In 1964, the Kennedy Half Dollar was made for the first time. Fans now like this coin a lot, and some very rare ones sell for a lot of money. Some Kennedy Half Dollars are worth a lot more than their face value because they were made in very small amounts or have unique flaws.
Coin collectors may want to know how much Kennedy half dollars are worth. This article will talk about the five oldest and most expensive Kennedy half dollars. We’ll also talk about the important things about them that make them useful.
History of the Kennedy Half Dollar
John F. Kennedy, who is usually just called “JFK,” was president of the United States from 1961 to 1963. In March 1964, just a few months after he died in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, the U.S. Mint made halves of Kennedy. Find out more about the most valuable Kennedy half dollars of 2025 by reading on.
What Makes Kennedy Half Dollars Valuable?
As you might guess, Americans love Kennedy half-dollar coins a lot. There are other half-dollar coins in the U.S., but these old silver pieces stand out.
The historical worth, the silver inside, and the fact that some important times or types are hard to find are just some of the reasons why Kennedy half dollars are valuable. Fans really want coins made between 1964 and 1970 because they are 90% or 40% silver. People really want certain types, like the 1964 Proof Accented Hair or the 1970-D (the last year of 40% silver), because they are hard to find.
Also, mistake coins, low-mintage coins, and coins that are in great shape, like those that get high grades from professional grading services, can earn high prices. Because they have something to do with President John F. Kennedy, they have historical and personal value that makes fans want them even more.
How to Identify Rare Kennedy Half Dollars
Pay close attention to certain dates, mint marks, types, and mistakes on Kennedy half dollars if you want to find rare ones. Here’s the whole list:
1964 Proof Accented Hair: This is a rare type of the Kennedy Half Dollar Proof from the first year. The extra detail in Kennedy’s hair above his ear and the fact that the “I” in LIBERTY doesn’t have a serif make it stand out from other types. The first form is hard to find now that these were changed so fast, and fans want it.
Here is a very rare and important number from the 1970s: 1970-D. You can only find it in mint sets. The last Kennedy half dollar was worth more because it had 40% silver in it.
In 1998, two coins were made to honor the Robert F. Kennedy Silver Dollar. This is one of them. Being one of only 62,000 made and having a unique finish makes it very expensive.
Bugs and Different Types:
1964-D Double Die Obverse: The picture on the front of this coin is twice as big. The letters “LIBERTY” and the date make it the easiest to see. This kind of raise is very valuable.
1974-D Double Die Obverse: “IN GOD WE TRUST” is written twice, which can make the coin worth a lot more.
Lack of Creator Letters (No FG): Some coins, like some 1966 and 1972-D Kennedy Half Dollars, don’t have the “FG” letters of creator Frank Gasparro. They are hidden on the face below the eagle. People who collect mistakes will pay a lot for these.
Very Few or Very Good Coins: Very good coins that were only made in small amounts, like the 1965–1967 Special Mint Set coins, can be worth a lot of money. A lot of the time, coins rated MS67 or higher that aren’t from times that fans really like sell for a lot more than they’re worth.
Because they are made of metal, any Kennedy half dollar from 1964 (90% silver) or 1965–1970 (40% silver) is important. Coins that are in better shape can fetch higher prices.
With a coin loupe or magnifying glass, you can tell the difference between two very rare Kennedy half dollars. Key finds should be checked out and approved by a professional coin grading service.
What Are the Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollars?
Some banks still sell silver Kennedy half dollars for their face value, but you won’t find them as change very often. Some small things are different, but there aren’t many problems that are very rare or cost a lot of money.
There are, however, Kennedy half dollars that are worth more than what they are worth. Kennedy coins can be worth more than fifty cents, depending on when they were made and how good they are.
Let’s talk about how much fifty-dollar Kennedy bills are worth. These five Kennedy half dollars are the rarest and most expensive. They are also linked to important events in the series:
Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollars:
- 1964 SP68 Special Mint Set
- 1967 SMS MS69
- 1964-D MS68
- 1968-S PF70
- 1964 Accented Hair PF68
- 1970-D MS66
- 1964 SMS PR68 Deep Cameo
- 1976 Bicentennial No S Proof
- 1981-S Type II Deep Cameo
- 1998-S Matte Finish
- 1966 SMS MS67 Cameo
- 1964 SP68 Special Mint Set—$156,000
In 1964, the US Mint made the Kennedy Half Dollar set for the first time. It came in samples and mint sets. This was also the last year that 90% silver coins were made because the price of silver was going up.
Rare 1964 Kennedy half dollar coins are something that no one has ever seen before. About a dozen of these have been found over the years. These Kennedy half dollars are the strangest ones that aren’t fakes.
1964 SMS coins have a special finish that is smooth and satin-like. The fields are hit well most of the time, and the lines are straight and sharp. You’ll see that the surfaces don’t shine like proof coins from this era do.
