 1) Bullion Silver, your half dollar is worn however heavy with precious metal, value well above fifty cents. 2) Uncirculated Condition: No wear to the surface, minimum collector grade. 3) A step up in the collector grade of uncirculated are those considered choice; notable for bright luster and only light marks to the surface. The World Coin Price Guide was independently compiled by Active Interest Media’s NumisMaster. In some cases, NGC has made adjustments or edits to the prices, descriptions and specifications. NGC makes the World Coin Price Guide available to its website visitors as a free service, but in no way does the information provided represent NGC’s. The main job of the Coin Coalition, in fact, is lobbying for a dollar coin to replace the failed Susan B. Anthony coin — doomed, depending on whom you talk to, either by its similarity in size to a quarter or by the failure of the government to withdraw dollar bills upon introducing it.

The Mint made the first half dollar in 1794 of silver. The designs from 1794 to 1947 showed a woman symbolizing liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. 1947 was the last year that Liberty appeared on a U.S. circulating coin.

From 1916 to 1947, the Mint produced the “Walking Liberty” half dollar designed by Adolph A. Weinman. Weinman also designed the iconic Mercury dime. The obverse shows the figure of Liberty walking with her right arm extended and holding laurel and oak branches in her left. She’s draped in the folds of the American flag while the sun rises in the background. The reverse features an eagle with unfolded wings perched on a rock. A pine branch grows from the rock.

In 1948, an image of Benjamin Franklin replaced Liberty on the obverse of the half dollar. The reverse depicted the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. A temporary reverse featuring Independence Hall – also in Philadelphia – appeared in 1975 and 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. The reverse returned to the Liberty Bell until the last year of its design in 1963.

In 1971, the Mint removed silver from the half dollar and the composition became copper-nickel clad.

Since 2002, half dollars have been minted each year as part of annual coin sets and other numismatic products but not released into circulation.

Other Circulating Coins:

Penny Nickel Dime Quarter

Characteristics

Obverse (heads): Shows a profile of President John F. Kennedy based on a portrait prepared for his presidential medal.
Reverse (tails): Depicts the Presidential Seal. It consists of a heraldic eagle with a shield holding an olive branch and a bundle of 13 arrows. The olive branch symbolizes peace and the arrows symbolize war. A ring of 50 stars to represent the states surrounds the design.

Obverse Inscriptions

LIBERTY
IN GOD WE TRUST
Year

Reverse Inscriptions

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HALF DOLLAR
E PLURIBUS UNUM

Mint and Mint Mark

Specifications

Composition	Weight	Diameter	Thickness	Edge	No. of Reeds
Cupro-Nickel Balance Cu	11.340 g	30.61 mm	2.15 mm	Reeded	150

Artist Information

Obverse

Sculptor: Gilroy Roberts

Reverse

Sculptor: Frank Gasparro

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90

Today's minimum 1959 Franklin half dollar value is $9.06 each. This is for a coin with noticeable wear, what is referred to as 'average circulated' condition.

Higher collector value is found in the 'uncirculated' grade. A coin that never saw use and is in the same condition it left the mint.

Your 1959 half dollar is worth either a strong bullion silver price or a higher collectible value. The difference is in accurately determining its condition. If put away in a coin album by a collector long ago, many of these old half dollars are enjoying the higher collector demand.

Pictured is a sought after coin, never circulated, still bright with original mint luster. Popularity is growing for the series and Franklin half dollars in higher condition are now realizing high values.

Two important sections to see below...

1) Grading the condition of your old Franklin half dollar

2) Auction highlight of a very rare 1959 half dollar

1959 is a year condition plays a major role.

Two mints struck half dollars in 1959, the Philadelphia and Denver mints. A 'D' mintmark on the reverse identifies the Denver mint. These marks are small and just below the E in STATES on the reverse.

Although 1959 Franklin half dollar value is the same for either mint, their mintage totals are far from the same. Twice as many Denver coins were produced. Will a premium develop for the lower mintage Philadelphia half? Perhaps, values have separated with the same situation in older series of half dollars.

