Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States, but his role was far from the battlefields or the halls of Congress throughout much of his career. Franklin was an inventor and writer, and more importantly, an overseas diplomat currying favor for the American cause during the Revolution. Right now, the 90% Silver Franklin Half Dollar is available from Harvard Gold Group.

Coin Highlights:
• Cir Silver Franklin Half Dollars are great for emergency money. Many investors buy them as back-up money for barter and trade.
• Bears a face value of $.50 (USD) backed by the federal government.
• Obverse: Depicts a profile of Ben Franklin facing right. "LIBERTY" is above Franklin’s bust with the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" below. The date is to Franklin’s right.
• Reverse: Depicts the Liberty Bell with the Legend above. Below is the denomination with "E Pluribus Unum" to the left of the bell. An eagle with its wings spread on is to the bell’s right.
• Designed by John R. Sinnock.

The path to appearance on coinage for Benjamin Franklin was a complicated one. Under an 1890 statute, coin designs could not be changed without Congressional approval unless the design had been in service for 25 years including the first issue year.

Starting in 1933, US Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross wanted to see the man she admired on the nation’s coinage. However, the quarter had just been redesigned in 1932 to feature George Washington. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar and Mercury Dime could be changed without Congressional approval in 1940, but World War II interfered.

The high demand for coins during World War II made it difficult to replace designs, with the half dollar and dime eligible as of 1940. In 1946, the dime was redesigned to honor the recently deceased President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

That left the Walking Liberty Half Dollar to be replaced with Franklin’s likeness. Benjamin Franklin appeared on the obverse of the half dollar from 1948 until 1964, when his image was replaced by that of the assassinated John F. Kennedy. Franklin’s right-profile portrait was created by mint engraver John R. Sinnock, who also created a Liberty Bell design for the reverse.

The reverse side of the 90% Silver Franklin Half Dollars was dominated by the Liberty Bell, an iconic landmark of Franklin’s hometown of Philadelphia, PA. However, US law dictated that the American bald eagle must appear on the reverse of all half dollars, so a small heraldic eagle was put in on the bell’s right.

Cir Franklin Silver Half Dollars are great for emergency money. Many investors buy them as back-up money for barter and trade. The coins were struck between 1948 and 1964. Silver Kennedy half dollars, the Franklin half dollar, and Liberty half dollars are the variety these half dollars come in and an excellent store of value. Americans buying gas in 1964 could have purchased 1.667 gallons of gasoline for fifty cents -- the face value of one of these coins. Today, these coins have a value that is greater and will buy you more gas. The fiat dollar may buy dramatically less, but the purchasing power of silver has held up as a better form of money.

These coins are "honest" money. They have worked well to protect investors from the destruction of the fiat US dollar in the decades since politicians and central bankers abandoned the gold and silver standard that once underpinned our currency.

To ensure the safe arrival of your purchase, Harvard Gold Group ships each mailing package discreetly with security in mind. Additionally, every mailing is insured so customers will be fully compensated in the rare event that their package is damaged or goes astray in the mail. The coins in this listing come in a canvas bag. We'll provide you with a tracking number when they are ready to ship.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Harvard Gold Group with your questions toll-free at 844-977-GOLD, via email, or by filling out the online form.