Half Dollars

Historical Context

Congress authorized the Kennedy half dollar in December 1963, weeks after President Kennedy's assassination, and the first coins were released in March 1964. Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts sculpted the portrait (his GR monogram is on the truncation of the neck); Frank Gasparro designed the reverse from the Presidential Seal (his FG is near the eagle's tail feathers). 1964 is the only year the Kennedy half was struck in 90% silver for circulation; from 1965 the silver content dropped to 40%.

Condition

Uncirculated, our conservative estimate MS+ (not professionally graded). Satin luster with light natural toning, from soft gray to light golden; scattered contact marks typical of roll coins. See the photos of each coin, obverse and reverse.

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Congress authorized the Kennedy half dollar in December 1963, weeks after President Kennedy's assassination, and the first coins were released in March 1964. Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts sculpted the portrait (his GR monogram is on the truncation of the neck); Frank Gasparro designed the reverse from the Presidential Seal (his FG is near the eagle's tail feathers). 1964 is the only year the Kennedy half was struck in 90% silver for circulation; from 1965 the silver content dropped to 40%.

Condition

Uncirculated, our conservative estimate MS+ (not professionally graded). Bright luster with scattered light contact marks typical of roll coins. The Denver coin has a long thin contact mark above WE TRUST and light surface marks near LIBERTY. See the photos of each coin, obverse and reverse.

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

The 1970-S Proof Half

In 1970 no half dollars were struck for circulation; this San Francisco proof was one of 2,632,810 struck for proof sets. The Kennedy half was 40% silver clad from 1965 to 1970 and had no silver from 1971, making 1970 the final silver-clad year. The San Francisco Mint opened in 1854 to coin California Gold Rush gold; its current building on Hermann Street, opened in 1937, focuses primarily on proof coins like this one.

The Year 1970

On December 31, 1970, minutes before midnight, President Nixon signed the law that took the silver out of the half dollar, authorized the GSA sale of the Treasury's Carson City silver dollars, and created the Eisenhower dollar. In 1970 a dollar had the buying power of about $8.30 today, so this half dollar's 50 cents was worth about $4.15.

The Kennedy Half Dollar

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, and when his memorial half dollar went on sale on March 24, 1964, a line a block long formed at the Treasury windows. Gilroy Roberts adapted his Kennedy medal portrait for the front, and Frank Gasparro adapted the presidential seal for the back. Only months before his death, Kennedy declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" in West Berlin, visited his family's ancestral home in Ireland, and went on to Italy.

Grade And Authenticity

A proof is struck specially for collectors, with mirror-like fields, and PR69 is one point below a perfect 70. PCGS, founded in 1986, guarantees its grades. The seller also tested the metal through the holder with a calibrated Sigma Metalytics verifier (consistent with the 40% silver-clad composition), inspected the holder for tampering (none found), confirmed the certification number on the PCGS website, and tapped the NFC chip with an iPhone, which opened the matching PCGS record.

Also In Our Store

• Eisenhower dollars and GSA-sold Morgan dollars from that same 1970 law.
• Holiday postcards from the Golden Age of Postcards, many printed in Germany.
• Peace dollars, designed by Sicilian-born Anthony de Francisci, and more world coins and banknotes.

Disclaimer

Specifications and detailed item descriptions are provided as a courtesy only and are not guaranteed to be one hundred percent accurate. Please do your own research. There are generally no receipts available for any items from original purchases. Any dimensions and/or weights are approximate. The absence of a more detailed condition report does not imply there are no condition issues with the item(s). Please inspect images carefully as they are part of the official item description and best representation of the actual condition. Additional images may be available upon request depending on time and availability. Not responsible for internet mis-translations or mis-identification of maker's marks if found or assumptions of makers or materials — item descriptions will indicate if it is assumed. If you see a problem, please message us immediately and we will do our best to sort out a solution and confirm the information. With the exception of eBay rules, no returns are accepted.

The 1970-S Proof Half

In 1970 no half dollars were struck for circulation; this San Francisco proof was one of 2,632,810 struck for proof sets. The Kennedy half was 40% silver clad from 1965 to 1970 and had no silver from 1971, making 1970 the final silver-clad year. The San Francisco Mint opened in 1854 to coin California Gold Rush gold; its current building on Hermann Street, opened in 1937, focuses primarily on proof coins like this one.

The Year 1970

On December 31, 1970, minutes before midnight, President Nixon signed the law that took the silver out of the half dollar, authorized the GSA sale of the Treasury's Carson City silver dollars, and created the Eisenhower dollar. In 1970 a dollar had the buying power of about $8.30 today, so this half dollar's 50 cents was worth about $4.15.

