The 1963 Franklin Half Dollar is one of the lesser-known coins in circulation today. Regardless, if you really want to know how much a 1963 Franklin Half Dollar is worth, keep reading!
The 1963 Franklin half dollar is a beautiful coin with an interesting story. This coin was first minted in 1948 and took on a life of its own which ended in the 1960s. It’s not uncommon to find collectors looking at coins from this period, such as Morgan Dollars and Peace Dollars. Or maybe even Mercury Dimes or Quarters.
The 1963 Franklin Half Dollar is one of the most famous American coins and is highly collectible. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how much you can expect to pay for a 1963 Franklin half dollar as well as what materials it is made out of.
1963 Franklin Half Dollar
According to the United States Mint’s guide to coin values, the 1963 Franklin Half Dollar is worth $10.19 in average condition and can be worth $14 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition. Proof coins are worth $22 or more.
The 1963-D Franklin Half Dollar is another version of the coin that went into circulation. In average condition, the 1963-D Franklin Half Dollar is worth $10.19. It can be worth $14 to $47 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.
The last year for Franklin half dollars was 1963. The US minted the 1963 half dollar with no mint mark, as well as the 1963 D half dollar. The mint mark, when present, can be found on the reverse side of the coin above the Liberty Bell’s yoke.
A fact is that many of the Franklin Half Dollars on the market today have been in circulation for several decades and have been exposed to extreme wear, aging, and erosion. However, with some luck, you can still find these half dollars in brilliant, uncirculated condition as well.
The U.S. Mint’s Franklin Half Dollar is one of the most popular silver coins in American history, as it pays tribute to Benjamin Franklin, considered one of the most important figures in American history.
| Mintage (P) (D) | (25,239,645) (67,069,292) |
| Metal Composition | 90% Silver – 10% Copper |
| Mass/Weight | 26.73 grams |
| Diameter | 38.1 mm |
| Thickness | 1.8 mm |
| Minted At | Philadelphia, Denver |
| Mint Marks | D |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Designer | John R. Sinnock |
1963 Ben Franklin Half Dollar – Short History
The Franklin half dollar was minted by the United States Mint from 1948 to 1963. The fifty-cent piece pictured Founding Father Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and a representation of the Liberty Bell on its reverse with a small eagle placed to its right to fulfill the legal requirement that half dollars depict this figure.
The Franklin half-dollar was produced from 90 percent silver with a reeded edge. The coin was struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints. However, the 1963 issue was only stuck at the Philadelphia and Denver mint. As of December 30, 2021, the melt value of this $0.50 coin was $8.37.
In 1947, Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross commissioned John R. Sinnock to create designs for a Franklin half dollar based on his earlier work. But before their completion, Sinnock died. The designs were completed by Gilroy Roberts and then released by the Mint in 1948.
In 1948 after the coins were released, it was rumored that Sinnock’s initials “JRS” on the cutoff at Franklin’s shoulder were a tribute to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin (Stalin’s middle did not begin with an ‘R’)… In spite of this, the Mint stated that the letters were simply the artist’s initials.
The same accusation was made after the release of a coin designed by Sinnock in 1946 called the (Roosevelt Dime) The coin was struck regularly until 1963 and replaced by the Kennedy half dollar beginning in 1964. Though legal tender, its value to collectors or silver (bullion value) greatly exceeds its face value.
On January 7, 1948, the Treasury announced plans to issue a new half dollar featuring Benjamin Franklin’s image. The press release noted Franklin’s reputation for frugality and hoped that the coin would serve as a reminder that spare cash should be used to purchase savings bonds and savings stamps.
Franklin became the fifth person and first non-president to be honored with a coin bearing his likeness, after Lincoln, Roosevelt, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.
The rush to collect half dollars ceased on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Many memorials were named after him, including public parks and streets in cities across America.
The assassination of John F. Kennedy caused the United States government to pay tribute to its slain president. To honor Kennedy, Congress decided to commemorate him on the Franklin Half Dollar, halting the production of the Franklin Half Dollar coin.
1963 Half Dollar Design
The design of the Franklin half Dollar was the work of John Sinnock. The portrait of one of the most highly recognized Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, is featured on this coin.
