1955 Franklin Half Dollar

The Franklin Half Dollar is revered for its simple yet beautiful design and tribute to Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. This coin is a favorite among collectors as it has not been produced in over 50 years and was minted with 90 percent pure silver.

Many of the Franklin fifty-cent pieces found on the market today show some signs of their age. These coins have been circulated for a long time now, and the constant exchanging of hands of these coins has caused some minor wear and tear on many of them. You can still find Franklin Half Dollars in brilliant, uncirculated condition as well.

Some editions of the Franklin Half Dollar may carry higher premiums than others.

Grading the 1955 Franklin Half Dollar

The process by which a coin is graded is intense and follows a set of key steps. The grading process is performed by a team of coin experts that examine every aspect of a coin. The coin’s authenticity and metal content are also verified. Although this process follows certain steps, the coin’s final grade is the opinion of an expert numismatist or team of numismatists. The better the overall condition that a coin is in, the more potentially valuable the coin may be. You can get a good idea of how your coin may be graded by closely examining the coin for any signs of damage or wear including scratches, fading or erosion.

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

Uncirculated: Coins in uncirculated condition are in near-perfect condition. Even though these coins have been around for decades, coins in this condition will appear as if they just emerged from the mint today. The coin’s text or imagery appears to be freshly struck, with no visible signs of erosion or damage. The color of some coins will also be near-perfect, while other coins may show some signs of age in their color or overall tone. By using a magnifying glass to examine the small eagle on the reverse, for example, you can see if all the detail is present or if the coin has experienced some fading or erosion.

Extremely Fine: Just a step below uncirculated condition, coins in extremely fine condition appear to be relatively new, but may have some very minor wear and tear or erosion on the coin’s details or surfaces. In addition to any surface damage on the coin, the coin’s overall texture may be smoother from years of exchanging hands. In spite of these minor issues, coins in this condition are still extremely appealing and look to be in excellent condition.

Fine: Another step down the grading scale, coins in fine condition may have very visible imperfections on the coin’s surfaces or edge. The imagery or text on the coin may have scratches or noticeable damage and the coin’s finish may appear to lack any shine or luster.

Good: Coins in good condition may have severe damage to the coin’s surfaces or detail. The color and tone of these coins may also appear to be slightly different than coins in better condition. Sometimes, damage can make it impossible to identify the coin or its details such as minting year and any text. While these coins may not be in the best shape, they may still garner high premiums if they are of limited mintage or are sought after by collectors.