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The Denver Mint was newly established in 1906, making its way through famous coins series, a little at a time. Heavily produced by the top 3 mints, the Franklin Half Dollar was minted from 1948 to 1963. In 1959, the Denver Mint minted over 13 million coins, many are even accessible today. Since the half dollar's average mintage is high, collectors and investors today enjoy the Franklin for its 90% silver content. On the obverse, an astute Benjamin Franklin is pictured, with the date of mintage right under his chin. The reverse contains the infamously cracked Liberty Bell with the coin's legal tender value.
Designing a dime, right before World War II, the Mint Engraver, John R. Sinnock, already had a Franklin design ready to go when he was asked to create the new half dollar. Although Franklin himself despised portraits on US coins, the Mint Director promised he was only referring to royalty portraits and he would be honored to be featured on the coin. Franklin has been quoted saying he would rather a proverb be featured so collectors can have something to ponder while holding the coin.Along with disagreeing with portraits on coins, Franklin also disagreed with the Bald Eagle being the national bird. He claimed among numismatist lore, that the eagle was only viewed as a scavenger. Being the logical man he was, Franklin offered the wild turkey to stand as the nation's brave bird. Obviously, he didn't get too far with that idea and the eagle accompanies the Liberty Bell on the reverse of every Franklin Half Dollar. Benjamin Franklin, distinctly recognizable, is featured prominently on the obverse, with the coin's date of mintage also present.