Guide
What is a Franklin half dollar worth?
Every Franklin half dollar, struck from 1948 to 1963, is 90% silver. We pay on its silver.
Updated October 28, 2026 · Prices as of November 2, 2026, 6:20 p.m. Pacific
What one is worth today
Silver is at $50.10 per troy ounce (the Kitco bid). A Franklin half holds about 0.36 troy ounces of silver. We pay 90% of the silver content for circulated coins: $16.12 each today.
About the Franklin half
The coin shows Benjamin Franklin on the front and the Liberty Bell on the back, designed by John Sinnock. It weighs 12.5 grams and is 90% silver. The Kennedy half replaced it in 1964.
Full bell lines and proofs
Collectors look for uncirculated Franklins with sharp, complete lines across the bottom of the Liberty Bell, which they call "full bell lines". Proofs were struck from 1950 to 1963. Don't clean them: cleaning can cut a collectible coin's value sharply.
U.S. silver coins: Dimes · Quarters · Half dollars · Walking Liberty · Franklin · Kennedy · Mercury dimes · Peace dollars · Silver dollars · Eisenhower dollars · War nickels · Junk silver · Canadian silver coins · Which coins are silver
Coin guides: Krugerrands · American Gold Eagles · American Gold Buffalos · Maple Leafs · Philharmonics · Britannias · American Silver Eagles · Sovereigns · Morgan and Peace dollars · Silver half dollars · Libertads · Pandas · Kangaroos · All 1 ozt gold coins · Mexican 50 pesos · Old U.S. gold coins · All gold coins · All 90% silver
We pay more for silver than pawn shops and jewelers, at a published percentage of the Kitco bid. The best place to sell silver
Your coins
See what your half dollars are worth.
Tell us how many you have, or send photos, for a free written estimate.