Obverse
The portrait of Benjamin Franklin appears on the obverse of the coin. His hair is long and curled at the shoulders, representing his growing popularity as an author and statesman. The phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears at the top of the coin, while “LIBERTY” appears at the bottom with the year of minting.
Reverse
On the reverse side of the Franklin half dollar is two symbols of American history: the Liberty Bell and an eagle. The Liberty Bell was mocked at first because of its fracture, however, it was accepted as a symbol of freedom. The small eagle was criticized as well in the initial response to the coin’s design, but the U.S. Mint went ahead with it anyway.
Amongst the eagle and bell are inscriptions “E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “HALF DOLLAR.” The coin’s design makes it one of the most symbolic coins ever produced.
1963 Half Dollar Value & Mint Marks
The 1963 Franklin Half dollars are both a numismatic and precious metals investment. This coin in circulated condition is worth at least its weight in silver. The silver melt value for this coin is $7.65 as of June 25, 2022; $7.65 represents the current silver spot price of $21.16 per ounce.
Proof coins with no mint mark are available and they are each valued at around $25 in PR 65 condition. In total, 3,075,645 proof coins were minted.
| 1963 Half Dollar Value By USA Coin Book | |||||||||
| Year | Mintage | G | VG | VF | EF 40 | AU 50 | MS 60 | MS 65 | PR 65 |
| 1963 P | 25,239,645 | $10.19 | $10.19 | $10.19 | $11.44 | $12 | $14 | $40 | $22 |
| 1963 D | 67,069,292 | $10.19 | $10.19 | $10.19 | $11.44 | $12 | $14 | $47 | – |
1963 P Half Dollar Value & Coin Chart
| Group | Half Dollars |
| Mintage | 25,239,645 |
| Metal Composition | 90% Silver – 10% Copper |
| Mass/Weight | 12.5 grams |
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Minted At | Philadelphia |
| Mint Mark | No |
| Edge | Reeded |
In average condition, an 1963 P Franklin half dollar is worth $10.19 in average condition and can be worth $14 to $40 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition. Proof coins can be worth $22 or more.
| 1963 P Half Dollar Value By JM Bullion | |
| Year | Extremely Fine |
| 1963 P | $14 |
| 1963 P Half Dollar Value By Coinstudy | ||||
| Year | Average Uncirculated | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated | Mint State |
| 1963 P | $7.31 | $7.31 | $7.31 | $10.04 |
| 1963 P Half Dollar Value By PCGS | |
| Grade | Price |
| VF 20 | $18 |
| XF 40 | $18 |
| AU 50 | $19 |
| AU 55+ | $19 |
| AU 58 | $19 |
| AU 58+ | $19 |
| MS 60 | $21 |
| MS 61 | $21 |
| MS 62+ | $21 |
| MS 63 | $24 |
| MS 63+ | $26 |
| MS 64 | $30 |
| MS 64+ | $32 |
| MS 65 | $36 |
| MS 65+ | $75 |
| MS 66 | $450 |
| MS 66+ | $1,300 |
| 1963 P Half Dollar Value By NGC Coins | |
| Grade | Price |
| G | $8.75 |
| VG | $8.75 |
| F | $8.75 |
| VF | $9 |
| XF | $9.25 |
| XF+ | $9.25 |
| AU 50 | $9.50 |
| AU 50+ | $9.50 |
| AU 53 | $9.50 |
| AU 53+ | $9.50 |
| AU 55 | $9.75 |
| AU 55+ | $10.25 |
| AU 58 | $10.75 |
| AU 58+ | $11.25 |
| MS 60 | $17 |
| MS 61 | $19 |
| MS 62 | $20 |
| MS 63 | $22 |
| MS 64 | $28 |
| MS 64+ | $32 |
| MS 65 | $50 |
| MS 65+ | $75 |
| MS 66 | $475 |
| MS 66+ | $1450 |
| MS 67 | $3125 |
Despite the figures given by various coin grading platforms, this coin has sold for high prices in auctions. Below are a few examples of 1963 P Franklin Half Dollar sold:
- 50C 1963 NGC MS66 Sold On August, 2020 for; $15,275.00
- 1963 50C MS66 Full Bell Lines PCGS Sold on Oct 7, 2021 for:$15,600.00
- 1963 50C MS66 NGC Sold on Jun 23, 2020 for: $288.00
1963 D Half Dollar Value & Coin Chart
| Group | Half Dollars |
| Mintage | 67,069,29 |
| Metal Composition | 90% Silver – 10% Copper |
| Mass/Weight | 12.5 grams |
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Minted At | Denver |
| Mint Mark | D |
| Edge | Reeded |
The silver half dollar, minted in 1963, is a popular and valuable coin with an estimated value of $10.19 in average condition and can be worth $14 to $47 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.
