1957 Franklin Half Dollar

The Franklin Half Dollar is a 90 percent fine silver coin that has a face value of $.50. This coin was produced for a limited number of years from 1948-1963. The coin pays tribute to Founding Father Benjamin Franklin and features his side profile on the coin’s obverse. The coin’s reverse features the symbolic Liberty Bell and eagle.

Due to their age and many coins having been used in circulation, the majority of Franklin Half Dollars on the market today will have some degree of age-related wear and tear or even minor damage. You can, however, also find these fifty cent pieces in brilliant, uncirculated condition as well.

Grading the 1957 Franklin Half Dollar

The process for grading a coin is carefully controlled and performed with precision. Coins are put through a series of steps that will help assign a grade to the coin based on the coin’s overall physical condition. The authenticity and metal content of the coin are also verified. Once a coin has been put through the entire process, the coin will be assigned a grade by a team of expert coin graders. Coins that are highly graded and in excellent condition may be far more valuable than similar coins in lesser condition. You can closely inspect your coin for any blemishes or discoloration and get a good idea of how your coin may be graded.

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

Uncirculated: Coins that are in uncirculated condition are essentially brand new. These coins will have very sharp and crisp details and lines. The images and text on the coin’s surfaces will be clean and will appear as if they were just struck hours before. These coins are in excellent overall physical condition and may carry higher premiums. The coin may, however, show some very slight discoloration due to age. You can use a magnifying glass to determine if all of the details on your coin are crisp and present or if there has been any fading or wear over time.

Extremely Fine: Coins given a grade of extremely fine are in near-new condition and are just one grade below uncirculated. These coins may have very small blemishes or surface imperfections. Coin details may appear to be smoother or slightly eroded. The coin’s texture may also have a slightly worn down feel to it. Despite this, coins given a grade of extremely fine are highly regarded and in wonderful overall condition.

Fine: Coins that are assigned a grade of fine will likely have some significant surface defects. This could be in the imagery, text or edges. In addition, the coin’s imagery or text may be considerably worn down, and the coin’s finish may appear to be slightly discolored.

Good: Another step down the grading ladder, coins that are given a grade of good may have very considerable damage to the coin’s surfaces. This damage may make it hard-or even impossible- to discern the coin type and other pertinent details. One may have to use a magnifying glass or other visual aid to see certain details on the coin. Even though these coins may not be in great shape, they can still be extremely valuable to collectors based on their relative scarcity and other factors.