The Kennedy Half Dollar

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, and when his memorial half dollar went on sale on March 24, 1964, a line a block long formed at the Treasury windows. Gilroy Roberts adapted his Kennedy medal portrait for the front, and Frank Gasparro adapted the presidential seal for the back. Only months before his death, Kennedy declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" in West Berlin, visited his family's ancestral home in Ireland, and went on to Italy.

Grade And Authenticity

A proof is struck specially for collectors, with mirror-like fields; "Cameo" means the portrait and lettering are frosted against those fields, and PF69 is one point below a perfect 70. NGC, founded in 1987, is the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association, with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Munich and London. The seller also tested the metal through the holder with a calibrated Sigma Metalytics verifier (consistent with the 40% silver-clad composition), inspected the holder for tampering (none found), and confirmed the certification number on the NGC website.

Also In Our Store

• Eisenhower dollars and GSA-sold Morgan dollars from that same 1970 law.
• Holiday postcards from the Golden Age of Postcards, many printed in Germany.
• Peace dollars, designed by Sicilian-born Anthony de Francisci, and more world coins and banknotes.

Disclaimer

Specifications and detailed item descriptions are provided as a courtesy only and are not guaranteed to be one hundred percent accurate. Please do your own research. There are generally no receipts available for any items from original purchases. Any dimensions and/or weights are approximate. The absence of a more detailed condition report does not imply there are no condition issues with the item(s). Please inspect images carefully as they are part of the official item description and best representation of the actual condition. Additional images may be available upon request depending on time and availability. Not responsible for internet mis-translations or mis-identification of maker's marks if found or assumptions of makers or materials — item descriptions will indicate if it is assumed. If you see a problem, please message us immediately and we will do our best to sort out a solution and confirm the information. With the exception of eBay rules, no returns are accepted.

The 1970-S Proof Half

In 1970 no half dollars were struck for circulation; this San Francisco proof was one of 2,632,810 struck for proof sets. The Kennedy half was 40% silver clad from 1965 to 1970 and had no silver from 1971, making 1970 the final silver-clad year. The San Francisco Mint opened in 1854 to coin California Gold Rush gold; its current building on Hermann Street, opened in 1937, focuses primarily on proof coins like this one.

The Year 1970

On December 31, 1970, minutes before midnight, President Nixon signed the law that took the silver out of the half dollar, authorized the GSA sale of the Treasury's Carson City silver dollars, and created the Eisenhower dollar. In 1970 a dollar had the buying power of about $8.30 today, so this half dollar's 50 cents was worth about $4.15.

The Kennedy Half Dollar

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, and when his memorial half dollar went on sale on March 24, 1964, a line a block long formed at the Treasury windows. Gilroy Roberts adapted his Kennedy medal portrait for the front, and Frank Gasparro adapted the presidential seal for the back. Only months before his death, Kennedy declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" in West Berlin, visited his family's ancestral home in Ireland, and went on to Italy.

Grade And Authenticity

A proof is struck specially for collectors, with mirror-like fields; "Cameo" means the portrait and lettering are frosted against those fields, and PF69 is one point below a perfect 70. NGC, founded in 1987, is the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association, with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Munich and London. The seller also tested the metal through the holder with a calibrated Sigma Metalytics verifier (consistent with the 40% silver-clad composition), inspected the holder for tampering (none found), and confirmed the certification number on the NGC website.

Also In Our Store

• Eisenhower dollars and GSA-sold Morgan dollars from that same 1970 law.
• Holiday postcards from the Golden Age of Postcards, many printed in Germany.
• Peace dollars, designed by Sicilian-born Anthony de Francisci, and more world coins and banknotes.

Disclaimer

Specifications and detailed item descriptions are provided as a courtesy only and are not guaranteed to be one hundred percent accurate. Please do your own research. There are generally no receipts available for any items from original purchases. Any dimensions and/or weights are approximate. The absence of a more detailed condition report does not imply there are no condition issues with the item(s). Please inspect images carefully as they are part of the official item description and best representation of the actual condition. Additional images may be available upon request depending on time and availability. Not responsible for internet mis-translations or mis-identification of maker's marks if found or assumptions of makers or materials — item descriptions will indicate if it is assumed. If you see a problem, please message us immediately and we will do our best to sort out a solution and confirm the information. With the exception of eBay rules, no returns are accepted.

Historical Context

Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman designed the Walking Liberty half dollar, struck from 1916 to 1947. In 1942, the first full year after Pearl Harbor, Denver struck about 11 million of them, under a quarter of Philadelphia's 48 million. Weinman's Liberty returned in 1986 as the obverse of the American Silver Eagle, so this classic design is still being struck today.

