- Year: 1948
- Mint Mark: No mint mark
- Type: Franklin Half
- Price: $11.00-$150.00+
- Face Value: 0.50 USD
- Produced: 3,000,000
- Edge: Reeded
- Silver Content: 90%
- Silver Weight: .3617 oz.
- Melt Value: $11.17
Notes: The mint mark is on the reverse and directly above the liberty bell. If no mint mark is found its from the Philadelphia Mint in PA. The FBL or Full Bell Line versions of this coins are thought to be full or perfect strikes, and are sought after.
What are FBL? (Full Bell Lines)
Full Bell Lines, usually abbreviated to FBL refer to the lines on the Liberty Bell on the reverse of the Ben Franklin 50C coins. When all lines are present and clear they are graded as FBL or Full Bell Lines.
Example of Full Bell Lines
Example of 1948 a FBL Label
Are there any Half Dollar errors for the year 1948?
There are a few errors to be aware of and they are...
Struck on 1c Double Denomination $5,000-$15,000 USD
Struck on 1c Coin
This is whats referred to as a double denomination error. There are just a handful of these known to exist but they are selling for between $5,000-$15,000 USD. Whats neat about this example is that the grading done by NGC here still indicated the BN (brown) color of the penny. The color RD, RB, and BN are only attributed to pennies generally.
Double Die $150-$800 USD
Double Die Error
Look closely at lettering and dates on both the front and the back of this coin errors are worth between $150-$800 USD USD.
"Bugs Bunny" Die Clash Error FS-401 $75-$5,000 USD
Bug Bunny Die Clash Error
This error can be found on Franklin Half Dollars issued from 1948 up until 1963, and is a staple of the coin collecting community. $75-$5,000 USD USD. The most valuable of these errors will be found in MS-66 or higher Full Bell Line (FBL) condition.
The error itself is whats known as a die clash error and the "buck teeth" are caused by lines from the eagles feathers found on the reverse of the die.
Mintages
Price Chart
Rates listed here refer to professionally graded and slabbed coins. If new to collecting the prices below might not make sense.
Prices listed below are for coins with FBL (Full Bell Lines) if your coin is not a FBL reduce the price listed by 10% to 30%
- Grade MS60 = $23-$31
- Grade MS61 = $23-$38
- Grade MS62 = $30-$50
- Grade MS63 = $41-$69
- Grade MS64 = $60-$100
- Grade MS65 = $94-$156
- Grade MS66 = $300-$500
Prices listed below are for coins without FBL (NO Full Bell Lines)
- Grade MS60 = $11-$15
- Grade MS61 = $11-$19
- Grade MS62 = $15-$25
- Grade MS63 = $23-$38
- Grade MS64 = $41-$69
Is the list above a little overwhelming? If so, take 5 minutes to learn all about Coin Grading.
It's also important to note...Prices are subject to the same supply and demand laws as everything else. Coins sold at the same auction house 10x, would fetch drastically different bids each session. To raise your chances of receiving top dollar read How to Get the Most for your Coins.
We've personally researched these values. If you enjoy our content please return the favor and share this page with your friends.
How much is a 1948 Ben Franklin Half Dollar worth?
In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around $11.00, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $150 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1948, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].
What are your coins really worth?
Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any ben franklin half dollar in your collection.
Most Valuable
The most valuable Ben Franklin Half Dollar's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.
| Image | Year | Mint | Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
1949 | D | $575 |
 |
1950 | D | $500 |
 |
1960 | $300 | |
 |
1952 | D | $285 |
 |
1962 | D | $280 |
 |
1951 | D | $275 |
 |
1960 | D | $270 |
 |
1959 | $225 | |
 |
1953 | D | $205 |
 |
1951 | S | $200 |
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| Image | Name | Mint | Worth |
Want more? Click here to see the most valuable coins ever minted.
Are 1948 Ben Franklin Half Dollars Silver?
Yes! Ben Franklin Half Dollar's produced in 1948 are 90% silver to be precise, and contain .3617 troy oz or 11.25 grams in total of .999 pure silver. Silver weight is measured in troy ounces. Troy ounces weigh about 2 grams more than the standard ounce. CoinTrackers has built a tool that will let you know if your coin is silver or not. The tool is called Is My Coin Silver?.
Numismatic vs Intrinsic Value:
This coin in poor condition is worth $0.17 less than the intrinsic value from silver content of $11.17, this coin is thus more valuable to a silver bug than to a coin collector. You will most likely find however that it is hard to get a coin for less than spot price. At least that has been our experience. Want more info? Then read Coin Collecting Investment an article that details the benefits of coin collecting as a way to build wealth..
Current silver melt value* for a 1951 S Franklin Half is $11.17 and this price is based off the current silver spot price of $30.88 This value is dynamic so bookmark it and comeback for an up to the minute silver melt value.
***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.
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