| 1963 D Half Dollar Value By JM Bullion | |
| Year | Extremely Fine |
| 1963 D | $14 |
| 1963 D Half Dollar Value By Coinstudy | ||||
| Year | Average Uncirculated | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated | Mint State |
| 1963 P | $7.31 | $7.31 | $7.31 | $10.04 |
| 1963 D Half Dollar Value By PCGS | |
| Grade | Price |
| VF 20 | $18 |
| XF 40 | $18 |
| AU 50 | $19 |
| AU 55+ | $19 |
| AU 58 | $19 |
| AU 58+ | $19 |
| MS 60 | $21 |
| MS 61 | $21 |
| MS 62+ | $21 |
| MS 63 | $24 |
| MS 63+ | $26 |
| MS 64 | $30 |
| MS 64+ | $32 |
| MS 65 | $38 |
| MS 65+ | $55 |
| MS 66 | $425 |
| MS 66+ | $2,150 |
| 1963 D Half Dollar Value By NGC Coins | |
| Grade | Price |
| G | $8.75 |
| VG | $8.75 |
| F | $8.75 |
| VF | $9 |
| XF | $9.25 |
| XF+ | $9.25 |
| AU 50 | $9.50 |
| AU 50+ | $9.50 |
| AU 53 | $9.50 |
| AU 53+ | $9.50 |
| AU 55 | $9.75 |
| AU 55+ | $10.25 |
| AU 58 | $10.75 |
| AU 58+ | $11.25 |
| MS 60 | $15.50 |
| MS 61 | $18 |
| MS 62 | $20 |
| MS 63 | $22 |
| MS 63+ | $24 |
| MS 64 | $28 |
| MS 64+ | $32 |
| MS 65 | $45 |
| MS 65+ | $65 |
| MS 66 | $625 |
| MS 66+ | $1550 |
Despite the fact that grading services offer conflicting figures for the 1963 D Ben Franklin Half Dollar, it has sold for high prices in auctions. Below are a few examples of 1963 D Franklin Half Dollar sold:
- 1963-D 50C MS67+ Full Bell Lines NGC: Sold on Jun 6, 2019 for: $16,800.00
- 1963 50C PR69 Deep Cameo PCGS: Sold on Jan 5, 2007 for:$4,600.00
- 1963-D 50C MS67 NGC: Sold on Feb 28, 2014 for:$2,820.00
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of a 1963 half dollar?
According to the United States Mint’s guide to coin values, the 1963 Franklin Half Dollar is worth $10.19 in average condition and can be worth $14 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition. Proof coins are worth $22 or more. While the 1963-D Franklin Half Dollar is another version of the coin that went into circulation. In average condition, the 1963-D Franklin Half Dollar is worth $10.19. It can be worth $14 to $47 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.
Is a 1963 half dollar real silver?
90% of the Franklin Half Dollar is made up of silver, the other 10% is made of copper. The silver melt value for this coin is $7.65 as of June 25, 2022.
Where is the mint mark on a 1963 Franklin Half Dollar?
For the 1963 Ben Franklin Half Dollar, the mint mark is only on the Denver issue and the mark can be seen on the reverse of the coin, just on the top of the bell.
Last Words
In general, how much a 1963 Franklin half dollar is worth is going to depend on a variety of different factors. What is the collector’s market like for Franklin half dollars? Because these coins have been around for so long and there are so many of them, you’re unlikely to see that same level of value for these coins as you would for other coins, like modern day collectibles.
But the 1963 Franklin half dollar still has some value in terms of future investment. The worth of the coin will depend heavily on its condition.
