Kennedy Half Dollar Value Chart
1964–Present • By Year • By Mint Mark • Silver Content • Current Prices
What Is Your Kennedy Half Dollar Worth?
Current Values Updated for 2026
The Kennedy half dollar has been struck since 1964 as a tribute to President John F. Kennedy, assassinated in November 1963. The series spans three distinct metal compositions — 90% silver (1964), 40% silver clad (1965–1970), and copper-nickel clad (1971–present) — making composition the first thing to determine when valuing any Kennedy half dollar. The 1964 issue, struck just months after Kennedy's death, is the most common 90% silver coin in American numismatics and the foundation of many junk silver collections.
Most circulated Kennedy halves from 1971 onward are worth face value — 50 cents — in circulated condition. The value story lies in the silver issues, key dates, proof coins, and business-strike coins in high mint-state grades. Use this chart to find the value of every Kennedy half dollar from 1964 to the present.
Key Dates & Valuable Kennedy Halves
The Issues Worth More Than Face Value
1964 (P & D)
90% silver. Worth $8–$15 in circulated grades based on silver melt. MS-65 examples worth $30–$100+.
1965–1970 Silver Clad
40% silver. Each coin contains .1479 oz silver. Worth $3–$6 melt value. 1970-D is the key date in this series.
1970-D
Not released for circulation — sold only in mint sets. Worth $15–$30 in circulated grades. Key date.
1974-D Doubled Die
Strong doubling on LIBERTY and date. Worth $30–$100+ in circulated grades depending on doubling strength.
Proof Issues
Annual proof coins in original packaging worth $5–$40+. Silver proofs (1992–present) worth $20–$60 in DCAM.
High Grade MS-65+
Common-date Kennedy halves in MS-65 or higher can be worth $20–$200+ depending on year and grade.
🥈 Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Value Calculator
Estimate the melt value of your silver Kennedy halves based on today's silver spot price.
Kennedy Half Dollar Value Chart by Year
1964–Present • All Mint Marks • Business Strike & Proof
| Year & Mint | Composition | Circ. | MS-63 | MS-65 | Notes |
|---|
Proof Kennedy Half Dollars
Collector Coins • Cameo & Deep Cameo Designations
The U.S. Mint has produced proof Kennedy half dollars every year since 1964. Proof coins are struck on specially prepared planchets with polished dies, resulting in mirror-like fields and frosted devices. From 1992 onward, the Mint began issuing silver proof Kennedy halves (90% silver) as part of the Silver Proof Set, commanding premiums over standard clad proofs.
Key proof issues include the 1964 Accented Hair variety (an early reverse die showing more detail on Jackie Kennedy's hair — worth $40–$150 in PR-65), the 1970-S proof (the only 1970 Kennedy half available to the public, as the 1970-D business strike was mint-set only), and any Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation, which adds significant value to any year.
Junk Silver & the 1964 Kennedy Half
Most Popular Silver Coin for Stacking
The 1964 Kennedy half dollar is the single most common 90% silver coin found in junk silver bags and rolls. Each coin contains .3617 troy ounces of pure silver, making the melt value calculation straightforward: multiply the current silver spot price by .3617. At $32/oz silver, a 1964 Kennedy half has approximately $11.57 in silver melt value.
A full roll of 20 Kennedy half dollars (1964 only) contains 7.234 troy ounces of silver — a popular accumulation unit among silver stackers. Mixed rolls of 1965–1970 clad silver halves contain less silver per coin (.1479 oz each) but are also widely traded. Both are excellent entry points for beginning precious metals investors looking to hold tangible silver at minimal premiums over spot.
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Browse 1964 silver halves, 40% silver clad rolls, key dates, and proof sets from trusted sellers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Kennedy half dollar is silver?
Check the date. Any Kennedy half dated 1964 is 90% silver. Kennedy halves dated 1965–1970 are 40% silver clad — look at the edge: a pure copper core with silver-colored outer layers is the 40% silver clad composition. Halves dated 1971 and later are copper-nickel clad with no silver content and are worth face value in circulated condition. You can also weigh your coin — a 1964 silver half weighs 12.50 grams; a 1965–1970 clad half weighs 11.50 grams; a post-1971 clad half weighs 11.34 grams.
What is the most valuable Kennedy half dollar?
Among business strikes, the 1970-D is the key date — it was included only in mint sets and never released for general circulation, making it significantly scarcer than other dates. In MS-65 condition it can bring $200+. Among errors, the 1974-D Doubled Die Obverse is the most famous variety. For proofs, the 1964 Accented Hair variety in PR-67 Deep Cameo can bring $500+. High-grade business strikes in MS-67 or higher — even for common dates — can be worth hundreds to thousands at auction due to registry set competition.
Are Kennedy half dollars worth collecting?
Yes — especially the silver-era issues (1964–1970). They offer a combination of historical significance, silver content as a hedge against inflation, and affordable entry points for new collectors. The series is popular for type collecting, date-and-mint-mark sets, and as a starting point for junk silver accumulation. The modern clad series (1971–present) holds less investment interest but is popular for completing full date sets and finding high-grade examples for registry submissions.
How much silver is in a Kennedy half dollar?
A 1964 Kennedy half contains .3617 troy ounces of pure silver (the coin is 90% silver with a total weight of 12.50 grams). Kennedy halves from 1965–1970 contain .1479 troy ounces of pure silver (40% silver composition, 11.50 grams total). To calculate current melt value, multiply the silver ounce content by the current spot price of silver. At $32 per ounce: 1964 half = ~$11.57 melt value; 1965–1970 half = ~$4.73 melt value.
Where can I sell Kennedy half dollars?
For silver issues (1964–1970), coin dealers, precious metals dealers, and eBay are all solid options. Dealers typically pay 90–95% of melt value for common silver halves. eBay can yield slightly above melt value when selling to collectors. For key dates and high-grade coins, auction houses like Heritage Auctions offer the broadest buyer pool. For modern clad halves (1971+) in circulated condition, most dealers won't pay above face value — spending them or exchanging at a bank is the most efficient option.
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