1962 Half Dollar Value: Franklin Silver, D, Proofs and Full Bell Lines

In this article

Quick answer

A standard 1962 half dollar is a Franklin half containing 90% silver, with approximately 0.3617 troy ounce of fine silver. No mint mark identifies Philadelphia and D identifies Denver. Philadelphia also made a separate collector Proof without a mint mark; the missing letter alone cannot distinguish it from a regular strike.

The PCGS guide checked October 23, 2026 lists ordinary Philadelphia regular strikes at $37 in Very Fine 20, $44 in Mint State 63 and $55 in Mint State 65. Those are non-FBL comparisons. Full Bell Lines (FBL), Denver coins and Proofs require their own issue-and-designation evidence.

Coin photos

1962 Philadelphia Franklin half-dollar obverse: Franklin, not Kennedy, identifies the series.

Same 1962 Liberty Bell reverse: inspect above the bell for D and the lower lines for strike detail.

Basics & coin story

The Franklin half dollar was issued from 1948 through 1963. The 1962 date therefore belongs near the end of that series, before Kennedy replaced Franklin in 1964. Franklin’s portrait faces right; the reverse combines the Liberty Bell with a small eagle. The eagle is an intentional part of the design, not an added device or mint mark.

PCGS records 9,714,000 Philadelphia regular strikes for 1962. The original production total is separate from the number surviving with a particular grade or strike designation. Collectors can seek an ordinary circulated example, a well-preserved regular strike or a Proof without treating them as interchangeable products.

The Bell gives this series a distinctive collecting focus. Fine lower horizontal lines can be incompletely impressed even on an unworn coin. That is why Full Bell Lines is evaluated separately from the numerical grade. A high-grade label without FBL does not imply a damaged coin, and FBL does not mean Proof manufacture.

Identification at a glance
Feature	What to check
Type / denomination	Franklin half dollar / 50 cents
Principal design	Franklin portrait; Liberty Bell and small eagle
Composition	90% silver, 10% copper
Nominal weight	12.50 g
Diameter / edge	Approximately 30.6 mm / reeded
Fine silver	Approximately 0.3617 troy ounce
Regular issues	Philadelphia: no mark; Denver: D
Mint-mark location	Reverse above the Liberty Bell
Collector issue	Philadelphia Proof, no mint mark; separate PR comparison

Identification

Confirm Franklin before applying a Kennedy rule

A 1962 half with the normal U.S. design depicts Benjamin Franklin, not John F. Kennedy. The familiar Kennedy-era rule for 40% silver in 1965–1970 does not describe a 1962 Franklin. Compare the date, portrait and Bell reverse together, then locate the mint mark above the bell.

Separate a D coin from a no-mark coin

The reverse letter identifies Denver. No letter is normal for Philadelphia regular strikes and Proofs. A bright no-mark coin still requires a finish assessment; do not apply Proof prices simply because it reflects a lamp. Preserve original set packaging if available, but check that the coin matches its claimed product.

Understand what FBL adds

Full Bell Lines concerns the completeness of designated horizontal lines near the lower Bell. It is separate from wear, marks and the normal crack in the Liberty Bell design. Consult the grading service’s criteria and clear reference images before making the attribution. A scratch, glare or one sharp segment is not sufficient evidence for an FBL premium.

Condition & value

Amounts are in U.S. dollars. PCGS retail-guide examples were checked October 23, 2026 and apply only to the stated issue, grade and designation. They are not guaranteed purchase offers; current market conditions and selling costs can change the amount received.

Value comparisons: match the issue before using a price
Issue	Grade / condition	Value or reference	Basis	Important condition
1962 Philadelphia ordinary regular	VF20	$37	PCGS retail guide	No FBL premium assumed
1962 Philadelphia ordinary regular	MS63	$44	PCGS retail guide	Problem-free uncirculated example
1962 Philadelphia ordinary regular	MS65	$55	PCGS retail guide	Ordinary non-FBL entry
Contained silver	Approximately 0.3617 troy oz	0.3617 × silver spot per oz	Metal-content reference	Not a guaranteed offer
1962-D / FBL / Proof / named variety	Exact issue and designation	Compare separately	Different entries	No ordinary Philadelphia price transferred

Circulated Franklin halves combine a silver-content reference with collector demand. The approximate metal calculation is 0.3617 times the silver price per troy ounce. It changes with the market and does not include every buying spread, fee or collector premium. A retail guide is a different kind of reference from a metal calculation or a completed sale.

Inspect Franklin’s cheek, the fields and the Bell for friction and marks. A heavily toned surface can make examination harder without proving either damage or originality. Cleaning can remove material or leave hairlines, so do not polish the coin before asking for an opinion. Use the grading scale and cleaning guide for the general assessment.

If a holder states FBL, compare with an FBL coin from the same service, mint and grade rather than adding an arbitrary percentage to the ordinary chart. Proof cameo contrast is another separate designation. The 1963 Franklin half-dollar guide covers the final year with its own values; the 1952 guide provides an earlier date comparison.

Summary

Read the Franklin portrait, check the reverse mint mark, and separate ordinary regular strikes, FBL coins and Proofs. The normal 1962 coin is 90% silver. Its metal reference and date-specific collector price answer different questions, so match the complete issue and preserve the surface before comparing offers.

FAQ

Is a 1962 half dollar a Kennedy half?

No. The normal 1962 U.S. half dollar is a Franklin half. Kennedy half dollars began in 1964.

How much silver is in a 1962 half dollar?

The standard Franklin half is 90% silver and contains approximately 0.3617 troy ounce of fine silver at its nominal 12.50-gram weight.

Where is the D on a 1962 Franklin half dollar?

On the reverse above the Liberty Bell. No mark identifies Philadelphia; regular strikes and Philadelphia Proofs both lack a mint letter.

Does Full Bell Lines mean a 1962 half dollar is a Proof?

No. FBL is a strike-detail designation for regular strikes. Proof is a separate manufacturing category, and each needs its own comparison.

References

References and further reading

Sources and quoted guide evidence checked October 23, 2026. Guide estimates, historical sales, face value and metal-content calculations are identified separately.