The 1959 Franklin Half Dollar (Buy on eBay) was produced at the Philadelphia and Denver mints for circulation and at the Philadelphia Mint in proof version for collectors. While the coins are relatively common, they become scarce in grades above gem, particularly with full bell lines. The proof version of the coin is most desirable with strikes exhibiting cameo or deep cameo contrast.
Circulation strike coins from this year until the end of the series are less likely to be encountered with the dark or sometimes colorful toning found on earlier issues. This can be attributed to the US Mint switching the packaging for the annual mint sets to an inert cellophane packaging, which did not chemically react with the coins. As such, brilliant uncirculated coins are more common than toned coins.
1959 Franklin Half Dollar Specifications
Designer: John R. Sinnock
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 12.50 grams
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Edge: Reeded
1959 Franklin Half Dollar Mintages
1959: 6,200,000
1959-D: 13,053,750
1959 Proof: 1,149,291
