1950 Franklin Half Dollar

The Franklin Half Dollar fifty-cent piece features a simple design with wonderful attention to detail. These fifty-cent pieces were minted from 1948-1963, and feature the profile of Benjamin Franklin as well as the Liberty Bell and eagle.

The 1950 Franklin Half Dollar has been exchanged for over 65 years, and with its age these coins may have some age-related wear and tear on their surfaces. As a coin that was originally intended for circulation, it is not surprising that many of these coins available today show their age. Franklin Half Dollars can, however, still be found in brilliant, uncirculated condition. Such coins look fresh off the mint’s presses, and coins in this condition may be more valuable.

Grading the 1950 Franklin Half Dollar

The grading of a coin is an intricate process that involves many steps. Teams of expert coin graders put coins through the grading process. This process will verify the coin’s metal content as well as its authenticity. A number of visual inspections will also be performed. In the end, however, it is these graders that will assign a final grade to a coin. You can get a great idea of how your coin may be graded by performing a close inspection of the coin’s surfaces while keeping an eye out for any scratches or imperfections.

Use the specifications below to determine how your Franklin Half Dollar coin might be graded.

Uncirculated: Coins that are in uncirculated condition will have surfaces and details that look new and unscathed. Uncirculated coins are essentially in brand new condition and show no signs of having been touched or handled. All images and text are fully intact and have not experienced any erosion. In fact, these coins look and feel as if they were just minted today. You can examine your own coins with a magnifying glass to see if any of the coin’s details have scratches or damage. Looking at the coin’s eagle, for example, can give you a good idea as to the coin’s condition.

Extremely Fine: A coin in extremely fine condition may have some minor imperfections on the surface. Text or imagery on the coin may show some erosion, and the coin’s finish may not have the same luster. Some of these imperfections may be visible, while some are not. That being said, a coin in extremely fine condition is just one step below uncirculated, and will still be visually appealing and potentially very valuable.

Fine: A coin that is in fine condition has some significant damage. The coin’s surfaces may feel eroded, and the text or images may also show wear and tear. The color or tone of the coin may be affected as well, and these coins may lack shine or luster.

Good: A coin that is in good condition may be very worn and have significant scratches or dents. The coin’s color may also appear faded. Sometimes, coins in good condition require a magnifying glass or microscope to see and identify the details. Even with these imperfections, coins in fine condition may be very valuable and may be coveted by collectors and coin enthusiasts depending on the coin type and other factors.

1950 Franklin Half Dollar Pricing

As stated previously, the 1950 edition of the Franklin Half Dollar is fairly easy to acquire from precious metals dealers. A 1950 edition half dollar can start around $13 in very fine condition, and may trade for about $1 more if in extremely fine condition. Prices may rise from this level according to the coin’s grade and overall condition.