Proof Franklin Half Dollar 1961

The Proof Franklins were minted from 1950-1963, only by the Philadelphia Mint, and thus, carry no mint-mark. The 1961 Proof Franklin Half Dollar was the first mintage to hit over 3 million for the series.Even though 3 million were minted, that still isn't considered as large as the overproduction of the BU Franklin Halves. For experienced collectors, the Proof Franklin Half Dollars are ideal due to their high numismatic value and 90% silver content. The Philadelphia Mint began producing the Proof Set series, minting Franklin Half Dollars for a part of the set.

The Franklin Half Dollar replaced the beloved Walking Liberty Half in 1948 and wowed the public with its honorary depiction of the late Founding Father. The Mint Director at the time, Nellie Tayloe Ross, long since admired Benjamin Franklin, so when it was time to replace the Walking Liberty, she knew which design would be next. Ross approached the Mint Engraver, John R. Sinnock, and asked him to design a portrait of Franklin for the new half dollar. Sinnock used past designs of his to get the new half dollar underway but would not see the end result. Sinnock died before the completion of the Franklin Half Dollar, leaving it up to his successor, Gilroy Roberts, to finish the job. Once the final design was finished, the Mint Director took it to the Commission of Fine Arts to get it approved.

• Denomination: N/A
• Year: 1961
• Diameter: N/A
• Mint Mark: N/A
• Thickness: N/A
• Grade: Ungraded