- Year: 1949
- Mint Mark: No mint mark
- Type: Franklin Half
- Price: $15.50-$142.00+
- Face Value: 0.50 USD
- Produced: 5,614,000
- Edge: Reeded
- Silver Content: 90%
- Silver Weight: .3617 oz.
- Melt Value: $11.34
Notes: This is the first year that the Ben Franklins were minted at 3 different facilities. The prior and subsequent years saw coins minted only in 2. Look for the bell lines to be a feature in these coins series. The FBL or Full Bell Line versions of this coins are thought to be full or perfect strikes, and are sought after. Ben Franklin FBL versions of this coin worth between $55 and $470 depending upon overall grade.
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
"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%
If toned this coin will sell for even more, as the Franklin Halves tone very nicely.
- Grade MS62 = $29-$48
- Grade MS63 = $34-$56
- Grade MS64 = $68-$113
- Grade MS65 = $165-$275
- Grade MS66 = $285-$475
Prices listed below are for coins without FBL (NO Full Bell Lines)
- Grade MS60 = $14-$16
- Grade MS61 = $14-$24
- Grade MS62 = $23-$38
- Grade MS63 = $29-$48
- Grade MS64 = $45-$75
- Grade MS65 = $113-$188
- Grade MS66 = $195-$325
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 1949 Ben Franklin Half Dollar worth?
In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around $15.50, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $142 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 1949, 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 1949 Ben Franklin Half Dollars Silver?
Yes! Ben Franklin Half Dollar's produced in 1949 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 still worth $4.16 more than the intrinsic value from silver content of $11.34, this coin is thus more valuable to a collector than to a silver bug. Coins worth more to a collectors may be a better long term investment. If the metal prices drop you will still have a coin that a numismatic would want to buy.
Want more info? Then read Coin Collecting Investment an article that details the benefits of coin collecting as a way to build wealth. Also learn how to properly store your coins.
Current silver melt value* for a 1951 S Franklin Half is $11.34 and this price is based off the current silver spot price of $31.34 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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