One extraordinary 1958 Franklin half dollar sold for $129,250 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions — yet circulated examples are worth as little as $20 in silver melt. That gap is all about condition, Full Bell Lines, and knowing exactly which variety you're holding. This free guide tells you everything.
★★★★★ Rated 4.8 by 1,473 collectors · Based on PCGS & Heritage auction data · 2026 edition
Check My 1958 Half Dollar Value →Select your coin's mint mark, condition, and any known errors below. The calculator uses real auction data from PCGS and Heritage to estimate your coin's current market value.
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The Full Bell Lines designation is the single most important factor separating a $40 coin from a $400–$1,700 coin. Use this tool to assess whether your 1958 Franklin half dollar may qualify.
Bell lines at the base of the Liberty Bell are soft, incomplete, or interrupted by contact marks. The coin may be uncirculated with beautiful luster but fails FBL. Value: $36–$75 for MS63–MS65.
Both the lower set (two lines) and upper set (three lines) are fully separated with no smear or mark breaking them anywhere. This is a high-quality strike from a fresh die. Value can reach $1,700+ in gem grades.
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Most 1958 Franklin half dollars are worth face-value-adjacent silver melt prices in worn condition. But a small number of die varieties and minting errors can push values into the hundreds or thousands of dollars. Here are the four most important error varieties collectors actively pursue on this date.
The FS-402 Obverse Die Clash occurred when the obverse and reverse working dies came together without a planchet between them. The collision left each die with a mirror impression of the other's design — a ghost of the Liberty Bell and lettering pressed into the obverse die's fields.
On the coin, this clash manifests as faint but distinct incuse outlines of the reverse design visible in the open areas of the obverse. Look especially in the field above LIBERTY and around Franklin's portrait. The effect can be subtle, often only catching the eye when the coin is tilted under a single directional light source.
This variety is catalogued as CONECA FS-402 and listed on PCGS CoinFacts (PCGS #6674 die variety). Collectors prize it because authenticated examples are scarce in high grade. An MS67 FBL example sold for $6,250 at auction in February 2021. Even in lower MS grades, premiums above undesignated examples are common. The mint attempted to polish clash marks from the die, so many examples show signs of field polishing alongside the ghost impression.
The Repunched Mintmark error occurred because mint workers in 1958 still punched mint marks into working dies by hand, one at a time, using a separate punch tool. If the first punch landed slightly off-center or at a wrong angle, the worker punched again — leaving two overlapping impressions of the letter "D" in the die.
On the struck coin, this results in a secondary "D" impression visible adjacent to or beneath the primary mint mark. The degree of separation varies considerably: strong RPM examples show a clearly distinct second "D" visible to the naked eye, while weaker examples require a 5× or 10× loupe. The RPM is found on the reverse above the bell yoke, the same location as the primary "D."
Within the Franklin half dollar series, RPM varieties across multiple dates are collected and catalogued by CONECA. On the 1958-D, the premium over a plain example depends heavily on the separation between the two "D" impressions. Well-separated, strongly shifted examples in MS64 and above are the most desirable. Collectors seeking a complete die-variety Franklin set actively pursue strong RPM coins from this date.
A Doubled Die Obverse results when the hub used to sink design into a working die strikes slightly off-angle on a second hubbing rotation. This mechanical misalignment bakes the doubling permanently into the die, so every coin struck from that die carries the same offset impression — it is not a strike error but a true die variety.
On the 1958 Franklin half dollar, look for DDO signs in the date numerals, in the letters of LIBERTY at the top of the obverse, and in the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Strong examples show visible "shadow" or spread lettering readable to the naked eye. Weaker examples — where the hub rotation was slight — may require magnification to confirm.
The value of a 1958 DDO depends entirely on the strength and visibility of the doubling, the coin's overall grade, and whether it achieves FBL designation. Dramatic, well-documented doubling on a gem uncirculated coin would be significant; subtle examples command only modest premiums. Because the 1958-P had one of the lowest mintages in the Franklin series, any die variety for this date naturally has limited total examples available to collectors.
Off-center strikes occur when a planchet feeds into the coinage press off-axis, so the dies do not perfectly center over the blank. The resulting coin has the design struck to one portion, leaving a plain, unstruck crescent or arc of silver on the other side. Clipped planchet errors happen earlier — when the punch that cuts blanks from the silver strip overlaps a previously punched hole, producing a coin with a curved bite removed from its edge.