They paid $156,000 for a 1964 Special Mint Set (SP68), which was the most money ever paid for one. This one-of-a-kind coin was part of a very special mint set. Because it is so rare and in such good shape, it sold at auction for this much money.
1967 MS69 Special Mint Set—$31,200
People were saving so many coins that the US Mint stopped making them for a short time in 1965. They didn’t start making coins again until 1967. People who like coins will be happy with the Special Mint Sets.
It’s interesting to know that the Kennedy SMS coins from 1967 didn’t have mint marks on them. These silver coins were kept in hard cases instead of the soft plastic cases that were used in 1965. This was done to protect them better.
This very rare Kennedy half dollar is made of 40% silver and 60% copper-nickel metal. These bills were the only ones that still had silver in them.
People who like the 1967 SMS Kennedy Coin like to buy half dollars with a cameo or deep cameo design on them.
A 1967 Special Mint Set (MS69) once fetched $31,200 at sale, which was the most money it ever brought in. It was sold for a very high price since this coin is very rare and in great shape. Fans are excited to get their hands on it.
1964-D MS68 Kennedy Half Dollar—$32,900
You can only get the 1964-D (Regular Strike) Kennedy Half Dollar this year. It is 90% silver and was only made for that year. The next few years, from 1965 to 1970, Kennedy half-dollar coins were made with 40% silver.
This year’s half-dollar coins from the Denver Mint look better than the Kennedy half-dollar coins from the Philadelphia Mint. At least one is known to be in MS68 condition, and for the 1964-D, several are in MS67 condition.
There is no doubt that this Kennedy coin is the best of the bunch. It stands out because of the lovely shades of rose, emerald green, yellow, and gold that make it.
At sale, a 1964-D MS68 Kennedy Half Dollar brought as much as $32,900. The coin is in great shape, and collectors like it a lot. The first-year Kennedy Half Dollar is also an important part of history.
1968-S PF70 Kennedy Half Dollar—$22,325
The San Francisco Mint made the Kennedy Half Dollar from 1968-S (Proof), and it has 40% silver in it. A little more than three million silver proofs were made, which is a lot less than most Kennedy Half Dollar coins.
A side view of John F. Kennedy’s face is on the front of the silver coin, and there is an “S” mint mark right below it. The 1968-S Proof Kennedy Half Dollar is shiny and reflective, but the picture of Kennedy is dull.
These were the first coins ever made that were 40% silver, which is proof. There were only a few proof sets of this year’s coins made by the San Francisco Mint. Since silver plates are the best U.S. coins, getting more of them is a good idea.
At sale, a 1968-S PF70 Kennedy Half Dollar has brought as much as $22,325. This coin sold for a lot of money because it has a perfect grade (PF70), and fans love early Kennedy half dollars in proof form.
1964 Accented Hair Kennedy Half Dollar PF68—$19,975
There were two types of 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar coins: one had John F. Kennedy’s hair colored, and the other did not.
Only a few proof coins from 1964 have this design, but it is thought to be the first pattern used on Kennedy Half Dollars. These coins have hair that is outlined. Some people have said they are “somewhat common,” but you will not find one in Deep Cameo very often.
As a proof coin that has never been used, a 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar with very bright hair is worth a lot more than what it’s worth. A Kennedy Half Dollar, on the other hand, has the best hair this year. If you can find one in Deep Cameo or very good shape, it can be worth thousands of dollars.
A PF68 1964 Accented Hair Kennedy Half Dollar sold at auction for as much as $19,975. Because it has a unique shape, collectors really want this type. The fact that it’s a high grade makes it even more valuable.
FAQs
What are the most valuable Kennedy half dollars?
The 1964 SMS (Special Mint Set) coin and the 1964-D Doubled Die Obverse type are the most expensive Kennedy Half Dollars. The SMS coin can be worth thousands of dollars. These coins are also very valuable: the 1970-D, the 1998-S Matte Proof, and the 1964 Proof.
How much is a 1964 Kennedy half dollar worth?
Because it is 90% silver, the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is worth more than what it is worth. Based on current market trends, a commonly used example can fetch between $10 and $15, while better and proof examples can fetch a lot more.
Are Kennedy half dollars made after 1970 worth anything?
Kennedy Half dollars made after 1970 aren’t usually made of silver and are only worth their face value unless they are brand new, proof coins, or part of a special collector’s set. But dates like the silver Bicentennial coins from 1976 and some proof coins with low mintages can be worth more.
Why is the 1970-D Kennedy Half Dollar valuable?
People want to buy the 1970-D Kennedy Half Dollar because it was the last year that the half dollar was made with 40% silver, and it was only available in Mint Sets. The fact that it is hard to get makes it more valuable among fans.
How can I tell if my Kennedy half dollar is silver?
Kennedy Those made between 1965 and 1970 are only 40% silver, while those made in 1964 are 90% silver. Check the coin’s edge to tell the difference. Silver coins will have a full silver edge, while non-silver coins will have a copper stripe.