Collectible Kennedy Half Dollars

The first Kennedy half dollars were struck in January 1964. This series was from the beginning and is now a popular and widely collected series.

Early proof strikes from 1964 depicted Kennedy with accented hair; an estimated 100,000 coins were struck with dies having this feature. The dies were quickly altered at the request of Jacqueline Kennedy and for the remainder of the mintage of nearly four million proof coins the hair is less accented.

A few 1966 halves from Special Mint Sets are known to exist with the designer’s initials “FG” missing from the reverse, apparently because of an overpolished die. This will likely be categorized in the future as a mint error.

1970 uncirculated half dollars were struck only at the Denver mint and were available solely in mint sets. With a mintage of 2.1 million, the 1970-D Kennedy half is considered the “key” coin in the series, although enough were produced to keep prices modest. To avoid hoarding and a potential shortage of the sets, the Mint announced—after ordering for the mint sets had closed–  that 1970 half dollars would not be struck for circulation

All coins minted in 1975 and 1976 for the United States Bicentennial bore the dates “1776-1976” and these proof issues have a 4 million maintage. All 1970 and 1987 coins were issued only in special collector’s sets (none released for general circulation). Due to declining demand for half dollars, 2001 was the last year the mint issued any half dollar coins for general circulation (also called “business strikes”). Beginning with 2002, the Kennedy coins were minted in smaller numbers and sold only to collectors at premiums well above their face value.

 The 1979-S Type 2 (Clear S) coins resulted from a change in mint mark style at the San Francisco Mint part way through the year in 1979, resulting in these coins having lower mintages than their Type 1 Counterparts. In the case of the Kennedy Half, much lower mintages.

Since 1992, the Mint has struck Kennedy half dollars in 90% silver for inclusion in special silver proof sets. These coins have mintages below one million coins and should be considered semi-key dates.

1998 (Matte finish, 90% silver) S has a mintage of just 64,141 pieces. Matte finish 1998-S is the key coin for the Kennedy Half Dollar series.

Mintage Figures