Both error types are dramatic and immediately visible without magnification. On a 1958 Franklin half dollar, off-center strikes show the Franklin portrait and bell design displaced from the coin's center, sometimes by 10%, 20%, or even more. More severe off-center examples — those offset 30% or more while retaining a legible date — are the most valuable. Clipped planchets show a smooth, curved indentation on the rim where the planchet punching overlap occurred.
Because these are mechanical production errors rather than die varieties, each off-center or clipped example is unique in its precise offset. Collectors of mint errors prize these coins as dramatic proof that something went wrong on the production floor. Value scales with the percentage of off-center shift and the overall coin grade — a sharply struck, minimally worn example with a 20%+ off-center shift commands a strong collector premium. Both types should be submitted to PCGS or NGC for authentication and encapsulation.
| Variety | Mint | Mintage | Survival Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 (No Mint Mark) | Philadelphia | 4,042,000 | Lowest business-strike mintage in the series — gem MS65+ examples are scarcer than the high mintage suggests |
| 1958-D | Denver | 23,962,412 | Highly common in all circulated and lower mint-state grades; becomes scarce above MS66 FBL |
| 1958 Proof | Philadelphia | 875,652 | All proofs struck with special dies and mirrored planchets; Deep Cameo examples scarce relative to total mintage |
| Total 1958 Production | ~28,880,064 | Including all business strikes and proofs | |
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This chart covers the most important varieties and conditions. For a full illustrated breakdown of each variety and condition tier, the detailed 1958 half dollar identification walkthrough on CoinValueApp is an excellent reference. The Full Bell Lines (FBL) row is highlighted in gold — that's where most of the collector premium lives on this date.
| Variety | Worn (G–F) | Circulated (VF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS60–64) | Gem (MS65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-P (No Mint Mark) | $20 – $34 | $34 – $45 | $36 – $65 | $75 – $360 |
| 1958-P FBL Signature | $20 – $34 | $18 – $29 | $38 – $200 | $200 – $1,700+ |
| 1958-D | $20 – $34 | $34 – $45 | $36 – $65 | $75 – $410 |
| 1958-D FBL | $20 – $34 | $18 – $29 | $38 – $200 | $200 – $1,010+ |
| 1958 Proof (Regular) | N/A | N/A | $31 – $80 | $80 – $1,010 |
| 1958 Proof CAM | N/A | N/A | $32 – $120 | $120 – $4,830 |
| 1958 Proof DCAM Rarest | N/A | N/A | $46 – $200 | $200 – $8,280+ |
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* All values based on PCGS, NGC, and Heritage auction data · 2026 edition · Silver melt value (~$20) sets the floor for all circulated examples · Proof coins cannot earn FBL designation
The Franklin half dollar's open, exposed fields make it one of the most condition-sensitive coins in the 20th-century series. Tiny contact marks that would be invisible on a busier design are painfully obvious here.
High points are flat. Franklin's hair detail above the ear is mostly gone. The Liberty Bell outline is clear but the bell lines are merged or absent. These coins trade at or near silver melt value. Even in this condition they are worth more than 50 cents face value.
Franklin's hair shows partial detail at the high points. The bell retains some texture. About Uncirculated (AU) coins have just a trace of friction on Franklin's cheekbone and the high points of the bell — original luster visible in the protected areas. Small premium over melt.
Full original Mint luster with no wear, though contact marks and bag marks are present. The large, open fields of this coin make bag marks very visible. MS60–62 coins have numerous hits; MS63–64 are noticeably cleaner. FBL designation begins to add meaningful premiums at MS63 and above.
Exceptionally clean surfaces with only trivial marks under magnification. Full, vibrant luster. At MS65 and MS66, Full Bell Lines designation elevates value significantly. MS67 examples are very scarce — fewer than a few dozen known — and MS67 FBL examples in original toning can reach the very top of the market.
📱 CoinKnow can match your coin's surface details and luster level against a library of graded examples to help estimate condition before you decide whether to submit for professional grading — a coin identifier and value app.
Where you sell matters almost as much as what you're selling. Different venues favor different grades and buyer types.
The best venue for gem-grade examples (MS65+), FBL-designated coins, cameo proofs, and top error varieties. Heritage reaches the widest pool of serious collectors and regularly sets record prices for premium Franklins. Expect consignment fees, but top-quality coins more than make up for them in competitive bidding.
Ideal for circulated examples, bulk silver lots, and lower-grade uncirculated coins. The market is liquid and prices are transparent. Check recent sold prices for 1958-D Franklin half dollars on CoinHix to calibrate your asking price before listing. Always photograph both sides and the edge in good lighting to attract confident buyers.
