The 1961 Franklin half dollar was produced at the Denver Mint during the first year of John F. Kennedy's presidency. Struck in 90% fine silver, Franklin half dollars represented the first time that a non-president was depicted on a circulating U.S. coin. Benjamin Franklin is credited with the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, helping draft the Declaration of Independence, signing a critical treaty with France in 1778 during the Revolutionary War, and participating in the Constitutional Convention.