One of the most iconic coins produced by the U.S. Mint, the Franklin Half Dollar is a 90 percent fine silver coin that was designed to pay tribute to Benjamin Franklin, one of the most important figures in American history. These silver coins were minted from 1948-1963 and are still highly regarded today by collectors and coin enthusiasts alike.

Due to their age and time in circulation, many of the Franklin Half Dollars on the market today will have visible signs of age and erosion. You can also still find these half dollars in brilliant, uncirculated condition as well.

Grading the 1963 Franklin Half Dollar

Coins that are assigned a grade by a professional grading company are put through a rigorous grading process to verify their authenticity and metal content. Coins are also subjected to numerous visual inspections in order to make a determination on their overall condition. Even though the grading process follows some strict rules and guidelines, the coin’s final grade is the opinion of a team of expert coin graders. The better overall condition that the coin is in, the more valuable the coin may be. You can get a very good idea of how your coin might be graded by performing a close and thorough inspection of your coin’s details, finish, color and edges.

Use the specifications below to determine how your Franklin Half Dollar coin might be graded.

Uncirculated:Uncirculated coins are coins in excellent overall condition. These coins will appear as if they were just minted today. The coin’s images, text and other details will have clean and clear lines, and the coin will have retained its original texture. Many coins in this condition will also have largely retained their original color and finish, while some may have very slight differences in color or finish. You can simply use a magnifying glass to examine your coin’s details. Using a magnifying glass will enable you to see if the details remain clear and crisp, or if any wear has taken place.

Extremely Fine:Coins that are extremely fine are also in excellent overall condition. This grade is one below uncirculated, and coins in this condition will have few imperfections. The coin may have very small blemishes on the images or text, while the color or finish may appear slightly off. Even though these coins are a little farther from perfect condition, they are still quite stunning and look almost new.

Fine:Coins that are assigned a grade of fine are another step down the grading scale, and may exhibit more wear and tear. The coin’s details may have noticeable signs of damage or erosion, and the coin’s color and finish may even appear to be dull.

Good:Coins assigned a grade of good are even further down the grading scale. Coins in this condition may have very significant surface damage to the images, text or edges. Sometimes this damage can make it impossible to make out the coin’s details or even identify the coin without a visual aid. While coins in good condition may be very worn or eroded, they can still be very valuable if they are scarce or certain types of coins.

1963 Franklin Half Dollar Pricing

Franklin Half Dollars generally carry very reasonable premiums because they are not difficult to obtain. In fact, many precious metals dealers may carry several editions of this silver coin. A Franklin Half Dollar in very fine condition may fetch about $13, while a coin in extremely fine condition may be valued around $14. Premiums for these coins can rise, however, based on coin condition and mint year.