Which Half Dollars Are Actually Worth Money?

Half Dollars Valued for Silver Content

Many older half dollars possess inherent value from their precious metal content, often exceeding face value. This worth is tied to the fluctuating market price of silver. Collectors and investors refer to these as “junk silver” because their value is based on metal weight rather than numismatic rarity.

The U.S. Mint produced half dollars containing 90% silver from 1836 through 1964. This category includes various series such as the Seated Liberty, Barber, Walking Liberty, Franklin, and the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars. The value of these coins is a direct calculation based on their silver weight and the current spot price of silver. Identifying these coins involves checking their mint date, as all half dollars minted in these years contain high silver purity.

Following this period, composition changed, creating 40% silver half dollars. These coins were minted from 1965 to 1970 and are exclusively Kennedy Half Dollars. While they contain less silver than predecessors, they still hold value above their 50-cent face value. Checking the coin’s date determines if it falls into this 40% silver category.

Key Series and Rare Dates

Beyond their silver content, specific half dollar series and individual dates are particularly sought after by collectors due to their historical significance, low mintage figures, or unique characteristics. The earliest half dollars represent a significant part of American coinage history and are generally quite valuable. These include the Flowing Hair series from 1794-1795, the Draped Bust series from 1796-1807, and the Capped Bust series minted between 1807 and 1839. Most examples from these early periods command substantial premiums because of their age and the limited number originally produced.

The Seated Liberty half dollars, issued from 1839 to 1891, also feature several issues that are valuable due to their scarcity. Notable examples include the 1853 half dollar with arrows and rays, which signifies a weight adjustment, and the 1870-CC (Carson City) issue, known for its extremely low mintage. Certain varieties within this series, such as those with drapery or no drapery, also contribute to their desirability. Collectors pay close attention to these subtle design elements when assessing value.

Barber half dollars, minted from 1892 to 1915, also contain key dates that are highly prized. The 1892-O (New Orleans), 1904-S (San Francisco), and 1913-S issues are particularly valuable due to their limited production numbers. These coins often show significant wear, making well-preserved examples even more valuable to collectors. The demand for these specific dates remains consistent among numismatists.

The Walking Liberty half dollar series, produced from 1916 to 1947, is renowned for its iconic design and includes several significant key dates and mint marks. The 1916-D (Denver), 1916-S (San Francisco), 1921, 1921-D, and 1938-D issues are among the most valuable due to their low mintage figures. Even in lower grades, these specific coins can fetch considerable prices, reflecting their rarity and enduring popularity.

Franklin half dollars, minted from 1948 to 1963, are generally common due to their high mintage and widespread circulation. However, some specific examples can still be valuable to collectors. Coins with a “Full Bell Lines” (FBL) designation, indicating a sharp strike with complete details on the Liberty Bell, often command a premium. Certain proof issues from this series, particularly those with deep cameo contrast, are also sought after.

Even among Kennedy half dollars, which are widely available, a few specific issues stand out for their value beyond silver content. While most post-1970 Kennedy half dollars are clad and hold only face value, some rare non-silver varieties or proof errors exist. The 1964 Special Mint Set (SMS) coins, which were not intended for circulation, are one such example. These coins exhibit a distinct finish and are considerably rarer than their regular strike counterparts, making them highly collectible.

Condition, Mint Marks, and Errors

The physical condition of a half dollar significantly impacts its market value, often more so than its age or silver content alone. Coin grading provides a standardized system for evaluating a coin’s state of preservation, ranging from “Good” (G), indicating heavy wear but discernible features, to “Uncirculated” (UNC), meaning the coin shows no signs of wear. Higher grades, such as “About Uncirculated” (AU) or various levels of “Uncirculated,” can dramatically increase a coin’s worth. For truly valuable specimens, professional grading by a reputable service is often recommended to ensure an accurate and recognized assessment.

Mint marks also play a pivotal role in determining a half dollar’s rarity and value. These small letters, typically found on the reverse side of the coin (though sometimes on the obverse), indicate where the coin was minted. Common mint marks include “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, “O” for New Orleans, and “CC” for Carson City, while coins minted in Philadelphia often bore no mint mark on older issues. The same date of a half dollar can have vastly different values depending on the presence or absence of a specific mint mark, especially if one mint produced significantly fewer coins for that particular year.

Beyond standard production, certain half dollars become valuable due to manufacturing anomalies known as error and variety coins. These unique pieces, created unintentionally during the minting process, are highly prized by collectors for their scarcity and distinctiveness. Examples relevant to half dollars include “Doubled Dies,” where the coin’s design appears duplicated or blurred, such as specific Kennedy or Franklin half dollar examples. An “Off-Center Strike” occurs when the coin blank is not perfectly centered in the press, resulting in a portion of the design being missing.

Other notable errors include “Broadstrikes,” where the coin is struck outside of its retaining collar, causing an expanded and flattened appearance, and “Die Breaks or Cuds,” which are raised lumps of metal on the coin surface resulting from a broken die. “Overdates” or “Repunched Mint Marks,” like the 1942/1-D Walking Liberty, occur when a date or mint mark is struck over an earlier one. While these errors can significantly increase a coin’s value, they are rare and often require careful examination to authenticate.

Many U.S. half dollars circulating today or found in old collections can hold significant value beyond their face amount. While most are common, certain characteristics elevate some half dollars to highly sought-after collector’s items. Understanding these factors is key to identifying which half dollars are truly worth money.

Condition, Mint Marks, and Errors

The physical condition of a half dollar significantly impacts its market value, often more so than its age or silver content alone. Coin grading provides a standardized system for evaluating a coin’s state of preservation, ranging from “Good” (G), indicating heavy wear but discernible features, to “Uncirculated” (UNC), meaning the coin shows no signs of wear. Higher grades, such as “About Uncirculated” (AU) or various levels of “Uncirculated,” can dramatically increase a coin’s worth. For truly valuable specimens, professional grading by a reputable service is often recommended to ensure an accurate and recognized assessment.

Mint marks also play a pivotal role in determining a half dollar’s rarity and value. These small letters, typically found on the reverse side of the coin (though sometimes on the obverse), indicate where the coin was minted. Common mint marks include “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, “O” for New Orleans, and “CC” for Carson City, while coins minted in Philadelphia often bore no mint mark on older issues. The same date of a half dollar can have vastly different values depending on the presence or absence of a specific mint mark, especially if one mint produced significantly fewer coins for that particular year.

Beyond standard production, certain half dollars become valuable due to manufacturing anomalies known as error and variety coins. These unique pieces, created unintentionally during the minting process, are highly prized by collectors for their scarcity and distinctiveness. Examples relevant to half dollars include “Doubled Dies,” where the coin’s design appears duplicated or blurred, such as specific Kennedy or Franklin half dollar examples. An “Off-Center Strike” occurs when the coin blank is not perfectly centered in the press, resulting in a portion of the design being missing.

Other notable errors include “Broadstrikes,” where the coin is struck outside of its retaining collar, causing an expanded and flattened appearance, and “Die Breaks or Cuds,” which are raised lumps of metal on the coin surface resulting from a broken die. “Overdates” or “Repunched Mint Marks,” like the 1942/1-D Walking Liberty, occur when a date or mint mark is struck over an earlier one. While these errors can significantly increase a coin’s value, they are rare and often require careful examination to authenticate.