Franklin Half-Dollar

The Franklin half-dollar was produced from 1948-1963. Nellie Taylor Ross was the director of the Mint at that time. She was a long-time admirer of Benjamin Franklin and wanted to see him on a coin. Though he was considered for the dime mint, officials thought the half-dollar was a better fit, but he did not like the idea.

The designer of the coin was John R. Sinnook, he was the second Chief engraver for the US Mint, but he died and his work was taken over by Gilroy Roberts.

Unlike most US coins, the Eagle on the Franklin half-dollar was an afterthought. This design wasn't added until after the Coinage Act of 1873 which demanded one be present on all denominations.

The Franklin half-dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint, the Denver Mint and the Philadelphia Mint, however, they were only struck at the San Francisco Mint from 1948-1954. They started making proofs in 1950, two years after the first coins were struck. Source