An MS-67 Full Bell Lines specimen sold for $14,100 at Heritage Auctions — yet most circulated examples are worth closer to $20. The gap is defined by the Bugs Bunny variety, Full Bell Lines, and grade. This free guide — with live calculator — tells you exactly where your coin lands.
For a thorough step-by-step 1955 half dollar identification and value breakdown, consult that guide before using the chart below. Values here are based on PCGS and Heritage auction data and reflect the coin's condition, variety, and any special designation.
| Variety | Worn (G–VF) | Circulated (EF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS-63–64) | Gem (MS-65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Strike (no FBL) | $18 – $25 | $25 – $45 | $35 – $70 | $80 – $200 |
| ⭐ Bugs Bunny FS-401 (no FBL) | $20 – $30 | $30 – $55 | $50 – $130 | $400 – $1,950 |
| Full Bell Lines (FBL) | N/A | $35 – $60 | $55 – $120 | $150 – $4,950 |
| 🔥 Bugs Bunny FBL (FS-401 FBL) | N/A | $40 – $80 | $80 – $200 | $625 – $5,000+ |
| Clashed Die FS-403 | $20 – $30 | $30 – $55 | $45 – $90 | $100 – $500 |
| Proof (PR-65) | — (not circulated) — | $90 – $110 | $120 – $300+ | |
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The 1955 Philadelphia Mint run produced several distinct die varieties and errors that command meaningful premiums over a regular business strike. Understanding what each variety looks like — and where the diagnostic features are — is the difference between spending $40 and spending $400 on the right coin. The four varieties below cover the spectrum from common die clashes to conditionally rare planchet errors.
The Bugs Bunny variety is the most celebrated die clash in the entire Franklin Half Dollar series. It occurred when the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, a mishap that transferred a raised impression of the eagle's wing feather tips onto the obverse die at Franklin's mouth.
The result is a small raised spike or line projecting outward from Franklin's upper lip, giving the portrait the uncanny appearance of buck teeth — hence the "Bugs Bunny" nickname. On strong examples, the clash line is visible to the naked eye; magnification with a 5× or 10× loupe confirms even subtle strikes.
Collector demand is robust because this is one of the most visually striking and photogenic die-clash varieties in U.S. numismatics. The combination with a Full Bell Lines designation pushes values into four figures, with premium MS-66 FBL examples documented at $1,500–$5,000 at Heritage and GreatCollections. PCGS designates this as FS-401 on certified holders.
Full Bell Lines is not an error in the traditional sense — it is a premium strike designation awarded when the Liberty Bell's lower horizontal lines on the reverse are fully struck and unbroken from rim to rim. Because the master die used from 1955 onward was worn, achieving FBL on a 1955 coin required exceptionally fresh working dies and a well-centered, heavy strike.
The diagnostic inspection focuses on the two rows of horizontal lines below the bell's crack. Under a 10× loupe, every line must run continuously across the full width of the bell without a break or gap. A single interruption — whether from a die deficiency or a bag mark landing on those lines — disqualifies the FBL designation.
The scarcity of FBL strikes from this date elevates the value substantially. PCGS has certified the 1955 FBL (PCGS #86670) with an auction record of $14,100 at Heritage Auctions in January 2016 for an MS-67 FBL specimen — the highest recorded sale for any 1955 Franklin Half Dollar. MS-65 FBL pieces routinely bring $150–$400, and MS-66 FBL examples sell for $400–$900 at recent auctions.
The FS-403 is a separate die clash variety from the famous Bugs Bunny FS-401, arising from a different clash event at the Philadelphia Mint in 1955. In this case, the die clash transferred elements between the obverse and reverse dies in areas other than Franklin's mouth, leaving faint ghost impressions of the eagle's design in the open fields of the obverse, and/or traces of Franklin's portrait on the reverse fields near the bell.
Identifying FS-403 requires careful examination of the field areas under oblique lighting — tilt the coin so a single light source rakes across the surface. You will notice faint raised outlines or ridges that correspond to design elements from the opposite die. On the obverse, look for ghost impressions of the eagle's tail feathers in the field below the date; on the reverse, watch for traces of Franklin's shoulder near the bell.
While less famous than the Bugs Bunny, FS-403 appeals to specialists who focus on die variety collecting within the Franklin series. In circulated grades, the premium over a regular strike is modest — roughly $5–$10. In gem uncirculated, a well-preserved FS-403 with visible clash marks can reach $500–$1,500, particularly with an FBL designation layered on top.
