1963, Franklin Half Dollar

Although rating a 1963 Franklin Half Dollar as a "product" really does not fit the format of this type of review, I'll give it my best shot.

The '63 Franklin was the final year of production of this series, a series that unexpectedly turned out to be one of abbreviated longevity. The U.S. central banks' commitment to using monetary metal for coinage was drawing to a close and with the sudden and shocking assassination of President John F. Kennedy came the decision to create a half dollar coin to commemorate Kennedy's death. This spelled the early retirement of the Franklin Half Dollar and marked the beginning of the steady decline in the use of the half dollar as a circulating coin for everyday use.

Since this was the last year of production for the Franklin there was a high mintage number and subsequently many '63's were hoarded in mint state condition in bank rolls and bags. This resulting in a plentiful supply available in this condition to collectors even today.

If you're looking for a good type of 90% silver coinage to collect as a store of value or an "investment" or to use as a hedge against the decline in purchasing power of today's fiat dollar, the 1963 Franklin Half Dollar is a good choice. And despite the fact that this classic American coin has been around for half a century, it is still readily available at, or close to, the spot price of silver.

cause I like it and it look great, you stillcan see the line in the bell.The hold coin is in great shape.The on lettering was very readable.this franlin halve look a lot better than some of the one I seen that look not that great and they wanted to much money for the itself. That why I brought this Franklin Halve How beautiful it look.My Grandson really like coin too and I told him this is how are money look like back when I was a kid,and I told him that this was real silver not like the coin we have today And really like the way it look. So I gave it him to have,and now has in a nice box in his bedroom. He told me he would keep it forever.

The Franklin 90% 12.5 Gram Half is my favorite of any of the United States Silver Half Dollars! These are very nice Proof coins and Uncirculated coins and are not to hard to come by to complete this coin's short life of less than 15 years, looks great in whitman folder!

FRANKLIN HALVES OFFER THE BUYER A GREAT HISTORIC COIN AS WELL AS THE SILVER INVESTMENT. THESE COINS WILL SOON BE ALL OVER 50 YEARS OLD. I PREFER UNCIRCULATED FRANKLINS WHICH CAN BE PURCHASED FOR A SMALL PREMIUM OVER THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN IN CIRCULATION.

All of the Franklin Proof Coins are white hot right now and most are selling way above list price. These coins will become much harder to come by in the near future. The minting of these coins back in the 1950's and 1960's were nowhere near as sophisticated as the process is today. Finding examples of clean, well struck for their time and bright examples of Franklin Proof Coins is a challenge, but well worth the effort. Start with the 1963 Proof and work your way back to the 1955 Proof. You should be able to find Proof 67 in this time frame without spending a fortune. Once you go back to 1954 and earlier, any Franklin Proof will cost you a small fortune. Remember only purchase NGC & PCGS graded coins (ANACS in a pinch) and have fun searching for and collecting all of your coins. 2013 will be a banner year for the value of yesterday's pocket change!