The JFK Bicentennial Half Dollar is a commemorative coin that was minted in 1975 and 1976 to honor the 200th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's birth.
It's a relatively rare coin, with a mintage of only 1.5 million coins in 1975 and 2 million in 1976.
The coin features a portrait of John F. Kennedy on the obverse side and a design that represents the American Revolution on the reverse side.
Some of these coins were sold to collectors, while others were released into circulation, which can affect their value.
Design and Features
The design of the JFK Bicentennial half dollar is a masterpiece, featuring a portrait of President John F. Kennedy on the obverse side.
Gilroy Roberts, the ninth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, designed the coin, drawing inspiration from his medal for President Kennedy's inauguration. His initials can be found on the truncation line of Kennedy's bust, above the "WE" on the bottom right side of the coin.
The central motif is an effigy of President Kennedy, a war hero and the youngest person ever elected president. Atop the upper half of the rim is the inscription LIBERTY, with Kennedy's hair covering the bottom portions of the letters "B", "E", and "R".
The reverse side features a symmetrical front view of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, built in 1753 and serving as the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention.
Design
The Kennedy half dollar's design is a striking tribute to the late President John F. Kennedy. The obverse, or front side, features a portrait of Kennedy, a war hero and the youngest person ever elected president.
Gilroy Roberts, the ninth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, designed the obverse, drawing inspiration from his medal for President Kennedy's inauguration. The central motif is an effigy of President Kennedy, with his hair covering the bottom portions of the letters "B", "E", and "R" in the inscription LIBERTY.
Atop the upper half of the rim is the inscription LIBERTY, while the date 1776-1976 is cradled at the bottom of the coin. The national motto IN GOD WE TRUST is inscribed in a straight line above the year, divided by the sharp truncation of Kennedy's neck.
Gilroy Roberts' initials are located on the truncation line of Kennedy's bust, above the "WE" on the bottom right side of the coin. The mint mark "D" is found on the right side of the point of this truncation.
The reverse, or back side, features a symmetrical front view of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Features of 1776 to 1976
The 1776 to 1976 half dollar is a commemorative coin made of a pure copper center and clad in 75% Copper and 25% Nickel.
It's worth noting that the coin's composition is unique, with a copper core and a nickel outer layer.
The coin weighs 11.30 grams and has a diameter of 31.00 millimetres, with a thickness of 2.15 millimetres.
Half Dollar Value Guides 1776-1976
The 1776-1976 Kennedy half dollar is a special coin that commemorates the bicentennial of the United States. The value of this coin largely depends on its condition, with uncirculated coins being more valuable than circulated ones.
In uncirculated condition, the 1976-D Kennedy half dollar can be worth between $35 and $65, depending on its grade. For example, coins graded MS 66 can sell for between $35 and $65.
There are five varieties of the 1776-1976 Kennedy half dollar, each with its own unique characteristics. The varieties are: No Mint Mark, D Half Dollar, S Half Dollar (Clad, Proof), S Half Dollar (Silver, Regular), and S Half Dollar (Silver, Proof).
If you're looking to buy a 1776-1976 Kennedy half dollar, you can expect to pay between $1 and $5 for a coin in lower grades. However, if you're looking for a coin with a higher grade, you may need to pay more.
Here's a rough guide to the value of 1776-1976 Kennedy half dollars in different grades:
It's worth noting that error coins, such as the off-metal error coin that sold for $3,105 in 2004, can be worth a significant premium. However, these coins are extremely rare and can be difficult to find.
Specific Coins
The 1976-D Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar is a relatively common coin, but its value can vary greatly depending on its grade. Most examples pulled from circulation will be in circulated grades of Extra Fine to About Uncirculated.
In higher grades, the coin's value increases significantly. PCGS reports only 395 pieces in MS 66 and 45 in MS 67, while NGC has graded 1,646 coins in MS 66 and 170 in MS 67. The most common grade for this coin is actually MS 65, not MS 64, which is typical for modern US coins.
Some 1976-D half dollars have sold for big premiums, especially those with unusual characteristics. An error coin sold for $3,105 in 2004, and recently, several MS67 coins have surpassed $1,000.
1976-D Kennedy Half Dollar Value
The 1976-D Kennedy Half Dollar is a relatively common coin, especially considering its massive dual-year mintage.
In Mint State, the coin can be found at face value, but it's rare to find it in high grades like Superb Gem.
The most common grade for this coin is MS 65, not MS 64, which is unusual for modern US coins.
You can find 1976-D half dollars with unusual characteristics selling for big premiums, with an error coin selling for $3,105 in 2004.
Recently, several MS67 coins have surpassed $1,000, but the price plummets for MS 66s, where coins are generally worth between $35 and $65.
In MS 65, the price is nearly halved, with examples selling for between $25 and $30.
You can find pieces in lower grades, like MS 64 and MS 63, for $10 to $25, or even as low as $1 to $5.
1776-1976 S Half Dollar
The 1776-1976 S Half Dollar is a unique coin with several varieties. It's worth noting that the value of this coin largely depends on its condition, with uncirculated condition being more valuable than circulated condition.
In addition to the regular silver strike, the Mint struck silver proofs, with about 4,000,000 minted at the San Francisco facility. These proofs have a similar composition to the regular strike Kennedy half dollars.
Some errors can significantly increase a coin's value. One notable error is the off-metal error struck on a quarter planchet, which sold for $3,105 in 2004.
The 1776-1976 S Half Dollar can be found in various grades, with MS 65 being the most common grade. In this grade, examples have sold recently for between $25 and $30.
Here's a breakdown of the common grades and their corresponding values:
Keep in mind that these values can vary depending on the coin's condition, rarity, and other factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which JFK half dollars are worth money?
The Accented Hair and 1964 Special Strike Kennedy half dollars are highly valuable, as are the Bicentennial, 1966 P, and 1970 S varieties. These rare coins can be worth a fortune for collectors who are lucky enough to find them.
Sources
- https://coinweek.com/1976-d-bicentennial-kennedy-half-dollar-a-collectors-guide/
- https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/kennedy-half-dollar-errors-and-varieties-768828
- https://www.coinvaluechecker.com/how-much-is-1776-to-1976-half-dollar-worth/
- https://www.coleccionistasdemonedas.com/en/valuable-coins-to-collect/1976_bicentennial_half_dollar_worth/
- https://coinweek.com/1976-bicentennial-kennedy-half-dollar-a-collectors-guide/
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