Silver Half Dollars at Their Finest
The Walking Liberty and Franklin half dollars represent two distinct eras of American coinage. The Walking Liberty (1916–1947) is widely regarded as the most beautiful US coin ever produced, while the Franklin (1948–1963) offers an accessible collecting series with the coveted Full Bell Lines designation.
Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916–1947)
Designed by Adolph Weinman (who also created the Mercury dime), the Walking Liberty half features a full-length Liberty striding toward the dawn of a new day, draped in an American flag. The reverse shows a bald eagle perched on a mountain pine.
The design was so beloved that the US Mint revived it for the American Silver Eagle bullion coin in 1986.
Key Dates
- 1916-S (Obverse Mint Mark) — $100+ in Good. First-year San Francisco issue.
- 1917-S (Obverse Mint Mark) — $50+ in Good. Mint mark on obverse.
- 1919-D — $50+ in Good. Low mintage post-WWI date.
- 1921 and 1921-D — The series key dates. $150+ and $250+ in Good respectively. Low Depression-era mintages.
- 1921-S — $25+ in Good but extremely rare above VF.
- 1938-D — Semi-key. $75+ in Good.
Grading Notes
Walking Liberty halves are challenging to grade due to the design's many high points. Liberty's hand, head, and the left breast are the first areas to show wear. Many coins come weakly struck on Liberty's hand and the eagle's breast feathers — don't confuse strike weakness with wear.
Franklin Half Dollars (1948–1963)
Designed by John R. Sinnock, the Franklin half features Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. The tiny eagle required by law appears to the right of the bell — so small that Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts reportedly protested its inclusion.
Key Dates and Semi-Keys
- 1948 — First year. Not rare but popular.
- 1949-S — $30+ in MS-63. Lower mintage.
- 1953-S — Semi-key in higher grades.
- 1955 — "Bugs Bunny" variety (die clash creates teeth-like marks on Franklin's face). $20+ in MS-63.
Full Bell Lines (FBL)
The bottom of the Liberty Bell on the reverse should show complete, uninterrupted horizontal lines. Most Franklin halves show mushy or incomplete bell lines. FBL examples carry major premiums:
- Common-date MS-64: $20–$30.
- Common-date MS-64 FBL: $50–$200.
- Some dates (1953-S, 1961, 1962) are exceptionally rare in FBL and can bring $500–$5,000+ in MS-65 FBL.
Collecting Strategies
- Walking Liberty date set — $1,500–$3,000 in Good-VG. The 1921 and 1921-D are the major expenses.
- Franklin date set — Very affordable: $200–$400 in MS-63 for all 35 coins.
- FBL Franklin set — A challenging pursuit. Some dates are genuinely rare in FBL.
- Type set — One Walking Liberty and one Franklin in VF-EF. Under $30 total.
- Both series contain 0.3617 troy ounces of silver per coin.
Up Next
This guide is for educational purposes. Where official standards, grading services, organization memberships, or legal requirements apply, consult the primary authority named in the references below or the relevant government agency.
Reviewed on January 9, 2026 by the US Coin Shows editorial team. Editorial policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful US coin?
The Walking Liberty half dollar (1916–1947), designed by Adolph Weinman, is widely considered the most beautiful US coin. Its design was revived for the American Silver Eagle bullion coin in 1986.
What does Full Bell Lines mean on a Franklin half?
Full Bell Lines (FBL) means the horizontal lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell reverse are complete and uninterrupted, indicating a strong strike. FBL examples carry premiums of 2x to 50x over non-FBL coins.
What is the key date Walking Liberty half dollar?
The 1921 and 1921-D are the series key dates with low Depression-era mintages. The 1921 is $150+ in Good, the 1921-D is $250+ in Good.
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