Struck in 90% silver at the Denver Mint, the 1957-D Franklin half dollar is from an earlier era in America when many U.S. coins bore the intrinsic value of precious metal. One year after the Franklin half dollar design was retired in 1963, the age of circulating 90% silver coins came to an end. The Franklin series honored the first non-president to be depicted on a regular-issue U.S. coin, a tribute to one of early America's greatest contributors and personalities.