1948-D

Denver opened Franklin Half Dollar production with the 1948-D, striking 4,028,600 pieces and placing its "D" mintmark above the Liberty Bell beam on the reverse. Although the figure outpaces the Philadelphia release by roughly a million coins, the 1948-D remains a popular first-year branch-mint entry and a routine target for collectors assembling their initial set. Sinnock's obverse portrait, finalized after his death in May 1947 under Acting Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts, carries the "JRS" initials at the bust truncation. The reverse pairs the Liberty Bell, complete with its famous crack, alongside a small eagle inserted to satisfy the 1873 Coinage Act mandate for an eagle on half dollar coinage.

Denver-struck Franklins from the early years sometimes show softer detail on the bell lines than their Philadelphia counterparts, and the 1948-D is no exception. Full Bell Lines examples are available with patience through MS64, but MS65 FBL coins become decidedly tougher, and MS66 FBL pieces command real money at auction. PCGS and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) census data places the 1948-D as moderately scarce in top-pop FBL grades, with fewer than a hundred examples certified at MS66 FBL across both services. Authentication points include verifying the small "D" mintmark style consistent with 1948 punches, checking weight against the 12.50 gram standard, and inspecting the eagle's feather detail, which on genuine strikes shows clear separation.

Eye appeal varies considerably across surviving 1948-D rolls, and toned examples with peripheral color often outperform blast-white pieces at auction. Heritage and Stack's Bowers have both sold MS66 FBL coins in the $700 to $1,500 range over recent years, with truly exceptional specimens climbing higher. The 1948-D is a manageable acquisition in mid-grade Mint State, making it a sensible early addition for new collectors before tackling tougher dates further down the run; for additional history on Denver's role in this series and the Sinnock-Roberts design transition, see the Franklin Half Dollar series history.