What it is
When the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, part of the eagle from the reverse transferred onto the obverse. On some 1955 Franklins it shows as two lines from Franklin's mouth that look like buck teeth.
How to identify it
- Two small lines extend from Franklin's lips, like rabbit teeth.
- Other clash marks may be visible around the portrait.
- Philadelphia: no mint mark.
A 5x to 10x loupe and good, angled light make the details much easier to see. For anything that looks genuine, a digital scale and a certified comparison coin help.
What gets mistaken for it
Scratches near the mouth are not the variety. Clash marks are raised and follow the shape of the opposite die's design.
The regular 1955 coin
The variety appears on the 1955 Franklin Half Dollar, which had a total mintage of 2,498,181. That figure counts the whole issue, so it does not tell you how many coins show the variety.
How a die clash creates Bugs Bunny
A die clash happens when the press closes with no planchet between the dies. The two dies strike each other directly and each leaves an impression of its design on the other. On the 1955 dies, parts of the eagle from the reverse ended up near Franklin's mouth. Those clash marks look like two buck teeth, giving the coin its nickname.
The marks are faint and raised, because the die surface was dented in by the clash. They are part of the die, so every coin struck from it afterward shows them.
The 1955 Franklin half
The 1955 Franklin had the lowest business strike mintage in the series, about 2.5 million coins, all from Philadelphia. Proofs struck the same year bring the total to about 2.9 million. That small mintage made it popular even before the Bugs Bunny variety was known.
John R. Sinnock designed the Franklin half dollar, which was struck from 1948 to 1963 in 90% silver. The reverse shows the Liberty Bell with a small eagle to its right.
A step-by-step check
Use a 5x loupe and a light from above. Find Franklin's mouth and look for two short lines extending from the lips. Then look at the rest of the portrait and the field for other faint clash marks. The teeth should be raised, smooth and the same texture as the surrounding field.
Weigh the coin: a silver Franklin weighs about 12.5 grams. Check the reverse above the Liberty Bell's beam for a mint mark. A 1955 Franklin has none.
Look-alikes
Scratches near the mouth, die chips and weak strikes are the common false finds. Collectors also see clash marks on other dates of Franklin halves, but the 1955 Bugs Bunny is the one with this nickname. A coin that shows clash marks elsewhere but nothing at the mouth is a clashed die but not the famous variety.
Check the teeth with a 10x loupe. Raised clash marks catch the light, while scratches show as grooves.
Strong and weak teeth
Not every Bugs Bunny half shows the same strength. Clash marks are shallow. As a die keeps striking coins its surface wears and the marks can soften. Some dies were also lightly polished to reduce clash marks. As a result, some coins show bold teeth while others show only faint traces. Collectors prefer coins with strong, clearly visible teeth. Grading services attribute only coins where the marks are clear.
When comparing coins, look at the length of the lines from the lips. Longer, sharper lines indicate an earlier strike from the clashed die.
Grades and Full Bell Lines
Many Bugs Bunny halves exist in Uncirculated condition. Franklin halves are graded for Full Bell Lines, the designation for complete lower bell lines on the Liberty Bell. A Bugs Bunny with Full Bell Lines is especially desirable. Original toning is common on 1955 halves that were stored in Mint sets.
Collectors look for strong teeth and few bag marks on Franklin's cheek. Cleaned silver halves receive details grades.
Authentication
PCGS and NGC certify the Bugs Bunny variety. It is listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide. Ask for the variety to be noted when submitting.
Related 1955 coins
1955 produced several notable coins: the 1955 doubled die cent, the 1955 Bugs Bunny Franklin and the 1955-S cent, the last San Francisco cent until 1968. Collectors often keep them together as a 1955 year set.
Franklin half collectors also look for proof and business strike Full Bell Lines coins across the series. The 1955 is one of the most popular dates because of its low mintage.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a 1955 "Bugs Bunny" Franklin Half Dollar?
Two small lines extend from Franklin's lips, like rabbit teeth. Other clash marks may be visible around the portrait. If your coin passes these checks, have it authenticated by PCGS or NGC before buying or selling.
Is the 1955 "Bugs Bunny" Franklin Half Dollar valuable?
Genuine examples sell for a premium over regular coins of the same date. The amount depends on how strong the variety is, the coin's condition and whether it is certified. Compare recent sold auction results for certified coins in the same grade.
What is a die clash?
A die clash happens when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other with no planchet between them. Parts of each design transfer to the opposite die and appear faintly on later coins. Read more about die clashs.
Why is it called the Bugs Bunny Franklin half?
Because clash marks near Franklin's mouth look like buck teeth, like the cartoon rabbit.
Is the 1955 Franklin half silver?
Yes. All Franklin halves from 1948 to 1963 are 90% silver and weigh about 12.5 grams.
Are there 1955-D Franklin halves?
No. In 1955 only Philadelphia struck Franklin halves.