#1 Kennedy Half Dollar Buyer Las Vegas & Henderson

History

The Kennedy half dollar was minted from 1964 to the present date. Just over a month after President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, Congress authorized the issuance of the coin as a memorial to the president. The Kennedy half dollar continues to be minted in the Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver and West Point mints. The obverse of the coin displays a bust of John F. Kennedy, while the reverse of the coin displays an image of the presidential coat of arms, (also known as the presidential seal). This has continued through the present day with the exception of 1975 and 1976 when the obverse carried the dual dates of 1776 and 1976 to honor the bicentennial of the nation, (no 1975 dated coins were minted). Mintmarks were under the eagle’s right talon from 1964 to 1967. The location of the mintmarks were then moved in 1968, (continuing to present), to the obverse of the coin just above the date. All Kennedy half dollars are 30.6 mm in diameter, however their composition and weight has changed over time. Initially, in 1964, the coin was 90% silver and 10% copper and weighed 12.5 grams. In 1965 to 1970, the composition changed to approximately 40% silver and 60% copper and a weight of 11.5 grams. Finally, from 1971 to current date, the composition has become a copper-nickel composite with the coin weighing 11.34 grams. It should be noted that some proof coins were minted beginning in 1976 that continued the 40% silver composition.

Kennedy half dollars are popular with collectors as they are fairly easy to find, still in circulation, carry several varieties in style and composition and because of the popularity of President Kennedy. Several million, and in some cases, several hundred million of each date exists with the exception of the 40% silver proofs. As a consequence, there are no great rarities and most coins in the series are easily obtainable and thus do not have a significant collector value unless found in the highest state of preservation or struck as proof coins.

Value

Most coins in this series are still considered contemporary currency and so are only worth their face value of fifty cents. However, high grade examples in mint state range from $3 to about $6, with proof examples up to $30. The 1998 S in silver with matte finish can be worth $125.

Because there are so many varied opinions on the condition (or grade) of a coin, the aforementioned values reflect the highest retail prices that have been obtained for those coins that have been assessed by a third party grading company. Such coins have been authenticated, graded and encapsulated by expert coin grading companies to minimize any doubt as to their quality and value and therefore their potential worth.

Since a large number of these coins have a high silver content, (the 1964 90% silver coins specifically being referred to as “constitutional” or “junk” silver), raw ungraded examples are often sold based on the spot price or the current “melt value” of silver. When the silver spot price is relatively high, these coins are often sold for their silver content.

We Buy Kennedy Half Dollars

We want to buy your coins and as a business it is our pledge to offer you the best value for your coins, however, always remember that the prices you may find online or in price guides usually represent the highest retail value for the coin in an already certified condition. As a trusted dealer we will have our coin specialists evaluate your coins at no cost and offer you a price that is both fair for you, but that also allows us to realize a reasonable profit.