Images of Certified Franklin Half Dollars

Franklin Half Dollars are a popular series to collect in higher mint state grades. In many cases collectors will prefer coins that have been encapsulated and graded by PCGS or NGC, the two leading coin grading companies. The coins are sealed into plastic holders and assigned a numerical grade.

Coins which receive high grades or the designation Full Bell Lines, which refers to the appearance of uninterrupted horizontal lines on the Liberty Bell, can command significant premiums. For proof issues, coins which exhibit cameo or deep cameo contrast command premiums. There is competition for the highest graded pieces for each issue of the series.

Shown below are images of PCGS and NGC graded Franklin Half Dollars.



The 1952 Franklin Half Dollar shown above has been graded PCGS MS65FBL. The designation "FBL" refers to full bell lines. Generally, coins which have been fully struck will display uninterrupted horizontal lines on the bell located on the reverse of the coin.



The 1959-D Franklin Half Dollar shown above is graded NGC MS 65 FBL. In addition to the FBL designation, the coin has also received a green sticker from the Certified Acceptance Corporation. This company evaluates coins graded by PCGS or NGC and awards a sticker for those coins solid or premium for the grade.



This 1962 Franklin Half Dollar is a proof coin graded NGC PF 67 Cameo. Coins with cameo designation have frosted raised features and mirrored backgrounds on both sides of the coin. Cameo and deep cameo proof coins are generally more desirable than brilliant proof coins.