1963 Franklin Half Dollar Mint Mark Set - 2 piece - UNC

Benjamin Franklin is truly one of our nation's greatest founding fathers. His integral role in founding the Post Office on this day 226 years ago led to his nickname the "true father of the United States Postal Service." So we decided to commemorate the beginning of our nation's postal service with the final Benjamin Franklin Half Dollars ever produced: The 1963 Philadelphia and Denver Mint Pair!

Benjamin Franklin was a man who wore many hats. He excelled in each of his roles for our fledgling nation in a near impossible feat of intellect. When looking at the collective results of his life's work as a Printer, Scientist, Inventor and Diplomat; it has become apparent that most overlook one of his most influential roles within the United States: Becoming the United States' first postmaster general.

The special release in 2006 of the Benjamin Franklin Silver Dollars was a result of Public Law 108-464, which required the minting of up to 500,000 silver dollars in commemoration of the tercentenary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin. While collectors ate these commemorative dollars up, it is the less modern Franklin half dollars that are the true collector's pieces!

The Franklin Half Dollar was first issued in 1948, and if it wasn't for the unfortunate events of November 22, 1963 it may still be in service today. It was struck for only 16 years...the shortest production-span of any half dollar in United States Mint history! The obverse bears the profile of our iconic founding father, while the reverse depicts the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA.

Did you know? Ben Franklin was the only signee of all four major documents instrumental to the founding of the United States Constitution, the Treaty of Paris and the Treaty of Alliance, Amity and Commerce, in which France recognized and supported the United States.