Franklin Half Dollars: Key Dates, Full Bell Lines, and the “Bugs Bunny” Variety

Franklin half dollars (1948 to 1963) are 90% silver. Learn the key dates, what Full Bell Lines means, and the famous 1955 'Bugs Bunny' variety.

The Franklin half dollar is one of the shortest U.S. coin series, made for just 16 years. It’s 90% silver, it’s affordable to collect, and it has one of the most fun variety nicknames in the hobby. Here’s what to know.

1963-D Franklin half dollar, front
Franklin half dollars were made from 1948 to 1963 and are 90% silver.

The Basics

  • Made from 1948 to 1963, replaced by the Kennedy half in 1964
  • Designed by John R. Sinnock, the Mint’s chief engraver
  • Front: Benjamin Franklin. Back: the Liberty Bell, with a small eagle beside it (the law at the time required an eagle on the back of larger silver coins)
  • 90% silver, with about 0.36 troy ounces of pure silver
  • Struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The mint mark is on the back, above the Liberty Bell.

Key Dates

The Franklin series doesn’t have any extreme rarities, which makes it a great series to complete. The scarcer dates include:

  • 1949-S: The first San Francisco Franklin and a popular key.
  • 1953: One of the lower-mintage Philadelphia dates.
  • 1955: The lowest-mintage date in the series, and home to the “Bugs Bunny” variety.

The 1955 “Bugs Bunny”

Some 1955 Franklin halves show small marks at Franklin’s mouth that look like buck teeth. They came from a die clash: the dies hit each other without a coin between them, and part of the eagle’s wing on the back left marks near Franklin’s lips. Collectors nicknamed it the “Bugs Bunny” half. See die cracks, cuds, and die clashes.

1950-D Franklin half dollar, front and back, with Full Bell Lines
On a Full Bell Lines coin, the lines across the bottom of the bell are complete.

What “Full Bell Lines” Means

Look at the bottom of the Liberty Bell on the back. There’s a set of horizontal lines near the bottom. On sharply struck coins, those lines are complete across the bell. Graders call these Full Bell Lines (FBL). For uncirculated Franklins, FBL can add a significant premium.

What Common Franklins Are Worth

Worn Franklin halves trade mostly for their silver content. Bright uncirculated coins bring a premium, and coins with Full Bell Lines more. Proof Franklins from 1950 to 1963 were sold in proof sets and are popular too. See are old proof sets worth anything?

More guides: Walking Liberty halves, commemorative half dollars, Bicentennial coins, junk silver.

The Bottom Line

Every Franklin half dollar is 90% silver. The 1949-S, 1953, and 1955 are the dates to look for, and uncirculated coins with Full Bell Lines bring the best premiums. If you have a 1955, check for the “Bugs Bunny” teeth.

Have Franklin halves? JoCo Coin Shop offers honest, no-obligation appraisals across the Kansas City area. Contact me by phone, text, or email to get started.

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