The JFK Half Dollar, first minted in 1964 to honor President John F. Kennedy after his assassination, remains a popular coin among collectors and investors. While many of these coins were produced for circulation, certain years, mint marks, and errors can significantly increase their value.
From the early 90% silver issues to later clad varieties, understanding the key factors that influence the worth of a Kennedy Half Dollar is essential for anyone interested in numismatics. This guide explores what makes some JFK Half Dollars more valuable than others and what to look for in your collection.
Key Takeaways
As of February 2025, the NGC Price Guide estimates that a 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar in circulated condition is valued between $13.50 and $14.25. However, these coins in uncirculated, pristine condition can fetch up to $5,200 on the open market.
What Are 1964 JFK Half Dollars?
The 1964 JFK Half Dollar is a fifty-cent coin that was first issued by the United States Mint in 1964, following the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The coin was designed to honor and commemorate the 35th President of the United States, capturing the essence of his legacy and serving as a cherished keepsake for collectors and history buffs alike.
Created by American sculptor Gilroy Roberts, the 1964 JFK Half Dollar features a profile portrait of John F. Kennedy on the obverse side of the coin, while the reverse side displays a rendition of the Presidential Seal. The intricate design elements and attention to detail make this coin stand out as a stunning piece of numismatic art. The 1964-1971 version of the coin is 90% silver and 10% copper, the same composition as Mercury Dimes.
How to Tell if Your JFK Half Dollars Are Rare?
Determining the rarity and potential value of your JFK Half Dollars can be an exciting process. This section will guide you through the essential steps to help you identify the factors that can heavily impact the value of your JFK Half Dollars, such as apparent condition, date, mint marks, and mint errors.
Examine the Coin’s Condition
The condition of a JFK Half Dollar plays a significant role in its value, like all coins. Inspect the coin for signs of wear, damage, or marks that may affect its overall appearance. Pay close attention to the luster and the sharpness of the details in the design. Coins in better condition generally command higher prices, with those in a near-pristine state being the most sought after by collectors, especially for old coins like these.
Check the Date
JFK Half Dollars are still being minted today, but most minted after 1964 aren’t worth much more than face value.
Identify Mint Marks
Mint marks are small letters found on coins to indicate the specific mint facility where they were produced. For JFK Half Dollars, the mint mark is located on the obverse side, just below the truncation of Kennedy’s portrait. The primary mint marks for this coin are “D” for the Denver Mint, “S” for the San Francisco Mint, and “P” or no mark for the Philadelphia Mint. Some mints produced more JFK Half Dollars than others, making some mint marks rarer.
Look for Mint Errors
Mint errors are rare anomalies that occur during the coin production process. These can include overstamping errors, doubled dies, off-center strikes, and other unusual variations. Coins with notable mint errors are often the most valuable due to their extreme rarity.
To determine if your JFK Half Dollar is rare, give it a thorough examination, taking note of the factors mentioned above. While these guidelines can help you get a rough idea of your coin’s rarity, professional coin grading services can provide a more accurate assessment of its condition and value.
For example, if you notice a rare mint error on your coin but aren’t sure of its condition, it’s probably a good idea to get it professionally graded. Ultimately, the rarity and value of your JFK Half Dollar will depend on a combination of these factors and the current market demand among collectors.
What Are JFK Half Dollars Usually Worth?
JFK Half Dollars can be worth barely more than 50 cents or up to $150,000 if you hit the rare coin jackpot. Here are a few examples of JFK Half Dollars, common and rare, to give you an idea of the coin’s value. Keep in mind that coin values fluctuate based on various factors, including market demand, overall condition, and rarity.
1. 1971-2023 JFK Half Dollars: The U.S. Mint decided to replace the coin’s silver-copper composition with a copper-nickel blend. These are usually the cheapest JFK Half Dollars, worth a few dollars at best, assuming that they don’t have other confounding factors like a rare mint error.
2. Silver 1964 JFK Half Dollars: The 1964 JFK Half Dollar is usually the most valuable version of the coin. It holds more historical value as they were minted right after the assassination. The silver composition of the coin gives it innate value as well. Depending on the coin’s condition and prevailing silver prices, a 1964 JFK Half Dollar can be worth anywhere from $8 to $15 or more (without mint errors or other confounding marks).
3. 1964 SMS SP 68 JFK Half Dollars: The U.S. Mint sold a special mint set of 1c, 5c, 10c, 25c, and 50c pieces between 1965 and 1967. The 50c coin included a special JFK Half Dollar, similar to a proof coin. The strange thing about this coin is that it was minted a year before the special mint sets were. Collectors think that it may have been the mint experimenting for the upcoming special mint sets, but no one is sure. They don’t even know how these coins were minted because they have a unique satin finish, and the strike is much sharper than even coins in the special mint sets. Only about 15 of these coins (in SP 68 condition) have been auctioned off, and the last one went for over $150,000.
Ultimately, the value of a JFK Half Dollar will depend on the specific coin in question, its condition, rarity, and market demand. While some may be worth only a small premium above face value, others can command much higher prices, particularly if they are rare or have unique attributes that make them desirable to collectors. Remember that you may need to consult a coin grading service or impartial dealer to get a more accurate estimate of your JFK Half Dollar’s value.
There are a number of ways that you can buy 1964 JFK Half Dollars. One of the best is to go through a reputable precious metals and coin dealer JM Bullion or APMEX. American Hartford Gold also lets you invest in all kinds of coins, gold, and silver, including 1964 JFK Half Dollars, a long list of circulated, uncirculated, and proof coins, as well as other forms of bullion. The platform also lets you purchase precious metals in an IRA.
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Are My 1964 JFK Half Dollars Worth Selling?
Your JFK Half Dollars may well be worth selling, but only if they are valuable enough to offset the value they have as collectibles. If you hit the jackpot with an incredibly rare JFK Half Dollar, it might be a great idea to cash in, no matter how cool the coin is. If your coins were minted after 1971 and don’t have any mint marks, they may not be worth grading, let alone selling.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is valuable because it was the first year of issue and contains 90% silver, making it highly desirable for both collectors and silver investors. It was also minted in response to President Kennedy’s assassination, adding historical significance. Its silver content alone gives it intrinsic value, often higher than its face value.
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The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar contains 90% silver and 10% copper, with a total silver weight of 0.3617 troy ounces.
