Franklin

In 1948, a significant change was completed in American coinage with the introduction of the Silver Franklin Half Dollar: coins meant for circulation would from that point on depict actual Americans instead of figures from American symbolism and allegory. The artistic “golden era” of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, Standing Liberty Quarter, and Mercury Dime had come to an end as history replaced imagery at the U.S. Mint. Benjamin Franklin – printer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat – served as an ideal candidate for this first generation of commemorative coins. They were minted in Philadelphia (no mintmark), San Francisco (“S” mintmark), and Denver (“D”).