A recent discovery of a Kennedy half dollar tucked inside a thrift-store coin jar has gone viral. Social media users are buzzing because some Kennedy halves are significantly more valuable than their face value—depending on year, metal composition, mint mark, and rarities or errors. Let’s break down why this find could be special, how to verify what you’ve got, and what values collectors are seeing.
Why a Kennedy Half Dollar Can Be Special
- The Kennedy half dollar first came out in 1964, and those earliest pieces were made of 90% silver.
- From 1965 to 1970, the halves had 40% silver content.
- Starting in 1971, most Kennedy halves in circulation are made of copper-nickel clad—these are far more common.
- Some coins are rare because of special strikes or errors, such as mismatched planchets, leftover silver planchets used at the wrong time, or proof-like finishes. These are what turn an ordinary jar coin into a collector’s prize.
Major Records & Value Drivers
Here are the key facts that tend to dominate headlines and collector interest:
- A 1964 Kennedy half dollar with a special struck “SMS” finish in extremely high grade sold recently for well over six figures.
- Coins from transitional years—or pieces with documented error striking, like a 1971-D Kennedy half dollar struck on a 40% silver planchet—have fetched five-figure sums when certified.
- Most of the time, circulated pieces from the 1970s onward are worth just a little over face unless they are in near-perfect condition or have special attributes.
What to Check If You Find One in a Jar
| What to Look For | Why It’s Important | Clues to Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Date & Mint Mark | Determines composition and rarity. | Look for “P”, “D”, or “S” mint marks and check the year. |
| Edge & Weight | Silver vs clad composition affects value. | Silver edges are uniform; clad show a copper band. Weigh if possible. |
| Condition & Strike Quality | Coins that are sharp, well-defined, without wear bring higher value. | Sharp details, little wear, strong luster. |
| Special versus Error Varieties | Rare errors or special strikes can be massively more valuable. | Misstrikes, leftover silver planchets, proof finishes, etc. |
| Certification | Authentication boosts value greatly. | Coin graded by a trusted grading company. |
Value Ranges & Examples
- A circulated 1964 Kennedy half-dollar with no special attributes still usually brings more than face value (because of silver) but depends heavily on grade.
- A 1965-1970 40% silver coin in good condition can reach premiums—sometimes many times its face value.
- A standard post-1971 clad coin in worn, circulated condition often is worth near face or slightly above.
- In rare cases: certified error or special strike coins from the 1960s or early 1970s can go for tens of thousands of dollars or more, depending on rarity and condition.
Discovering a Kennedy half dollar in a thrift coin jar can spark real excitement—but only coins from certain years, with silver content, or documented error varieties reach high value. Condition and certification are crucial. If yours checks the right boxes, it might be more than just spare change.
FAQs
Is every Kennedy half dollar found in change valuable?
No. Only certain years (notably 1964, and silver content 1965-70), special strikes, or documented error coins tend to be worth much more. Most modern ones are common and worth roughly face or a little above.
How can I tell if mine is silver or just clad?
Check the date and mint mark, examine the edge—silver coins are uniformly colored; clad coins have a copper band. If you can, weigh it. Also, unusual shine or strike quality may be telling.
Should I send the coin for grading if I think it’s rare?
Yes. Grading and certification from recognized expert services are essential to back up claims of value, especially if you believe it’s silver or an error coin. It’s worth protecting whatever value you might have.