Buying Power

In 1942 this half dollar had the buying power of about $10.24 today.

Condition

[Est. VF-20] Circulated, original and never cleaned or polished, with light gray toning and hints of blue. Full rims and bold lettering; LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, the date and HALF DOLLAR are sharp. The skirt lines on Liberty's legs, the sandal, the sun's rays and the eagle's wing feathers show clearly; Liberty's head, hand and the eagle's breast are worn smooth. Light marks consistent with circulation (see the close-ups). Checked for the 1942-D/S over-mint-mark variety: the D appears single. Grade estimated; not professionally graded. Currently still legal tender, but its silver content and collector value are far higher than face value.

Also In Our Store

More coins: https://www.ebay.com/str/tfauctionsintl?_nkw=coin

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Congress authorized the Kennedy half dollar in December 1963, weeks after President Kennedy's assassination, and the first coins were released in March 1964. Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts sculpted the portrait (his GR monogram is on the truncation of the neck); Frank Gasparro designed the reverse from the Presidential Seal (his FG is near the eagle's tail feathers). 1964 is the only year the Kennedy half was struck in 90% silver for circulation; from 1965 the silver content dropped to 40%.

Condition

Uncirculated, our conservative estimate MS+ (not professionally graded). Natural gray toning; scattered light contact marks. See the photos of both coins, obverse and reverse.

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman designed the Walking Liberty half dollar, struck from 1916 to 1947. His Liberty returned in 1986 on the American Silver Eagle, so the design is still being struck today. Denver struck 10,973,800 in 1942, under a quarter of Philadelphia's 47.8 million. That June the U.S. Navy turned the Pacific war at the Battle of Midway.

Buying Power

In 1942 this half dollar had the buying power of about $10.24 today.

Condition

[Est. F-15] Circulated, original, with light gray toning. Full rims and bold lettering; the date, IN GOD WE TRUST and HALF DOLLAR are sharp. Liberty's head and hand are worn smooth, the skirt lines show on the lower gown, the eagle's breast is worn flat and the wing feathers show in part. Light marks consistent with circulation (see the close-ups). Checked for the 1942-D/S over-mint-mark variety: the D appears single. Grade estimated; not professionally graded. Currently still legal tender, but its silver content and collector value are far higher than face value.

Also In Our Store

More coins: https://www.ebay.com/str/tfauctionsintl?_nkw=coin

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman designed the Walking Liberty half dollar, struck from 1916 to 1947. His Liberty returned in 1986 on the American Silver Eagle, so the design is still being struck today. Philadelphia struck 53,190,000 in 1943, the highest mintage of the series. That year the war took the copper out of the cent, struck in zinc-coated steel, but the half dollar stayed 90% silver.

Buying Power

In 1943 this half dollar had the buying power of about $9.65 today.

Condition

[Est. F-12] Circulated, with gray toning that deepens to violet and brown in the recesses. Full rims and clear lettering; the date is readable but worn low. Liberty's head, hand and upper body are worn smooth and the skirt lines show only in part; the eagle's feathers are worn, with the wing outlines clear. Fine scratches and light marks across both sides (see the close-ups). Checked the date and IN GOD WE TRUST for doubling: none seen. Grade estimated; not professionally graded. Currently still legal tender, but its silver content and collector value are far higher than face value.

Also In Our Store

More coins: https://www.ebay.com/str/tfauctionsintl?_nkw=coin

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman designed the Walking Liberty half dollar, struck from 1916 to 1947. Denver struck only 1,165,000 in 1919, one of the lower mintages of the series. Weinman's Liberty returned in 1986 as the obverse of the American Silver Eagle bullion coin, so this design is still being struck more than a century later.

Buying Power

In 1919 this half dollar had the buying power of about $9.65 today.

Condition

[Est. AG-3] Original and never cleaned or polished, with even gray silver toning and no luster. Heavily worn: Liberty's figure, the sun and IN GOD WE TRUST are clear; LIBERTY, the date and HALF DOLLAR are worn into the rims, with the final 9 of the date and the D mint mark visible (see the close-ups). A long scratch across the eagle's wing and light marks on both sides. Grade estimated; not professionally graded. Currently still legal tender, but its silver content and collector value are far higher than face value.

