1959 Franklin Half Dollar Value: What Is Your Coin Worth?

The 1959 Franklin Half Dollar is worth anywhere from $12 in worn condition to over $5,000 for rare, high-grade specimens. Whether you found one in a drawer or inherited a collection, these 90% silver coins are highly prized by both silver stackers and numismatic collectors for their historic design.

Condition	Estimated Value (Philadelphia)	Estimated Value (Denver ‘D’)
Good to Very Fine (Circulated)	$12.00 – $15.00	$12.00 – $15.00
About Uncirculated (AU)	$18.00 – $25.00	$18.00 – $25.00
Mint State (MS63 – MS65)	$30.00 – $150.00	$35.00 – $180.00
Top Grade / Full Bell Lines	$500 – $3,000+	$600 – $5,000+

History and Composition of the 1959 Franklin Half Dollar

The 1959 Franklin Half Dollar features the iconic profile of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. If you are trying to identify this coin quickly, using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm the date and mint mark location in seconds. This series began in 1948 and ran until 1963, when it was replaced by the Kennedy Half Dollar following the President’s assassination.

Unlike modern coins that are mostly copper and nickel, the 1959 issue is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This gives the coin a “melt value” that fluctuates with the spot price of silver. Even if the coin is scratched, dented, or heavily worn, it will always be worth its weight in silver.

Collectors often look for “Full Bell Lines” (FBL), which refers to the horizontal lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell on the reverse. If these lines are crisp and uninterrupted, the coin’s value skyrockets. The CoinKnow app is a fantastic resource for learning how to spot these subtle details that separate a common coin from a premium rarity.

Identifying the Mint Marks and Production Numbers

In 1959, half dollars were produced at two locations: Philadelphia and Denver. The total production for this year was relatively high compared to earlier years in the series, making them accessible to modern collectors. The Philadelphia Mint produced 6,099,388 coins (including proofs), while the Denver Mint produced 13,053,750 coins.

To find the mint mark, flip the coin to the reverse side. Look just above the yoke of the Liberty Bell. If you see a small “D,” it was minted in Denver. If the space is blank, it was minted in Philadelphia. Knowing which mint your coin came from is the first step in determining the accurate 1959 half dollar value for your specific piece.

While Denver produced more coins that year, high-grade Philadelphia strikes can sometimes command a premium in the market due to differences in strike quality. Using CoinKnow to track recent auction results can give you a better idea of which mint is currently trending higher in the collector market.

Mint Location	Mint Mark	Mintage Quantity
Philadelphia	None	6,099,388
Denver	D	13,053,750

Determining the Condition and Grade of Your Coin

The “grade” of a coin is the most significant factor in its price. Professional graders use a scale from 1 to 70. Most 1959 half dollars found in change are “Circulated,” meaning they have lost some of their original detail. If your coin looks brand new and still has a shiny, “cartwheel” luster, it might be in “Mint State” (MS).

A Mint State coin (MS60 and above) has no wear on the high points of Franklin’s cheek or the wooden yoke of the bell. Because these coins were often bagged together, they frequently have “bag marks” or small scratches. The fewer the marks, the higher the price. You can find detailed 1959 Franklin Half Dollar MS grade prices to see how much a perfect specimen might fetch at auction.

If you aren’t sure of the grade, compare your coin to photos of certified coins. Look specifically at the lines on the Liberty Bell. Even a small amount of wear on these lines transition the coin from a premium collector item to a standard “junk silver” coin valued primarily for its metal content.

The “Full Bell Lines” (FBL) Premium

The holy grail for Franklin Half Dollar collectors is the “Full Bell Lines” designation. On the reverse of the coin, the Liberty Bell has two sets of horizontal lines near the bottom. On many 1959 coins, these lines are weak or blurry because the dies were worn out or the strike wasn’t strong enough.

An FBL coin must have complete, uninterrupted horizontal lines across the bottom of the bell. If there is any smoothing, a scratch that breaks the line, or a weak strike that makes the lines disappear, it will not receive the FBL designation from grading services like PCGS or NGC.

Grade	Standard Value	Full Bell Lines (FBL) Value
MS63	$25	$55
MS65	$60	$185
MS66	$150	$650
MS67	$900	$4,500+

1959 Proof Franklin Half Dollars

In addition to regular coins made for spending, the Philadelphia Mint produced 1,149,291 “Proof” coins in 1959. These were sold in special sets to collectors. Proof coins are struck twice on polished blanks, giving them a mirror-like finish and incredible detail.

If you find a 1959 half dollar that looks exceptionally shiny—almost like a mirror—it is likely a Proof. Some rare Proofs have a “Cameo” or “Deep Cameo” effect, where the portrait of Franklin looks frosted and white, while the background remains reflective. These Deep Cameo specimens are among the most valuable 1959 half dollars in existence.

The CoinKnow app can help you distinguish between a very shiny “Uncirculated” coin and a true “Proof” strike. While a standard Proof might sell for $25 to $40, a high-grade Deep Cameo Proof can easily surpass $1,000 in a professional auction setting.

What Should You Do With Your 1959 Half Dollar?

If you have discovered one of these silver treasures, the first rule is: Do not clean it! Cleaning a coin with polish or even soap and water can leave microscopic scratches that instantly destroy its numismatic value. Collectors prefer “original skin,” which is the natural patina or tarnish a coin develops over 60+ years.

Instead, place the coin in a protective sleeve or a “flip” to prevent further wear. If the coin looks to be in perfect condition or has the Full Bell Lines, you might consider having it professionally graded. However, remember that grading costs money (usually $30-$50 per coin), so it is only worth it if the coin’s estimated value is significantly higher than the fees.

For most people, a 1959 Franklin Half Dollar is a wonderful piece of American history and a great “store of value” due to its silver content. Whether you choose to sell it to a local coin shop or keep it as a family heirloom, you are holding 0.3617 ounces of pure silver in the palm of your hand.

Feature	Specification
Silver Content	90% Silver (.3617 oz)
Weight	12.50 Grams
Diameter	30.6 mm
Edge	Reeded

FAQ

Q: Is every 1959 half dollar made of silver?

A: Yes, every business-strike and proof-strike 1959 Franklin Half Dollar is made of 90% silver. The US Mint did not switch to copper-nickel “clad” compositions for half dollars until 1971 (though 1965-1970
Kennedy halves were 40% silver).

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1959 Franklin Half Dollar?

A: The mint mark is located on the reverse side of the coin, directly above the wooden yoke that holds the Liberty Bell. A “D” indicates Denver, while no letter indicates Philadelphia.

Q: How much is the silver in a 1959 half dollar worth?

A: As of current market rates, the silver melt value is usually between $9 and $11. This price changes daily based on the global spot price of silver. Even a coin in terrible condition is worth at least this much.

Q: What makes a 1959 half dollar “Rare”?

A: While the 1959 date itself isn’t rare, coins in “Mint State 66” or higher, or those with the “Full Bell Lines” (FBL) designation, are very rare and highly sought after by collectors.

Q: Should I use a coin app to check my 1959 half dollar?

A: Absolutely. Using CoinKnow or similar tools can help you identify errors and compare your coin’s condition to known high-value examples, ensuring you don’t accidentally spend a coin worth hundreds of dollars.