Collectors often ask how a 1958 Half Dollar stacks up across the grading scale, so let’s lay out the numbers in one place before diving deeper. In general terms, a well‑preserved 1958 Franklin can start around twenty dollars in the lower Mint State or Proof range and then rise sharply as quality improves, with truly exceptional strikes bringing hefty premiums.
Below is a narrative version of the same information that was previously in chart form, ensuring every important figure is still here for quick reference while keeping the flow of the article intact.
For business‑strike coins struck in Philadelphia with no mint mark, values hover near $20 in MS 60, climb to roughly $27.50 in MS 63, hit about $48 in MS 65, and rocket to the mid‑hundreds—around $585—in lofty MS 67. Denver‑minted pieces (bearing a “D”) follow a similar early trajectory—about $20 in MS 60 and $27.50 in MS 63—but outpace Philadelphia at the top end, fetching close to $1,050 in MS 67 thanks to their greater scarcity at that grade.
Proofs from Philadelphia begin at approximately $20 in PR 60, jump to $60 by PR 66, reach around $75 in PR 67, and can bring roughly $165 in pristine PR 68, with cameo contrast adding further upside. These numbers provide the groundwork for understanding why condition matters so much with this classic silver half dollar.
Understanding 1958 Half Dollar Grading
Coin specialists use the Sheldon scale, which ranges from 1 to 70, to assign a precise condition to every piece. On this scale, 70 represents a flawless coin devoid of wear, contact marks, or handling, whereas a grade of 1 designates a barely identifiable slug. The prefixes “MS” (Mint State) and “PR” (Proof) denote the method of manufacture: MS coins were struck for day‑to‑day commerce—even if many survived untouched—while PR coins were minted chiefly for collectors using specially polished dies that yield mirrored fields and sharp details.
Grades from 1 through 6 fall into Basal State or Good, where a coin’s design elements are visible but heavily worn. Pieces grading 7 through 10 earn the Very Good label, showing somewhat clearer details but still heavy circulation. Fine spans 12 to 15, Very Fine is 20 to 30, and Extremely Fine sits at 40, each jump adding crisper lines and better surfaces. Just shy of mint condition is About Uncirculated at 50, where only light rub appears on the highest design points.
From 60 upward, the coin is officially Mint State, and every integer closer to 70 reflects fewer nicks, brighter luster, and, in the case of Franklin halves, stronger bell‑line definition on the Liberty Bell reverse. Understanding these bands allows collectors to price their coins accurately and judge how much value a single grade point can add—or subtract.
1958 Half Dollar by Mint Mark
The Franklin Half Dollar, designed by Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock, presents Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. During 1958, only two United States mints—Philadelphia and Denver—struck halves, each leaving its own footprint on today’s market. Because mint marks (or the absence thereof) help pinpoint origin, value, and rarity, breaking down the year’s production by facility gives a clearer sense of where premium coins come from.
1958 No Mint Mark Half Dollar
Philadelphia turned out roughly four million Franklin halves in 1958, all without a mint mark. Although four million is modest by modern standards, it is still large enough that worn examples typically sell for no more than their precious‑metal content. Each coin contains 90 percent silver, translating to just under two‑tenths of a troy ounce; at current bullion rates, that melt value sits near five dollars.
To bring a noteworthy premium, a Philly 1958 must exhibit superior surfaces—usually MS 62 or MS 63 and above—and, most critically, sharp vertical bands on the Liberty Bell. Coins certified with Full Bell Lines (FBL) status display uninterrupted, well‑struck grooves across the bell’s bottom, a feature collectors prize.
In fact, an MS 67 FBL example once realized a record‑setting $129,250 at auction, proving that crisp detail and top‑tier preservation can catapult an otherwise common‑date silver piece into six‑figure territory.
1958 D Half Dollar
Denver’s 1958 output, identified by a small “D” on the reverse, totaled a far heftier 23 million coins. While that mintage means circulated pieces are plentiful, high‑grade survivors are much less common, especially those with immaculate bell lines and vivid toning.
An MS 67 Denver coin with average strike earns roughly $1,050, yet when the same grade displays blazing luster, a rainbow of peripheral color, and certified FBL status, prices can soar past $30,000. Striking depth, eye appeal, and technical perfection all combine to give Denver coins outsized potential in the upper echelons of the grading scale.
1958 No Mint Mark Proof Half Dollar
Philadelphia also produced exactly 875,652 Proof Franklins in 1958, each issued in protective cellophane for hobbyists. These proofs, created with polished planchets and dies, typically survive in far better shape than business strikes, their mirror‑bright fields contrasting against frosted, cameo‑style devices when the dies were fresh.
Entry‑level PR 60 specimens open at about twenty dollars—largely for bullion content—but as a coin edges toward PR 68, the price increases sharply, fetching roughly $75 even without cameo contrast.
Add a strong frosted‑devices‑against‑deep‑mirror‑fields look (designated “Cameo” or “Deep Cameo”), and values escalate dramatically: a PR 68 Deep Cameo hammered for $32,900 in a 2017 sale, equaling the best Denver MS results and underscoring how finish quality can rival strike rarity.
Rare 1958 Half Dollar Errors
Large‑scale production inevitably breeds mistakes, and 1958 Franklins are no exception. Collectors hunt several varieties that command noticeable premiums:
Repunched Mintmark (RPM) – Found only on Denver coins, this anomaly shows a doubled or slightly shifted “D” where the punch struck twice. Prices vary with clarity, but the extra character elevates auction interest.
Curved Clip – If a blanking punch overlaps an old hole on the metal strip, the resulting planchet emerges with a crescent‑shaped bite missing from the edge. Depending on size and eye appeal, these pieces trade anywhere from sixty to more than two hundred dollars.
Partial Collar Strike – When the restraining collar fails to engage fully, the coin’s edge looks normal on one side and smeared or reduced on the other, giving a subtle, almost beveled profile. Values typically land between two and three hundred dollars, reflecting both novelty and scarcity.
Flawed Planchet – Lamination cracks, pits, or voids in the blank can leave the finished coin scarred with fissures or thin layers peeling back. Minor examples add perhaps fifty dollars above standard value, while dramatic, eye‑catching flaws can push much higher.
Where to Sell Your 1958 Half Dollar
If you’re ready to part with a Franklin Half Dollar—or simply want a professional opinion—consider reputable online marketplaces, major auction houses, or in‑person coin shows.
Always verify a dealer’s credentials through hobby associations or customer reviews, and, for expensive pieces, seek certification from a leading grading service such as PCGS or NGC before listing. This extra step not only protects buyers and sellers alike but also locks in a grade that can significantly boost final sale prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 1958 Half Dollars made of silver?
Yes. Every 1958 Franklin Half consists of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper, giving each coin intrinsic metal worth above face value.
How can you tell if a Half Dollar is rare?
Look first at condition: coins preserved near mint perfection or designated FBL fetch premiums. Next, check for errors such as repunched mintmarks, clips, or planchet flaws, all of which can transform an ordinary piece into a sought‑after rarity.
Which years of Half Dollars are worth keeping?
Any half dollar struck before 1965 contains 90 percent silver, making even well‑worn examples desirable. Additionally, coins from any year that boast exceptional grades, full bell lines, cameo proof surfaces, or notable errors deserve a place in a collector’s cache.
By combining an understanding of mint origin, surface preservation, and the thrill of “cherrypicking” errors, you can more accurately gauge what your 1958 Half Dollar might bring on today’s market—and whether it deserves a prized slot in your collection or a spotlight at the next coin auction.
