1953-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Franklin Half Dollars 1948-1963

PCGS MS67+

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PCGS MS67+

PCGS #:: 6666

Designer:: John R. Sinnock/John Frederick Lewis

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.50 grams

Mintage:: 4,148,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $6,000 • MS65 • 01-16-2022 • David Lawrence RC

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (6)

Major Varieties

1953-S 50C
1953-S 50C, FBL

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	414,800	R-1.6	6 / 35 TIE	6 / 35 TIE
60 or Better	28,000	R-2.7	25 / 35 TIE	25 / 35 TIE
65 or Better	18,000	R-2.8	34 / 35 TIE	34 / 35 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	414,800
60 or Better	28,000
65 or Better	18,000

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-1.6
60 or Better	R-2.7
65 or Better	R-2.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	6 / 35 TIE
60 or Better	25 / 35 TIE
65 or Better	34 / 35 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	6 / 35 TIE
60 or Better	25 / 35 TIE
65 or Better	34 / 35 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

Jaime Hernandez:

The 1953-S Franklin Half with Full Bell Lines details is the key coin to the entire circulation strike Franklin Half Dollar series.

For some reason, in 1953 the Mint struck nickels and half dollars with very weak details. Mostly all 1953-S nickels and half dollars display very weak details on the highest points of the design and on the reverse of the coin. With a mintage of over 4 million coins, less than 50 examples are known with Full Bell Lines details for the 1953-S Franklin Half Dollar.

The few examples that do display Full Bell Lines were probably struck very early at the Mint. This would explain why most 1953-S Franklin Half’s with Full Bell Lines characteristics are mostly encountered in MS65 grades.Even in low mint state grades, a 1953-S displaying Full Bell Lines will command thousands of dollars.