1952 Half Dollar Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?

1952 Half Dollar Value

The US Mint produced Franklin half dollars from 1948 to 1963. Pricing factors relevant to their value mainly include demand, coin availability and condition, speculative interest, precious metal content, and economic conditions.

Therefore, the 1952 half dollar value can vary from $10 to a few hundred or even thousand dollars on the market. Since coins minted this particular year are made of silver, they are worth something regardless of condition and the mint mark. However, pieces in the highest condition can bring you significant money. Let’s take a look.

1952 half-dollar value Chart

Condition 1952 half-dollar (No Mint mark) 1952 D half-dollar 1952 S half-dollar
Good $10.60 $10.55 $10.55
Very good $10.60 $10.55 $10.55
Fine $10.60 $10.55 $10.55
Very fine $10.60 $10.55 $13.50
Extra fine $11.80 $11.80 $15
AU $13.50 $13.50 $30
Mint state 60 $15 $15 $50
Mint state 65 $77 $145 $115
Proof 65 $260 / /

 

1952 Franklin Half-dollar Value Guides

About 90% of 52,195,673 Franklin half dollars produced in 1952 came from two mints, while the one in San Francisco minted the rest. The Philadelphia mint struck coins from regular strikes and a small number of proofs.

No Mint mark 1952 Franklin half-dollar

No Mint mark 1952 Franklin half-dollar

With 21,192,093 produced Franklin half dollars, the Philadelphia mint had a slightly lower mintage than Denver in 1952. These coins’ average price is $10 to $11 for low-grade pieces, but even those in the mint state are relatively inexpensive. You can buy most for $12 to $80.

1952 Franklin half-dollar value

Condition No Mint mark 1952 half-dollar 1952 D half-dollar 1952 S half-dollar
Very good $10 $10 $10
Fine $10 $10 $10
Very fine $10 $10 $10
Extra fine $10 $10 $20 to $31
AU $11 $11 $32 to $43
MS 60 $12 to $17 $12 to $17 $42 to $50.40
MS 61 $12 to $17 $12 to $17 $43 to $51.60
MS 62 $12.40 to $17.40 $12.40 to $17.40 $45 to $54
MS 63 $14.40 to $22.40 $14.40 to $22.40 $48 to $57.60
MS 64 $25 to $30 $26 to $31.20 $58 to $69.60
MS 65 $65 to $78 $100 to $120 $85 to $102
MS 66 $250 to $300 $440 to $505 $140 to $168
MS 67 $900 to $1,200 $2,600 $750

Halves in an MS 66 grade typically cost $250 to $300. Even though the best-rated ones are worth approximately $900 to $1,200 at the open market, they can reach even higher prices at auctions.

Things are even better with Full Bell Lines coins, and you should count on $1,500 to $2,000 when you want to buy one. The most pricey specimen struck in this mint is one of these with an MS 67+ rating. One collector purchased it for $42,300 in 2019.

1952 Franklin half-dollar proof

1952 Franklin half-dollar proof

Precisely 81,980 proof Franklin half dollars were from Philadelphia in 1952, besides the regular strikes. These coins can be costly, and you should set aside $75 to $630 for those in the mint state. 

1952 Franklin half-dollar proof value

Condition 1952 half-dollar 1952 CAM

half-dollar

1952 DCAM half-dollar
PR 58 $75 to $90 / /
PR 60 $90 to $108 $160 to $184 /
PR 61 $98 to $117.60 $180 to $207 /
PR 62 $110 to $132 $200 to $230 $750 to $850
PR 63 $120 to $144 $220 to $253 $1,000 to $1,150
PR 64 $130 to $156 $280 to $322 $1,800 to $2,000
PR 65 $180 to $207 $400 to $460 $3,000 to $3,450
PR 66 $300 to $345 $550 to $650 $6,000 to $7,000
PR 67 $600 to $630 $1,400 to $2,000 $15,000 to $17,250
PR 68 $1,400 to $2,000 $4,500 to $8,000 /
PR 69 $9,000 to $10,000 / /

While almost perfect coins can cost $1,400 to $10,000, the price of these with the deep cameo contrast can go up to $17,250. One such piece reached an impressive $18,800 at an auction in 2013.

