Kennedy Half-Dollar Value and Other Answers to Coin Questions

Here's everything you need to know about one of America's favorite coins — the Kennedy half-dollar.

Answers to Your Kennedy Half-Dollar Questions

A commemorative coin minted by the United States government, the Kennedy half-dollar is a piece of American history. Part of its allure is that it's everywhere. You can find Kennedy half-dollars worth $5 or $10 in circulation. And you can find Kennedy half-dollars worth much more if you find one with a better-than-average strike.

The Kennedy half-dollar was first minted in 1964, to memorialize President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. The obverse of the coin features a profile portrait of President Kennedy, while the reverse features the presidential seal. It was printed until 2004 and remains in active circulation.

Here's everything you need to know about the Kennedy half-dollar.

What Is a Kennedy Half-Dollar Worth?

Are Kennedy Half-Dollars Valuable?

Kennedy half-dollar coins are not that rare. Most of them are worth only their face value, 50 cents. However, some Kennedy half-dollars are quite valuable, depending on their condition and the year they were minted. A Kennedy half-dollar coin minted in 1970 that is in uncirculated condition is worth about $8. It's not winning the lotto, but it's something.

What Makes a Kennedy Half-Dollar Valuable?

The most valuable Kennedy half-dollar coins are those that were minted in 1970 and those with a mint mark from the Denver Mint (a "D"). These can be worth over $100. So, generally, it's the year and the mint mark that makes a Kennedy half-dollar valuable.

What Is a Kennedy Half-Dollar Coin Worth?

Technically, a Kennedy half-dollar coin is worth 50 cents each. But that's the monetary value, not the collectible value. A Kennedy half-dollar will never be worth less than 50 cents, but the most expensive Kennedy half-dollar in the world sold for $108,000 in 2019.

What Is a 1964 Kennedy Half-Dollar Worth?

Kennedy half-dollar coins minted in 1964 are generally worth their face value. This was the most popular mint of the coin.

Are Kennedy Half Dollars Still Being Minted?

Kennedy half-dollar coins have not been minted since 2004. However, they are still being circulated and can be found in change.

What Makes a Kennedy-Half Dollar Rare?

Kennedy-half dollars are rare because they were only minted for a short period of time and are no longer being minted. The earlier the year, the more valuable the coin, because of the before-mentioned silver content.

It's easy to grab a lot of Kennedy half-dollars and sort through them for the rarer ones (like the ones minted in 1970). Because of that, they've become a very popular coin to collect.

What Is the Melt Value of a Kennedy Half-Dollar?

This really depends on the silver price, but it's not generally as significant as the collectible value of the coin. This could change if silver ever becomes very expensive. Silver collectors who just want to start collecting silver could do so by trying to find Kennedy half-dollars that are still in circulation.

How Do You Identify a Kennedy Half-Dollar?

Where Is the Mint Mark on Your Kennedy Half-Dollar?

The mint mark is the tiny letter on a Kennedy half-dollar coin that indicates which U.S. Mint facility produced the coin. The mint mark for coins from the Philadelphia Mint is a "P." The mint mark for coins from the Denver Mint is a "D."

How Much Does a Kennedy Half-Dollar Weigh?

A Kennedy half-dollar coin weighs 11.34 grams, which is about the same as a U.S. dime. It's made of .900 fine silver, so it's a little heavier than you might think.

What Years of Kennedy Half-Dollars Are 90 Percent Silver?

Kennedy half-dollar coins minted in 1965, 1966, and 1967 are 90 percent silver. The silver content of these coins decreases every year until the coins are completely made of copper in 1970. So, the earlier the year, the more valuable the coin. If you're just looking for melt value, look for those years.

How Can I Tell If My Kennedy Half-Dollar Is Silver?

Kennedy half-dollar coins are made of .900 fine silver. This means that the metal in a Kennedy half-dollar is 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. You can use a magnet to test whether or not your coin is made of metal. If the magnet sticks, it's not silver. If it doesn't stick, it might be silver. You can also scratch the coin with a sharp object to see if it leaves a silver mark.

What Is the 1966 Kennedy Half-Dollar Worth?

What Is the 1966 Kennedy Half-Dollar Worth?

Uncirculated, the 1966 Kennedy half-dollar is worth about $29. The average coin will be worth around $5.

Is the 1966 Kennedy Half-Dollar Silver?

The 1966 Kennedy half-dollar coins are not silver, but once again, they are more valuable than their face value because they are rare. These coins were made of copper-nickel, unlike earlier Kennedy half-dollars that were made of .900 fine silver.

What Makes a 1971 Kennedy Half-Dollar Rare?

What Makes a 1971 Kennedy Half-Dollar Rare?

Kennedy half-dollar coins minted in 1971 are not rare, but they are more valuable than their face value because they were the last year that the coin was made of silver. So, a Kennedy half-dollar coin from 1971 can be worth around $3, but it won't make you a fortune.

Are 1973 Kennedy Half-Dollars Worth Anything?

Are 1973 Kennedy Half Dollars Worth Anything?

Kennedy half-dollar coins minted in 1973 are not rare and are only worth their face value. These coins were made of copper-nickel, unlike earlier Kennedy half-dollars that were made of .900 fine silver. The earlier coins are made of silver, as noted, which makes them rarer. An uncirculated one could be $2, but that's probably not worth running to eBay for.

Are Kennedy Bicentennial Coins Worth Anything?

Are Kennedy Bicentennial Half-Dollars Worth Anything?

Kennedy bicentennial half-dollar coins, minted in 1976 to commemorate the 200th birthday of the United States, are worth more than their face value. The coins were only minted for a year and were not released into circulation, making them rarer and more valuable than other Kennedy half-dollar coins. They can be worth around $10.

How Much Silver Is in a Kennedy Bicentennial Half-Dollar?

Kennedy bicentennial half-dollar coins are not made of silver, but they are worth more than their face value because they are rare. So it's really a combination of the material composition and the rarity of the coin that denotes value.

What Is the Error on Kennedy Bicentennial Half-Dollars?

The error on the Kennedy bicentennial half-dollar coins is that some of them were minted without the date. So these coins are more valuable because they are rarer. They can be worth around $15.

All About Collecting the Kennedy Half-Dollar

When Was the Kennedy Half-Dollar First Minted?

The Kennedy half-dollar coin was first minted in 1964, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The coin was designed by Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro. Thus, it's a part of Americana as well as being a collectible currency.

Should You Collect Kennedy Half-Dollars?

Yes. Kennedy half-dollar coins are worth more than their face value, depending on their condition and the year they were minted. The most valuable Kennedy half-dollar coins are those that were minted in 1970. These can be over a hundred dollars. In very rare scenarios, though, you could make (literally) a mint. Some are worth over $50,000. There are rare coins struck with 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.

How Do You Take Care of a Kennedy Half-Dollar?

Kennedy half-dollar coins should be stored in a cool, dry place. Humidity and heat can damage the coins, so they should not be kept in a wallet or purse. Do not try to polish collectible coins. They shouldn't even be handled. Take them to an expert if you think they might be worth a lot.

Where Would You Buy a Kennedy Half-Dollar?

Kennedy half-dollar coins can be bought at most coin dealers, or you can find them online. Online auction sites tend to have the most valuable Kennedy half-dollar coins, but these auction sites move fast and can lead to spending more than you'd expect.

Other Valuable Silver Coins

The Kennedy half-dollar is an imminently collectible coin because it's so accessible. But there are a lot of valuable silver coins out there, from the 1839 Gobrecht Silver Dollar ($200,000) to the 1896 Morgan Silver Dollar ($528,000). Have you ever seen any of these valuable silver coins?