This 1952 D Benjamin Franklin UNCIRCULATED half dollar was designed by John R. Sinnock and his initials appear just below the shoulder of Franklin. Sinnock died before totally completing his design so his assistant, Gilroy Roberts completed it. On the face of the coin, Franklin’s profile shows his tresses and curls in his long hair. IN GOD WE TRUST is in raised letters circling across the bottom of the coin under Franklin’s bust.
On the obverse, the word LIBERTY circles around the top of the half dollar. Dates are in high relief to the right and across from Franklin’s neck. Franklin opposed putting portraits on coins, however his opposition was probably to putting royal heads on them. (Possibly because in Franklin’s time, royal heads tended to roll too often) The director of the mint, Mrs. Nelly Taylor Ross, said the design of the coin put Franklin, one of the Founding Father in front of more people than the $100.00 bill that also carries his face.
The reverse of the Franklin half dollar displays an accurate rendition of the Liberty Bell including the distinct crack. The mint mark on coins minted in Denver and San Francisco is on the reverse just above the yoke of the bell frame, below the E in Liberty. A small eagle is on the reverse of the coin to the right of the Liberty Bell. The eagle is in profile with wings spread. This was added to meet legal congressional requirements that half dollar designs include an eagle. The minting of this silver half dollar began in 1948 and ended in 1960 when the Kennedy half dollar was introduced.
The coin has a reeded edge, weighs 12.30 grams (some descriptions say 12.50 grams) with a metal content of .900 silver and .100 copper for a net weight of .36169 ounce of pure silver. It has a diameter of 30.6 mm. It was minted in all three mints, Denver, Philadelphia and San Francisco excepting for some years as noted. The 1948 half was only minted in Denver and San Franisco. The same is true for the 1950, 1957,1958, 1959, 1960 and 1963 minting's. The 1955, and1956 coins were only minted in Philadelphia. (According to Red Book.)
My pictures show the coin up for bid. This 1952 D Benjamin Franklin half dollar is an uncirculated beauty. When I bought it, it was labeled PROOF. I have no documentation to verify that so I can't describe it as a Proof.. This 1952 D Franklin half dollar is very bright, mirror shiny, displays full, sharp and deep bell lines.
All small detail front and back is full, sharp, and clean. It has no tarnish, front or reverse. The reeded edge is clean and sharp. I do see a small, light scratch on the right side of the reverse. It is not deep, but it is visible. I attempt to describe each coin accurately and post multiple pictures at different angles and exposures to aid in examining each coin but make your own decision. Sometimes my old eyes deceive me so always rely on the pictures.
My Franklin half dollars have been stored in a Whitman folder for years since I began buying them over 30 years ago. I do not clean my coins and pictures are never photoshopped.
I am not a dealer and my coins come from my 35+ year collection. I’m 83 and my wife said sell the collection as she would have no idea what to do with it if I boot out.