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Half Dollar

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US Coin - 1955 - Franklin Half Dollar - Philadelphia The image shown is the same design as the selected coin, though not necessarily the same year, mint or demonination.

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Common NameHalf Dollar
DenominationHalf Dollar
Year1955
MintPhiladelphia
SeriesFranklin Half Dollar
MaterialUS Coin Silver
Mintage2,498,181
Diameter (mm)0.0
Weight12.5
EdgeReeded



Designer: John R. Sinnock
Composition: 90% Silver - 10% Copper
History: After seeing a 1932 U.S. Mint medal prepared in Franklin's honor by John R. Sinnock, Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross had contemplated a coin honoring Benjamin Franklin. John R. Sinnock was the Mint's chief sculptor-engraver.

Demands made by World War II forced postponement of production changes, non-the-less, Ross (still enthusiasm for the project) directed Sinnock to design a Franklin coin on a contingency basis.

The federal Commission of Fine Arts (an advisory body) made several objections, first the objected to the eagle's size, they also disapproved of showing the crack in the Liberty Bell. They argued that "to show this might lead to puns and to statements derogatory to United States coinage.": the Treasury Department approved Sinnock's models without change. When the Franklin half dollar made its debut it completed the conversion of U.S. coin designs from allegorical figures (Lady Liberty) to portraits of famous Americans.

The Liberty Bell on the reverse of the Franklin Half Dollar made sense. Both were closely identified with the nation's birth and with the city of Philadelphia.

Item created by: Lethe on 2015-05-31 17:46:30. Last edited by gdm on 2020-04-17 07:43:45

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