1948 Franklin Half Dollar

The Franklin Half Dollar is a silver coin with historical significance and remains in demand to this day. Although these coins were minted for a 15 year period, some of the early editions were minted in limited quantities and may be appealing to collectors and coin enthusiasts alike.

Because these coins were now minted over a half century ago, many of the coins available on the market today will have noticeable signs of wear and tear. As a circulation coin, these coins have exchanged hands many times over throughout the years. There are, however, also Franklin Half Dollars available that remain in brilliant, uncirculated condition as well. While some do not consider these coins to be “rare,” they may fetch a higher price because of their pristine condition and because they are of the original minting year.

Grading the 1948 Franklin Half Dollar

Grading a coin is no simple process. Coins are put through a number of steps to inspect their overall condition and authenticity. The coin’s metal content is also verified. The visual inspections are performed by a team of expert numismatists, and the coin’s final grade is assigned by these teams of experts. Graded coins may, in general, garner higher premiums than non-graded coins. The better the overall condition of the coin, the more valuable the coin may be. If you carefully inspect your coin and note any damage or imperfections, you can get a very good idea as to how your coin may be graded.

Use the specifications below to determine how your Franklin Half Dollar coin might be graded.

Uncirculated: A coin that is in uncirculated condition will display no signs of use or wear. Despite the coin’s age, it will look as if it was minted today. The coin’s details will not show any signs of damage or imperfections. The lines and details will be clear and crisp. The coin’s color and finish, however, may take on a slightly different appearance. You can check your coin by using a magnifying glass to closely inspect any detail, such as the Liberty Bell. This close examination will allow you to see if the details remain robust or if there has been damage or fading.

Extremely Fine: A step below the uncirculated grade, a coin in extremely fine condition will likely exhibit some very minor wear or damage. The coin may feel smoother to the touch, and the coin’s details may look as if they have eroded slightly over the years. There may be very minor damage to intricate details, although this may not be seen by the naked eye. Nevertheless, a coin in this condition remains a beautiful sight and is considered to be in near-perfect condition.

Fine: A coin in fine condition has very noticeable signs of age and wear that can often times be easily identified. The coin’s images or text may appear worn down or scratched, and the coin’s finish may look duller.

Good: A coin in good condition may have enough damage to make it difficult to determine the type of coin, the minting year and other details. The coin’s color and finish may also appear extremely worn down or discolored. Although coins in good condition have damage, they may still be quite valuable depending on coin type, mintage and other factors.