A curved clip error occurs during planchet preparation — before the coin blank ever reaches the striking chamber. When the blanking press punches out planchets from a silver strip, the strip must advance correctly between punches. If the strip overlaps a previously punched hole, the resulting blank has a crescent-shaped section missing from its edge, which survives through the striking process and appears on the finished coin.
The diagnostic features are the curved indentation at the edge (typically at the 10 o'clock position on the obverse, though position varies) and the Blakesley Effect — a weak or flattened rim area directly opposite the clip at approximately 4 o'clock. Design elements near the clip may appear slightly stretched as the metal flowed during the strike toward the missing area.
Curved clip errors on 1955 Franklin Half Dollars are genuine rarities because planchet errors rarely survived quality control at the Philadelphia Mint in this era. The combination of a clip error with the 1955's low mintage and collector appeal makes these especially desirable to error specialists. Minor clips sell for $75–$150 in MS-63 FBL; larger, more dramatic clips with the 1955 date command $200–$400 or more depending on the size and visibility of the missing section.
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| Issue | Mint | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 Business Strike | Philadelphia (no mint mark) | 2,498,181 | Lowest business-strike mintage in the Franklin series (1948–1963) |
| 1955 Proof | Philadelphia | 378,200 | First year of flat-pack annual sets; cameo/deep cameo proofs more common than earlier years |
| Total 1955 | Philadelphia only | 2,876,381 | No Denver or San Francisco strikes in 1955 |
Moderate to heavy wear across Franklin's cheek, jaw, and hair details. The Liberty Bell lettering is visible but worn flat at the center. Bell lines at the base are mostly smooth. Most hair wisps behind the ear are merged. Value range: $18–$45 depending on exact grade and silver price.
Light wear visible on Franklin's cheek and the high points of hair above the ear. Bell lines are partially present but not complete. Mint luster survives in the recesses. AU-58 pieces with just a trace of high-point friction can be very attractive. Value: $30–$55.
No wear — cartwheel luster intact across fields and devices. Bag marks visible in the fields and on Franklin's cheek. The bell lines may be partial or complete. A coin with moderate marks grades MS-63; fewer, lighter marks push toward MS-64. Value: $35–$120.
Full luster with only minor contact marks — nothing distracting to the naked eye. The obverse fields are clean; Franklin's cheek shows minimal abrasion. Bell lines may still be partial (non-FBL) at MS-65. Adding FBL to MS-65 doubles or triples value. MS-66+ is genuinely scarce. Value: $80–$4,950+.
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The Bugs Bunny variety is the most-searched and most valuable common variety of the 1955 Franklin Half Dollar. Use this quick checker to see if your coin likely carries the FS-401 designation.
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This calculator works best if you already know your coin's condition and any error features. If you're unsure, there's a 1955 Franklin Half Dollar Coin Value Checker online tool that walks you through identification using photos before you estimate value.
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The right venue depends on your coin's grade and variety. High-grade FBL and Bugs Bunny specimens deserve auction exposure; common circulated examples are better suited to direct buyers.
The top venue for MS-65+ FBL and Bugs Bunny FS-401 examples. Heritage reaches the deepest pool of Franklin specialists and has set the all-time record for the 1955 issue at $14,100. Expect 15–20% buyer's premium; consignment minimums apply for lower-value coins. Best for any coin likely grading MS-66 or higher, or with both FBL and Bugs Bunny together.
Ideal for circulated, MS-63, and MS-64 examples without special designations. Check recently sold prices for 1955 Franklin Half Dollars on completed eBay listings to price your coin competitively. PCGS or NGC certified coins sell faster and for higher prices than raw (uncertified) examples, even in the same grade range.
Provides instant payment and requires no shipping or listing effort. Expect dealer bids of 60–75% of retail for circulated examples — dealers need margin to resell. If you have a high-grade or variety coin, get at least two dealer quotes. Local shops are excellent for worn examples where auction fees would eat into net proceeds.
The r/Coins4Sale and NumismaticForum communities allow direct collector-to-collector sales with no buyer's premium. Fees are minimal but you'll need a solid reputation (karma/feedback). Best for mid-grade MS-63 to MS-65 examples where you can educate a buyer about the 1955's low mintage. Certified coins are preferred; raw coins require extra trust-building.
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