1952 D Franklin half-dollar

1952 D Franklin half-dollar

With 25,395,600 produced Franklin half dollars, Denver had the highest mintage in 1952. These coins with the mint mark D typically cost $10 to $500, but dedicated collectors are prepared to pay the ultimate pieces in the highest grades, about $2,600.

As always, halves with Full Bell Lines are the most pricey, and you can expect to pay about $9,000 to $11,000 for one such piece. The most expensive 1952 D MS 67 FBL Franklin half-dollar cost even more, and one collector bought it for $18,800 in 2012.

1952 S Franklin half-dollar

1952 S Franklin half-dollar

In 1952, the San Francisco mint had a mintage of 5,526,000 Franklin half dollars with the struck letter S above the bell yoke on the reverse. Most of these coins cost $10 to $168, and even those in an MS 67 grade are worth $750.

That makes these coins affordable compared to specimens with the same rating struck in the other two mints. On the other hand, FBL pieces are expensive regardless of the rating, and you need to pay at least $600 for a coin in an MS 64 grade.

The estimated price of those with an MS 67 rating is $9,000 to $10,500, but one beautiful coin fetched double the price at auction. One collector set aside $25,850 for the 1952 S MS 67 Franklin half-dollar with Full Bell Lines in 2014.

Related Posts: 26 Most Valuable Half Dollar Coins In Circulation

1952 Franklin Half-dollar Errors

Like all coin series, Franklin half dollars struck in 1952 also have a few imperfections and varieties, but they are not truly rare. The most famous are two, including:

Full Bell Lines

1952 Franklin Half-dollar
Image Credit: ebay

 

Half dollars with the Liberty Bell featuring complete horizontal lines are a relatively rare variation. In most cases, these coins cost about 50% more than those from the regular strike.

However, many are even more expensive. For instance, one such piece minted in Philadelphia won a record $42,300 at an auction in 2019.

1952 FBL Franklin half-dollar value

Condition No Mint mark 1952 FBL half-dollar 1952 D FBL half-dollar 1952 S FBL half-dollar
MS 64 $35 to $42 $40 to $48 $600 to $700
MS 65 $110 to $132 $125 to $150 $900 to $1,500
MS 66 $350 to $402.50 $450 to $556.60 $1,500 to $2,250
MS 67 $1,500 to $2,000 $9,000 to $11,000 $9,000 to $10,500

Bugs Bunny

1952 Franklin Half-dollar
Image Credit: uscoinsandjewelry

This funny error is typical for the Franklin half-dollar set. However, coins struck in 1952 never had significant imperfections like those produced three years later. However, you can earn a few bucks if you have one.

This error type resulted from the obverse and reverse dies clashing without a piece of metal in between. That made the atypical design parts transfer possible. In this particular case, you can see a part of the eagle’s wings struck next to Franklin’s upper lip, resembling a bunny tooth.

Related Posts: 17 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money

History of the 1952 Franklin Half-dollar

The US Mint produced millions of Franklin half dollars from 1948 through 1963, making most pieces common. However, this series is the last one containing 90% silver, securing them a special place in American coinage history.

The Franklin half-dollar design was based on Benjamin Franklin’s bust statue, which Jean A. Houdon created in the 18th century. On the other hand, Americans didn’t like the coin reverse because of a crack on the Liberty Bell, although the image was a full copy of the real bell kept in front of Independence Hall in Pennsylvania.

1952 Franklin half-dollar

Location Year Minted
Philadelphia 1952 half-dollar (No Mint mark) 21,192,093
Philadelphia 1952 proof half-dollar 81,980
Denver 1952 D half-dollar 25,395,600
San Francisco 1952 S half-dollar 5,526,000
Total / 52,195,673

These coins were crucial for the US economy in those times, but collectors nowadays avoid them because of their lackluster design. However, the 1952 Franklin half dollars appeared due to the stable economy and are still valuable pieces of our history.

Related Posts: 18 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollars Worth Money

How to Identify 1952 Franklin Half-dollar?

