The Kennedy half dollar, first issued in 1964 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, remains one of the most iconic U.S. coins ever minted. The inaugural release, composed of 90% silver, was struck only in 1964 — making that year especially significant for collectors. Although more than four billion Kennedy half dollars have been produced since, the rarest and most valuable examples still come from the earliest mintings.
Here are some of the most valuable Kennedy half dollars that continue to attract top dollar at major auctions.
1964 Kennedy Half Dollar SP68 (Special Mint Set)
Special Mint Set (SMS) coins are known for their exceptional quality and finish. Among Kennedy half dollars, the 1964 SP68 is one of the most coveted.
Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) reports only five known SP68 examples. Just one of these has surpassed the $150,000 mark, selling for $156,000 at a Stack’s Bowers auction in 2019.
While an even higher-graded SP69 appears in PCGS archives, no public sale has yet been recorded.
1964 “Accented Hair” Kennedy Half Dollar PR69
Early proof strikes of the 1964 Kennedy half dollar included a distinct “accented hair” detail — a set of curved lines above Kennedy’s ear. This variety can also be identified by a serif anomaly on the letter I in “Liberty.”
The variant continues to set impressive records. A top-graded PR69 example sold for $46,800 at a Heritage Auctions event in January 2024, surpassing the previous high of $45,600 set in 2022.
1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Proof (San Francisco Mint)
Beginning in 1968, all proof Kennedy half dollars were struck at the San Francisco Mint, marked with an “S” mint mark. Collectors note that these post-1968 proofs often display superior craftsmanship compared to earlier Philadelphia proofs.
High-grade deep cameo pieces are particularly desirable. A PF70 deep cameo sold for $21,600 in November 2017 — a record that stood until June 2023, when another PF70 deep cameo fetched $24,000 at a Stack’s Bowers auction.
1964-D Kennedy Half Dollar, “Richard Green Collection”
One of the more unusual and visually striking Kennedy half dollars is the MS68 specimen from the Richard Green Collection. Described by Legend Auctions as having “funkadelic” rainbow toning reminiscent of a Grateful Dead T-shirt, this coin stands alone with a population of just one.
In February 2018, it sold for $22,325, more than doubling the auctioneer’s initial estimate of $10,000 to $11,000 — a testament to its unique appearance and extreme rarity.
A Market Driven by Scarcity and Quality
As collector interest grows and grading standards become even more precise, rare Kennedy half dollars continue to see rising demand. For numismatists, these standout pieces represent not only historical artifacts but also some of the most valuable modern U.S. coins on the market.
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