Lot 446
1961 Franklin Half Dollars Philadelphia
Sold December 12, 2025
- Price realized
- $65
Price realized is the winning bid (hammer price) and excludes buyer’s premium.
About this lot
Estimated Value: $80-200
Origin: United States
Denomination: Fifty Cents
Year: 1961
Mint: Philadelphia
Grade/Condition: MS
Metal: Silver
Weight (+/- 0.2g): Estimated Total: 58.7 Grams
Additional Description: e 1961 Franklin Half Dollar from the Philadelphia Mint reflects a modern yet dignified chapter in U.S. silver coinage. Designed by John R. Sinnock, the obverse features a solemn portrait of Benjamin Franklin, capturing both his intellect and quiet gravitas, while the reverse presents the iconic Liberty Bell, flanked by a small eagle to satisfy the law requiring a bird on half dollars.
Struck in 90 percent silver, the 1961 Philadelphia issues were produced in large numbers, yet coins in well-preserved or uncirculated condition display remarkable detail and luster. The smooth surfaces and sharp relief allow collectors to appreciate the fine artistry of Sinnock’s design, from the delicate lettering on the bell to the subtle expression on Franklin’s face.
As part of a series that spanned 1948 to 1963, the 1961 half dollar stands as a mid-point example, embodying both the postwar stability of the United States and the elegance of twentieth-century coin design. In hand, it conveys a sense of historical continuity, bridging the revolutionary ideals Franklin represented with the modern era of American numismatics.
Lot details
- Lot
- 446
- Auction
- Gold and Silver Showcase
- Closed
- December 12, 2025
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