1959 Franklin Half Dollar Value
Condition of Coin
Date	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1959 Franklin Half Dollar Value Updated			2/8/2021
1959	$9.06	$9.06	$9.06	$12.45
1959 D	$9.06	$9.06	$9.06	$12.45

Why Value is Well Above Silver Content

Your 1959 Franklin half dollar value is in one of four ranges.

1) Bullion Silver, your half dollar is worn however heavy with precious metal, value well above fifty cents.

2) Uncirculated Condition: No wear to the surface, minimum collector grade.

3) A step up in the collector grade of uncirculated are those considered choice; notable for bright luster and only light marks to the surface.

4) Superb Gems; these are stunning in appearance; few if any marks visible without magnification, unusually bold strikes, and often wonderfully toned.

Often elite condition Franklin halves are only brought to market via a rare coin auction. It is within these settings collectors have an opportunity to add a truly remarkable coin to their collection.

When the half dollar pictured was offered in a David Lawrence auction it drew bidding from collectors intent on finding the best possible example of a 1959 Franklin. Final bid was $138. An unquestioned gem at the top of the value scale.

Grading Condition Finds Accurate 1959 Franklin Half Dollar Value

An essential part to deciding on how much your coin worth is condition. In the hobby judging condition and assigning a grade is done for every coin. Follow the descriptions and compare your coins to the grading images, soon you develop an idea of the grades in the upper values.

Uncirculated: Take your time here, 1959 Franklin half dollar value is highest if in 'uncirculated' condition. No wear to the surface defines the uncirculated grade. When first minted all coins display mint luster, this luster radiates in bands when the coin is tilted. Also delicate, luster it is the first to wear and show signs of use. Examine both the lower edge of the Liberty bell and the cheek area below Franklin's eye for any breaks in luster.

About Uncirculated: Once the high points of the design begin to wear a coin is graded as 'about uncirculated' condition. Any wear to coin removes it from the collectible value and into the bullion value range. The cheek of Franklin just below the eye typically shows the first signs of wear. Also confirm only light wear present on the shoulder, it shows as a dulling to the shine without much removal of metal. On the revers, the lettering in the center of the Liberty bell is the first to show the dulling from wear.

Average Circulated: In the 'average circulated' condition wear has removed all mint luster, your coin is a nice light silver grey. The important aspect of this grade; wear covers the entire surface. The reverse is the easiest to judge, focusing your attention on the center of the Liberty bell the lettering is completely gone, although since you know is was once there it may appear just slightly raised in the area. In worn condition 1959 Franklin half dollar value is tied to silver and currently worth $9.06 .

Coin Values CoinStudy Articles

Date by Date
In Depth Franklin Half Dollar Value
1948 to 1963

1948	1952	1956	1960
1949	1953	1957	1961
1950	1954	1958	1962
1951	1955	1959	1963

Traditionally Franklin half dollar value moves in line with the price of silver. However, a few rare dates and mint marks stand out, if found in high condition. Compare you coins to the grading images and separate then by condition. Follow your coin's value on the silver charts, and check for rare dates and mint marks.

Half dollars are widely collected, spanning several series, hundreds of years and a huge range in values. Charts listing the Bust, Seated design, the Barber series show all are highly valued. Continue with Walking Liberty and Franklin half dollars. Of special importance is the condition of your coins, see grading images for each series and value your coins in detail.

★Return to Coin Values Discovery... find 1959 Franklin half dollar value and... a complete index of image and text links to all US Coin series, from Cents to Gold. Old coins retain a strong collector following. Walking Liberty halves are an example highlighing the value of silver in old coins. Additiionally, within each series are rare date and mintmark combinations with even greater demand. Revisit your box of old coins, today's value charts show a steady increase.

50 Cent Coin Size

Minimum Silver Value A Good Place to Start

Most Valuable 50 Cent Coin

Many of your old US silver coin values are tied closely to the price of silver. Pre 1965 silver dimes, quarters, half dollars and silver dollars are all heavy with 90% silver and worth many times their face value. With today's high value of silver; $26.90 per ounce as of 2/8/2021 your old half dollars are becoming surprisingly valuable. Today's Minimum Silver Coin Values