Franklin Half Dollars
Famed by the name Bugs Bunny Ben Franklin half dollar, this silver coin is one of the most iconic and sought after error coins in numismatics. The distinctive appearance of Benjamin Franklin’s buck teeth is caused by a clashed die.
Silver Half Dollars
A die clash occurs when the reverse die, featuring the Liberty Bell and eagle, strikes the obverse die, featuring Franklin’s portrait, with excessive force.
The impact results in a raised portion on Franklin’s upper lip, resembling the famous Bugs Bunny cartoon character’s buck teeth. All Franklin Half Dollars (1948–1963) are 90% silver and have a standard weight of 12.50 grams and diameter of 30.6 mm.
While the Bugs Bunny error is a relatively common die clash error compared to some other rare coin varieties, it remains highly sought after by collectors in mint state condition. The value of a specific coin depends on several factors:
- The Year and Mint Mark: Coins from certain years and mint locations are more desirable.
- Grade: The coin’s condition, as graded by services like PCGS, ANACS, or NGC, significantly impacts value.
- Severity of the Error: The more pronounced the “buck teeth” appearance, the higher the potential value.
silver Franklin Half Dollar
If you’re interested in collecting this unique error coin, here are some tips. Attend coin shows and visit reputable coin dealers to find desirable coin specimens. Platforms like ebay may offer opportunities to acquire Bugs Bunny Franklin silver half dollars in raw or graded condition.
1955 Bugs Bunny Franklin Half Dollar
The die-clash marks on the 1955 half dollar are from the eagle’s wing, resulting in a fang-like impression at Franklin’s mouth.
Bugs Bunny Half Dollar Value
1955 “BUGS BUNNY” FS-401 50C half dollars are rare collectible coins worth money that collectors seek out the best specimens of. For instance, a rare 1955 Ben Franklin Bugs Bunny half dollar graded MS67, sold for $3,120.00! That’s a very valuable half dollar!
Lower grades of these coins sell for $25 to $30 dollars in raw condition. First, check out the sold listings on eBay for current market value of these unique collectible half dollar coin varieties. Then, check out other Ben Franklin Half Dollar varieties at NGC Variety Plus.
1955 Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar errors and varieties aren’t the only valuable silver error coins. Check out these rare and valuable Morgan Dollars! I used a phone camera to capture the macro photos and a Carson zOrb microscope to capture the up close micro photos of the buck teeth die clash.
Also check out bicentennial half dollar rarities! Finally, this website is a partnered associate and contains affiliate links, which enable me to earn commissions from various partners. Full disclosure is available here. Partners include ebay, Amazon, Google Adsense, and others.
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