Franklin Silver Half Dollar Errors, Varieties, and Value
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. Keep scrolling to see the current value price chart, and how to identify rare Franklin half dollar rarity coins like the Bugs Bunny and Full Bell Lines too.
Franklin Half Dollar Variety Coin Value Chart
| Year / Variety | Condition/Grade | Recent Value (2025-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 "Bugs Bunny" FS-401 | MS67 (Top Grade) | $3,120.00 |
| 1955 "Bugs Bunny" FS-401 | Raw / Lower Grade | $25.00 – $30.00 |
| Standard Franklin Half | Average Circulated | Silver Melt Value* |
| Key Date (1949-S/1953-S) | Mint State (MS65+) | $150.00+ (FBL) |
*Note: All Franklin Half Dollars (1948–1963) are 90% silver. Prices fluctuate based on silver spot price and certified grading. FBL = Full Bell Lines.
How to Identify the Bugs Bunny Half Dollar
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. Furthermore, a 10x loupe is enough to view it, but I used a mobile phone and a Carson zOrb USB digital coin microscope to capture these photos.
The impact results in a raised portion on Franklin’s upper lip, resembling the famous Bugs Bunny cartoon character’s buck teeth. Note the arrows noting the eagle’s wing imprint creating a buck tooth appearance on Franklin’s top lip.
Find Wrong Planchet Coin Errors
All Franklin Half Dollars (1948–1963) are 90% silver and have a standard weight of 12.50 grams and diameter of 30.6 mm. Any other weight signifies a wrong planchet error coin. Moreover, you’ll only find those on any coin with a digital pocket coin scale.
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.
Collecting silver Dollars
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
Because 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, it may appear to the naked eye as vampire teeth.
Bugs Bunny Half Dollar Examination
As shown in the coin chart above, a 1955 “BUGS BUNNY” FS-401 50C half dollars are rare collectible coins worth money that collectors seek out to obtain the best specimens of clashed dies. Furthermore, a rare 1955 Ben Franklin Bugs Bunny half dollar graded MS67, sold for $3,120.00! That’s a very valuable silver fifty cent coin!
Click to display the embedded YouTube video
Most Valuable Silver coins
1955 Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar errors and varieties aren’t the only valuable silver error coins. Check out these rare and valuable Morgan Dollar errors and varieties! I used a phone camera to capture the macro photos and the video clip. Then, I used a Digital USB Carson zOrb microscope to capture the up close microscopic photos of the buck teeth clashed die.
How to Identify Franklin Half Dollar Full Bell Line Designations
Moreover, 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.
