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Kennedy Half Dollar Values (1964-Date)

How Much Is My Kennedy Half Dollar Worth?

By , About.com Guide

Kennedy Half Dollar
Image Courtesy of: Heritage Auction Galleries, Ha.com

This Kennedy half dollar value guide lists average coin values based upon the condition of the coin.  If the coin shows evidence of wear on it due to being used in commerce, it considered "circulated." If it was never used, then it is classified as "uncirculated." The pictures below illustrate examples of each condition.  Please note: You cannot increase a coin's value by cleaning it. In fact, cleaned coins are worth less and coin dealers can spot a cleaned coin immediately.  Therefore, never clean your coins.

Introduction to Coin Values

There are many factors that go into determining the value of your coins. First of all you must understand how the coin market works. If the coin dealer runs out of 1964 Kennedy half dollars, he cannot just call the mint and order more of them because the mint does not make coins dated 1964 anymore. The coin dealer must restock his inventory by buying coins from fellow dealers or from people that come into his store. What he pays you for that coin is known as the "wholesale price" or "value." If you want to buy that 1964 Kennedy half from the coin dealer, that is known as the "retail price" or "price."

Market Analysis

Kennedy half dollars are quite common and can still be obtained from some banks. Circulated coins minted from 1964 to 1970 derive most of their value from their silver content. From 1965 to 1970 the silver content was reduced from 90% (in 1964 dated coins) to 40%.  Beginning with the 1971 issue, all Kennedy half dollars made for circulation contain a mixture of copper and nickel and contain no silver.

Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties

While there are some Kennedy half minor varieties , there are no issues that are exceedingly rare or expensive. The mint made special collector coins from 1965 to 1967, and again beginning in 1992 and are quite affordable for any collector's budget.  In 1976 (coins dated 1776-1976), the mint issued a special circulating commemorative coin for the bicentennial of the United States. These were made by the billions and carry no premium value.

Condition or Grade Examples

Kennedy half dollar Average Circulated Condition Circulated Kennedy half dollar Average Uncirculated Condition Uncirculated
Click on the photos above for a larger image.
Photos courtesy of Teletrade Coin Auctions, www.teletrade.com

Mint Marks

Kennedy half dollars were produced at three different mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark or P), Denver (D) and San Francisco (S).  As illustrated in the pictures below, the mint mark is located on the reverse of the 1964 coin located on the left-hand side just below the eagle's claw.  From 1968 until today, the mint mark is located on the obverse of the coin just below the point of Kennedy's bust and above the date. From 1965 to 1967 all U.S. coins did not carry a mint mark.

Kennedy half dollar 1964  mint mark location
Mint Mark Location
Kennedy half Dollar mint mark location after 1968
Mint Mark Location
1968 and after
Images © 2012 James Bucki

Kennedy Half Dollar Value

The following chart lists the value (what you can expect a dealer to pay you) for your Kennedy half dollar. The first column lists the date and mint mark (see the photo above) followed by the value of an average circulated ("Avg Circ") coin and the average value for an uncirculated ("Avg Unc") one. These are approximate values and the actual offer that you will receive from a particular dealer will vary depending on the actual grade of the coin and a number of other factors. For issues containing silver, some pricing is based upon the spot price of silver which is approximately $32 per Troy ounce as of this writing.

Date Avg Circ Avg Unc Date Avg Circ Avg Unc
90% Silver 1991 F.V. $1.20
1964 B.V. $6.50 1991 D F.V. $1.80
1964 D B.V. $6.51 1992 F.V. F.V.
40% Silver 1992 D F.V. $1.30
1965 B.V. $3.00 1993 F.V. $1.00
1966 B.V. $3.00 1993 D F.V. F.V.
1967 B.V. $3.00 1994 F.V. F.V.
1968 D B.V. $3.00 1994 D F.V. F.V.
1969 D B.V. $3.00 1995 F.V. F.V.
1970 D B.V. $6.50 1995 D F.V. F.V.
Copper-Nickel Clad (no silver) 1996 F.V. F.V.
1971 F.V. $0.80 1996 D F.V. F.V.
1971 D F.V. $0.80 1997 F.V. F.V.
1972 F.V. $0.80 1997 D F.V. F.V.
1972 D F.V. $0.80 1998 F.V. F.V.
1973 F.V. $0.70 1998 D F.V. F.V.
1973 D F.V. $0.70 1999 F.V. F.V.
1974 F.V. $0.70 1999 D F.V. F.V.
1974 D F.V. $0.80 2000 F.V. F.V.
1976 F.V. $0.60 2000 D F.V. F.V.
1976 D F.V. F.V. 2001 F.V. F.V.
1976 S 40% Silver B.V. $3.00 2001 D F.V. F.V.
1977 F.V. F.V. 2002 F.V. F.V.
1977 D F.V. F.V. 2002 D F.V. F.V.
1978 F.V. F.V. 2003 F.V. F.V.
1978 D F.V. F.V. 2003 D F.V. F.V.
1979 F.V. F.V. 2004 F.V. F.V.
1979 D F.V. F.V. 2004 D F.V. F.V.
1980 F.V. F.V. 2005 F.V. F.V.
1980 D F.V. F.V. 2005 D F.V. F.V.
1981 F.V. F.V. 2006 F.V. F.V.
1981 D F.V. F.V. 2006 D F.V. F.V.
1982 F.V. $1.00 2007 F.V. F.V.
1982 D F.V. $1.00 2007 D F.V. F.V.
1983 F.V. $1.00 2008 F.V. F.V.
1983 D F.V. $1.00 2008 D F.V. F.V.
1984 F.V. $1.00 2009 F.V. F.V.
1984 D F.V. $1.00 2009 D F.V. F.V.
1985 F.V. $1.00 2010 F.V. F.V.
1985 D F.V. $1.00 2010 D F.V. F.V.
1986 F.V. $3.00 2011 P F.V. F.V.
1986 D F.V. $2.00 2011 D F.V. F.V.
1987 F.V. $1.50 2012 P F.V. F.V.
1987 D F.V. $1.50 2012 D F.V. F.V.
1988 F.V. $1.50 2013 P F.V. F.V.
1988 D F.V. $1.50 2013 D F.V. F.V.
1989 F.V. $1.50 2014 P F.V. F.V.
1989 D F.V. F.V. 2014 D F.V. F.V.
1990 F.V. $1.00
1990 D F.V. $1.50

F.V. = Face Value
B.V. = Bullion Value (or Melt Value)

These values have been compiled through my personal analysis of the coin market, referencing publications such as Numismatic News, Coin World, "The Official Blue Book; Handbook of U.S. Coins," The Coin Dealer Newsletter, published auction results and consulting with various coin dealers.


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