1953-S Franklin Half Dollar PCGS Certified MS66

In 1947, U.S. Mint director Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman to hold that position, instructed Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock to prepare designs for a Franklin half dollar. She had always deeply admired Franklin, who himself was known to oppose portraits on coins, like many of the Founding Fathers. Sinnock based his designs on a Franklin medal he had created previously but died before he could fully adapt these designs to the new half dollar, which required completion by Sinnock’s successor, Gilroy Roberts.

The obverse features a right facing bust of Franklin, while the reverse shows a large rendition of the Liberty Bell and a smaller depiction of an eagle. The eagle was included to satisfy an old law requiring it to appear on all United States silver coins.

The Franklin half dollar was released to the public at noon on April 30th, 1948, the anniversary of George Washington’s 1789 presidential inauguration. Production of the new half dollar continued for 26 years, until it was replaced abruptly by the Kennedy half dollar. This coin was swiftly introduced following the President’s assassination on November 22nd, 1963 and signed into law on December 30th of that year, marking the end of the Franklin half dollar series.

Offered here is an early Franklin half dollar minted at San Francisco with frosty luster in Mint State 66 (out of 70) condition. You will receive the unique coin shown in the photos housed in plush-lined box with a certificate of authenticity.

The condition of a coin is officially graded on a 70-point scale according to standards set forth by the American Numismatic Association. Grades under 60 represent circulated grades, while grades from 60 through 70 represent uncirculated, or “mint-state” grades. Very few, if any, older coins are known to exist in perfect MS70 grade. The coin offered for sale in this listing has been certified by one or more leading certification services so you can be confident in its authenticity and stated condition.