The Franklin half-dollar minting lasted from 1948 to 1963. Since coins struck in 1952 are made of silver, they are collectible regardless of condition and mintage.

The 1952 Franklin half-dollar obverse

The 1952 Franklin half-dollar obverse

The 1952 Franklin half-dollar is a beautiful American coin with one of the most beloved Founding Fathers on the obverse. John R. Sinnock placed Benjamin Franklin’s bust in the coin center, surrounded by inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY. The minting year is in front of the portrait facing right.

The 1952 Franklin half-dollar reverse

The 1952 Franklin half-dollar reverse

The complicated and stylish reverse design includes a centrally positioned Liberty Bell. Some Americans resented the visible crack, but it made the bell authentic since the original bell cracked after the first test ring in 1752.

The saying, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and a small eagle are on both sides of the central image. On the other hand, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination surround the entire composition. Coins minted in San Francisco and Denver also have the tiny mint mark above the yoke.

1952 Franklin half-dollar

Face value Fifty cents ($0.50)
Shape Round
Compound Silver and copper in a 90%: 10% ratio
Coin thickness 0.07088 inches (1.8 mm)
Coin diameter 1.20511 inches (30.6 mm)
Coin weight 0.40190 troy ounces (12.5 g)
Silver weight 0.36170 troy ounces (11.25)
Edge Reeded

Other features of the 1952 Franklin half-dollar

This round silver fifty-cent coin with a reeded edge has a diameter of 1.20511 inches (30.6 mm) and is 0.07088 inches (1.8 mm) thick. It contains a high percentage of silver, and each the coin weighing 0.40190 troy ounces (12.5 g) has 0.36170 troy ounces (11.25) of precious metal.

What feature makes a 1952 Franklin half-dollar scarce?

Since coins minted in 1952 are considered modern, you shouldn’t expect them to be particularly rare. Only a few halves with Full Bell Lines are scarce, making them highly collectible.

Which 1952 Franklin half-dollar is particularly costly?

  • 1952 MS 67+ FBL Franklin half-dollar won a record $42,300 at LRC Auctions in 2019
  • 1952 S MS 67 FBL Franklin half-dollar won a record $25,850 at Heritage Auct. in 2014
  • 1952 PR 67 Franklin half-dollar (DCAM) won a record $18,800 at Heritage Auct. in 2013
  • 1952 D MS 67 FBL Franklin half-dollar won a record $18,800 at Stacks Bowers in 2012
  • 1952 PR 68 Franklin half-dollar (CAM) won a record $15,275 at Heritage Auct. in 2017
  • 1952 D MS 67 Franklin half-dollar won a record $10,000 on eBay in 2022
  • 1952 S MS 67+ Franklin half-dollar won a record $6,499 on eBay in 2019
  • 1952 PR 67+ Franklin half-dollar won a record $4,999 on eBay in 2021
  • 1952 MS 66+ FBL Franklin half-dollar (Scarface) won a record $4,250 on eBay in 2020
  • 1952 MS 67 Franklin half-dollar won a record $3,408 at Heritage Auct. in 2015
  • 1952 MS 65+ FBL Franklin half-dollar (Bugs Bunny) won a record $3,150 on eBay in 2021
  • 1952 MS 63 Franklin half-dollar (Bugs Bunny) won a record $2,447 on eBay in 2011
  • 1952 PR 66 Franklin half-dollar (Bugs Bunny) won a record $1,800 at Heritage Auct. in 2018
  • 1952 D MS 65 FBL Franklin half-dollar (Booger variety) won a record $1,250 on eBay in 2021

What is the average No Mint mark 1952 Franklin half-dollar price?

Most survived 1952 Franklin half dollars coins spending years in circulation come with an average price of $10 to $11. Those in the mint state cost $12 to $300, but the best-rated pieces can reach $900 to $1,200 at auctions. The most pricey are halves with Full Bell Lines, and collectors are prepared to pay $1,500 to $2,000 for such halves.

One Comment

  1. I have a 1952 Franklin half dollar with an upside down liberty bell in the back. Would this be a valuable coin? Thank you.

    Susan B.

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