1953 half dollar

Identifying it

A 1953 half dollar is a Franklin, designed by John R. Sinnock. The obverse shows Benjamin Franklin facing right and the reverse the Liberty Bell, with a small eagle to satisfy the statute. It measures 30.6mm across.

Mint mark: Reverse, above the beam of the Liberty Bell.

Because it is solid silver alloy all the way through, the edge is the fastest check: hold it side on and look for an unbroken silver-grey band. A clad coin of the same design shows a copper stripe sandwiched between two lighter layers. The other three checks take about the same time.

The rest of the jar

Every circulating silver denomination in 1953 used the same 90% alloy, so their silver content is simply proportional to face value. If you are sorting a mixed container, these are the numbers you need.