Fast, convenient, and no shipping risk — but dealers buy at wholesale (typically 60–75% of retail) to leave room for their margin. Great for lower-grade silver coins where convenience outweighs the price gap. For FBL or proof coins, compare the dealer's offer to recent eBay and Heritage results first.
The r/coins and r/CRH communities can help you get a free opinion on grade and variety before committing to a sale venue. The r/PMsforsale subreddit allows direct peer sales of silver coins. Community members are generally knowledgeable about Franklin halves and can flag FBL potential or error varieties you might have missed.
Most circulated 1958 Franklin half dollars are worth between $20 and $35, which tracks close to their 90% silver melt value. Uncirculated examples (MS60–MS64) typically bring $36–$60. Coins grading MS65 or higher command stronger premiums, especially those designated Full Bell Lines (FBL) by PCGS or NGC. Proof coins struck in Philadelphia start around $31 and climb dramatically for Cameo and Deep Cameo examples.
Full Bell Lines refers to the two complete, uninterrupted horizontal lines at the base of the Liberty Bell on the reverse. A Franklin half dollar earns this designation from PCGS only in grades MS60 or higher, and the lines must show full separation with no distracting marks cutting through them. FBL coins are far rarer than their non-FBL counterparts at any given grade and typically sell for several times more — sometimes dramatically more at gem grades.
The all-time record is $129,250, set at Legend Rare Coin Auctions' Regency 28 sale in September 2018. The coin was a spectacular, monster-toned 1958 Philadelphia half dollar graded PCGS MS67+ Full Bell Lines with a CAC sticker — one of only two examples ever graded that high by PCGS. Its extraordinary toning and perfect eye appeal drove bidding far beyond pre-sale estimates of $15,000–$17,500.
The Philadelphia Mint struck 4,042,000 circulation strikes in 1958 — one of the lowest mintages in the entire Franklin series. The Denver Mint produced 23,962,412 coins, making the 1958-D roughly six times more common. Philadelphia also struck 875,652 Proof half dollars that year, all intended for collector sets rather than circulation. The 1958-P's low mintage makes it scarcer in gem condition despite appearing common in lower grades.
Flip the coin to the reverse and look at the bottom of the Liberty Bell. You will see two sets of horizontal lines — the lower set of two lines and an upper set of three. Under a 10× loupe, check whether every line is fully separated from its neighbor with no gap, smear, or contact mark breaking the lines. If both sets are complete and uninterrupted, your coin may qualify for FBL designation. Even tiny contact marks in the lines can disqualify a coin.
The 1958-D Franklin half dollar has the same obverse portrait of Benjamin Franklin and reverse Liberty Bell design as the Philadelphia issue. To find the mint mark, look on the reverse (bell side) just above the yoke — the horizontal bar at the base of the bell — where a small letter 'D' will be visible. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark. The Denver version had a far higher mintage of nearly 24 million coins, making it easier to find in all grades.
The most documented valuable error for this date is the 1958 FS-402 Obverse Die Clash, a CONECA-listed die variety where the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, leaving a ghost impression. In MS67 FBL condition this variety sold for $6,250 in 2021. Other collectible errors include the Repunched Mintmark (RPM) on 1958-D coins, the Doubled Die Obverse (DDO), and off-center or clipped planchet errors.
Yes, especially in higher grades and with Cameo or Deep Cameo contrast. A regular 1958 Proof (no cameo) in PR60 starts around $31, but a Deep Cameo proof (DCAM) in top grades can bring $4,830 or significantly more. The 875,652 proof mintage is relatively large, but deep cameo examples are scarce. Look for sharp frosted relief devices contrasting against mirror-like fields — that contrast is what earns the premium Cameo designations.
Absolutely not. Cleaning a coin — even gently with water or a cloth — removes the original surface luster and leaves hairlines visible under magnification. PCGS and NGC will detail-grade a cleaned coin, noting 'Cleaned' or 'Improperly Cleaned,' which sharply reduces its value and makes it much harder to sell. Original, original-surface coins always command premiums over cleaned examples. Even a heavily toned coin is preferable to a bright, cleaned one.
Every 1958 Franklin half dollar is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper. Each coin weighs 12.50 grams, giving it a pure silver content of approximately 0.3617 troy ounces. This means your coin carries a minimum silver melt value regardless of its numismatic condition — roughly $20–$22 at typical silver prices. Even the most worn, common-date examples are always worth more than their 50-cent face value because of this silver content.
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