The 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar is worth anywhere from $10 in heavily worn condition to well over $200 in uncirculated mint state — and top-grade examples have sold for thousands at auction. If you found one of these silver coins tucked away in a drawer, a jar, or an old collection, you’re in the right place to find out exactly what you’ve got.
What Is the 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar?
The 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar was struck at the Denver Mint, indicated by the small “D” mintmark on the reverse side of the coin. It’s part of the Franklin Half Dollar series, which ran from 1948 to 1963. These coins feature Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse.
One of the most important things to know is that this coin is made of 90% silver. That alone gives it real, tangible value even in worn condition. With silver prices hovering around $25–$30 per ounce, the melt value of a 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar is roughly $8–$9 just for the metal content.
If you’re not sure what you’re holding or want a quick identification, you can use a free coin identifier app to get started before diving deeper into grading and valuation.
1958-D Franklin Half Dollar Value by Grade
Coin value depends heavily on condition, which collectors measure using a grade from 1 to 70. The higher the grade, the more the coin is worth. Here’s a general breakdown of what the 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar is worth at different grade levels:
| Grade / Condition | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, design visible | $10–$12 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, clear details | $12–$15 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $15–$20 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-55) | Slight wear, most luster remains | $20–$35 |
| MS-60 to MS-63 | Uncirculated, minor marks | $35–$80 |
| MS-64 to MS-65 | Gem uncirculated, sharp strike | $100–$250+ |
| MS-66 and above | Superb gem, rare quality | $500–$5,000+ |
For the most up-to-date market data, you can check out current 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar prices across mint state grades to see what these coins are actually selling for right now.
What Makes Some 1958-D Halves Worth More Than Others
Not all 1958-D Franklin Half Dollars are created equal. Two big factors push value up significantly: strike quality and bell lines.
Franklin Half Dollars are famous among collectors for something called “Full Bell Lines” (FBL). This refers to the horizontal lines at the bottom of the Liberty Bell on the reverse. On many coins, these lines were worn or weakly struck, making them incomplete. Coins with sharp, complete bell lines are designated FBL by grading services and can be worth several times more than coins without that designation.
Strike quality also matters because the Denver Mint during this era sometimes produced coins with slightly softer strikes compared to Philadelphia. Finding a sharply struck, fully detailed 1958-D in high grade is genuinely rare.
CoinHix is a great tool to track these premium coins, as it shows real-time auction results and sales data broken down by specific attributes like FBL designation and grade.
How Many 1958-D Franklin Half Dollars Were Made?
The Denver Mint produced approximately 23,962,412 half dollars in 1958. That’s a relatively generous mintage for the series, which is one reason why circulated examples aren’t especially scarce.
However, most of those coins went into everyday commerce and picked up heavy wear over the years. High-grade survivors — especially those in MS-65 and above with Full Bell Lines — are genuinely hard to find.
This is one of those coins where condition really makes all the difference. A worn example is a nice silver coin worth a modest premium. A gem uncirculated example with FBL is a true collector’s item.
You can find a complete breakdown of 1958 Franklin Half Dollar value details including both Philadelphia and Denver issues to compare how mintage and condition affect prices across the board.
How to Check Your 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar Value
If you want to know exactly what your coin is worth, the best approach is to start with a good visual inspection. Look at both sides under good lighting. Check for wear on Franklin’s hair and cheekbone on the front, and on the Liberty Bell and the eagle on the back.
Then compare your coin to graded examples online. CoinHix makes this easy by letting you browse recent sales organized by grade, so you can see coins similar to yours and what they actually sold for — not just estimated values.
For a quick at-home assessment, CoinHix also offers smart coin scanning features that can help you identify the coin and estimate a starting value range before you take it to a dealer or submit it for professional grading.
FAQ
Q: Is the 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar made of silver?
A: Yes. Like all Franklin Half Dollars minted before 1965, the 1958-D is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. It contains 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver, giving it a melt value of approximately $8–$10 depending on current silver prices.
Q: What does the “D” mintmark mean on a 1958 Franklin Half Dollar?
A: The “D” mintmark stands for the Denver Mint, where the coin was produced. You’ll find it on the reverse side of the coin, above the bell’s yoke. The Philadelphia Mint also produced Franklin Half Dollars in 1958, but those coins have no mintmark.
Q: Should I clean my 1958-D Franklin Half Dollar to make it look better?
A: No — never clean a coin. Cleaning removes the natural patina and surface luster, which significantly reduces the coin’s collector value. Even a coin that looks dirty or dull to the untrained eye can lose 50% or more of its value if it has been polished or wiped. Leave it as-is and let a professional grader assess it in its original state.
