1949 50C, FBL MS(PCGS#86653)

1949 50C, FBL MS (PCGS#86653)

June 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Slightly speckled iridescent lilac-blue and pearl gray toning is likely the result of this coin's long-term storage in an original Mint Set holder. Satin luster is intense and provides swirling cartwheel visual effects under a light. A full strike and virtually pristine appearance round out a truly impressive list of physical attributes for this beautiful coin. Despite having generally similar mintages, the three 1949-dated issues in the Franklin half dollar series are far scarcer in Mint State than their two 1948-dated predecessors. Where the latter were widely hoarded as first-year issues, the 1949 coins were not saved to the same extent. Nowhere is this disparity more pronounced than in MS-67 FBL, at which level the 1949 is far rarer than the 1948 Philadelphia Mint issue. Bidding opportunities such as this do not come along all that often, so if assembling a high-ranked Franklin half dollar collection on the PCGS Set Registry is your goal, don't let this 1949 get away!