Also In Our Store

More coins: https://www.ebay.com/str/tfauctionsintl?_nkw=coin

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

After President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, Congress authorized a half dollar in his memory on December 30, 1963. Gilroy Roberts engraved the obverse and Frank Gasparro the reverse. 1964 is the first year of the Kennedy half and the only year it was struck in 90% silver for circulation; from 1965 the half dropped to 40% silver. Denver struck about 156 million in 1964.

Buying Power

In 1964 this half dollar had the buying power of about $5.39 today.

Condition

[Est. MS-60] Uncirculated and original, never polished or cleaned, with even gray toning in blue and gold tones that mutes the luster. Strong hair detail with the individual strands showing across the head; the eagle's feathers, shield lines and stars are crisp. Light contact marks and fine hairline scratches in the fields from decades of storage, mostly on the obverse, and a few small dark specks near the date (see the close-ups). Checked for the 1964-D doubled die obverse (FS-101) and the 1964-D/D repunched mint mark (FS-501): none seen; the D is single. Grade estimated; not professionally graded. Currently still legal tender, but its silver content and collector value are far higher than face value.

Also In Our Store

More coins: https://www.ebay.com/str/tfauctionsintl?_nkw=coin

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Congress authorized the Kennedy half dollar in December 1963, weeks after President Kennedy's assassination, and the first coins were released in March 1964. Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts sculpted the portrait (his GR monogram is on the truncation of the neck); Frank Gasparro designed the reverse from the Presidential Seal (his FG is near the eagle's tail feathers). 1964 is the only year the Kennedy half was struck in 90% silver for circulation; from 1965 the silver content dropped to 40%.

Condition

Our conservative estimate AU+ (not professionally graded). One coin has gray-tan toning, a dark spot on the cheek near the jaw and a small rim nick at about 5 o'clock on the reverse. The other has blue-gray toning and a long scratch across the obverse, from the left field through the portrait toward LIBERTY. See the photos of both coins.

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock designed the coin (his JRS initials are below the shoulder); it was released in 1948, after his death, and struck until 1963, when the Kennedy half replaced it. The Mint Act of 1792 required an eagle on the half dollar, which is why a small one sits beside the bell.

Condition

Our conservative estimate VF+ (not professionally graded). Even circulation wear on Franklin's cheek and hair; light scratches on the bell; natural gray toning. See the photos.

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

For the nation's 200th birthday the Mint replaced the reverses of the quarter, half dollar and dollar for two years: coins struck in 1975 and 1976 all carry the dual date 1776-1976. Seth G. Huntington designed the Independence Hall reverse; Gilroy Roberts' Kennedy portrait stays on the obverse.

Condition

Our conservative estimate AU+ (not professionally graded). Bright luster with light contact marks and fine hairlines from circulation. See the photos of each coin, obverse and reverse.

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Congress authorized the Kennedy half dollar in December 1963, weeks after President Kennedy's assassination, and the first coins were released in March 1964. Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts sculpted the portrait (his GR monogram is on the truncation of the neck); Frank Gasparro designed the reverse from the Presidential Seal (his FG is near the eagle's tail feathers). 1964 is the only year the Kennedy half was struck in 90% silver for circulation; from 1965 the silver content dropped to 40%.

Condition

Our conservative estimate AU+ (not professionally graded). Blue-gray toning with spots on both sides; see the photos.

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

Congress authorized the Kennedy half dollar in December 1963, weeks after President Kennedy's assassination, and the first coins were released in March 1964. Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts sculpted the portrait (his GR monogram is on the truncation of the neck); Frank Gasparro designed the reverse from the Presidential Seal (his FG is near the eagle's tail feathers). 1964 is the only year the Kennedy half was struck in 90% silver for circulation; from 1965 the silver content dropped to 40%.

Condition

Our conservative estimate AU+ (not professionally graded). Fine hairlines and contact marks across the obverse face and field, with streaky gray toning; see the photos.

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.

Historical Context

July 4, 2026 marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776; these halves were struck for that Semiquincentennial, with the dual date on the obverse.

Condition

[Est. MS-62] Both coins are uncirculated: taken from mint rolls, never used in circulation. Disclosed: the P coin has a line of small marks across Liberty's cheek and nose, where the reeded edge of another coin struck it in the bag (see the close-up, photo 8). The D coin shows light contact lines on the neck and in the fields. Both show the bag marks that are normal for coins from mint bags and rolls. Grade estimated; not professionally graded. Currently legal tender.

Also In Our Store

More coins: https://www.ebay.com/str/tfauctionsintl?_nkw=coin

Disclaimer

The images and any video show the actual item and are part of the official listing description, so please review them closely. Measurements and weights are approximate, and any maker or material we haven't confirmed is described as assumed. Questions? Message us; we answer quickly.