A guide book of franklin & kennedy hAlf dollars excerpt 1950 franklin proof

1950 marked the resumption of Proof coin production at the Philadelphia Mint after an eight-year hiatus. The last Proof half dollars had been minted in 1942, when 21,120 were struck. 51,386 Proof sets were struck in 1950.

The overall quality of the 1950 Proof Franklin is very poor. Most examples are heavily hairlined, and many are struck from Proof dies that obviously were being used beyond the point of their useful life. These latter coins exhibit shallow Proof mirrors, and may also have some pitting on the high points of Franklin’s cheek and jawline on the obverse and on the center portions of the Liberty Bell on the reverse.

Another problem plaguing the 1950 Proof Franklin is glue stains acquired from the method of packaging. From 1950 through mid-1954, the Philadelphia Mint encased each Proof coin in its own small cellophane envelope, about 1 x 2 inches in dimension. Packets were then laid one on top of the other and stapled together, and the entire five-coin group was then wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a small cardboard box approximately 2 x 2 x 1 inches in size. The glue used to seal on end of the envelope would frequently leave residue on the 1950 Proof coins encased in these original government issue pouched for more than a few years.

Brilliant Proof.
The 1950 Proof Franklin is very scarce in brilliant NGC Signature Series quality PF-65-66 grade. If you are seeking a gem deep-mirrored example that matches up well with the other Proof Franklins in your set, the current PCGS/NGC population numbers are very misleading. Most of the gems graded are either heavily toned or very shallow mirrored. These latter coins more closely resemble Mint State Franklins than Proofs, and they look out of place in a set containing deeply mirrored Proofs from 1951 through 1963.

Any nicely mirrored haze-free gem 1950 is extremely scarce, and offers tremendous value at current prices, having appreciated to the $1,200 to $2,000 range. PF-66 coins sell for about 50 percent more. Superb 1950 NGC Signature Series PF-67s now trade between $5,500 and $7,500