1964 Kennedy Half Dollar

Last updated: September, 18 2024
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The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is a 90% silver coin that has sold for up to $5,000 for something almost mythical like a Accent Hair Deep Cameo PR67. In general the most these coins are worth however is $55.00 for a high end MS66 specimen. This coin is 90% silver as stated earlier, meaning the base value of this coin is generally set by the silver content alone at roughly $10.00. The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is such a complex issuance that some people have made it their lifes work to build collections detailing all the many facets of just this coin. There are proofs, cameo proofs, ultra cameo proofs, accent hair, non accent hair, toned proofs, rainbow toned proofs, reverse type 1, reverse type 2, and so on. Making this coin nearly overwhelming to fully comprehend. Weve done our best to detail most aspects of this coin and present them in a comprehensible fashion. If you need help please log in and post a comment on this page.


1964 Kennedy Half Dollar
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  • Key: Semi-Key Date
  • Year: 1964
  • Mint Mark: No mint mark
  • Type: Kennedy
  • Price: $10.00-$55.00+
  • Face Value: 0.50 USD
  • Produced: 273,304,000
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Silver Content: 90%
  • Silver Weight: .3617 oz.
  • Melt Value: $11.22






Notes: There are a few key points to remember in regards to the 1964 Kennedy Half dollar and they are...

  • -Type I & Type 2 reverses
  • -Proofs are minted at Philadelphia
  • -90% silver
  • -Accent Hair FS-401 worth more

Key Points 1964 Half Dollar(Click to Enlarge Image)



Type 1 vs Type 2 Reverse

The main differences between the type 1 and type 2 reverse are as follows.

Type 1
  • Eagle feathers more detailed
  • Arrows feathers are also more detailed
  • Shield - lines on the shield are more crisp and distinct.
Type 2
  • Eagle feathers less detailed
  • Arrows feathers are also less detailed
  • Shield - lines on the shield are more dull.

1964 Half Dollar Reverse Types(1964 Half Dollar Reverse Types)

We have tried our best here to help differentiate the differences between the two types. It's easier in person, and a bit harder to illustrate examples online. Use the reference above, as just that, a reference.



1964 was the first and only year that the Kennedy Half Dollar was minted in 90% silver. This coin was minted after his assassination, and some of the 1964 proofs have the Accented Hair. Kennedys wife requested the changes be made so that his hair would look better. Those are valued at between $100 and $1500 depending on the condition and the market. Key date. High value listed would be for a coin in perfect condition, certified, and never having seen circulation.


Accented hair specimens are found in 1964 proof sets or loose 1964 P Proof Halves. Jacqueline Kennedy requested JFKs hair to be improved upon. The US mint made the improvements to the die and struck what is now termed as accented hair half dollars. See the image below for reference.

Key Points 1964 Half Dollar(Click to Enlarge Image)

Double Die Half Dollar Error(Double Die Half Dollar Error)



Is My 1964 50c Kennedy A Proof?

Use the guide below to help you decide if your coin is a proof or not. Proofs are generally better struck with more fine hair detail. They are also polished to a mirror like finish.

How to tell if 1964 Half is Proof


$57,600 MS68 Half Dollar?

Mintages

Production Chart


Questions & Comments


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Henry H.: Im not sure if my 1964 Kennedy has accented hair or not? Help please. Looking to sell this to a dealer and dont want to get robbed by them. Posted: October 5, 2022 8:08 pm



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Admin : Hello there Henry. Thanks for posting to CoinTrackers.com we've attached a image as reference. Even with said image attached, it may be difficult to decipher. Your best option might be to go to multiple dealers and ask them what they think. If they both say it's accented hair, then it probably is. Hope this helps you out, if not please let us know.

Key Points 1964 Half Dollar(Click to Enlarge Image)

Reply posted: May 25, 2024 9:39 am



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Admin : Prices have been updated if you have any comments or questions please let us know. Reply posted: May 25, 2024 9:40 am



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Anonymous: How do I know if my 1964 Half Dollar is a proof, and if its a proof is a cameo? Posted: May 25, 2024 1:36 pm



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Admin : Not all coins minted here are proofs. Some might look like proofs, but proofs in general are made during a separate process and often times polished by hand or at the very least polished. Great care is taken by the mint when creating proofs making certain the dies are in perfect condition, limited runs, and so on. On top of the proof designation the proof designation coin grading companies also have the DCAM (Deep Cameo), and UCAM (Ultra Cameo) designation which is essentially the same thing but terminology used by 2 different competing companies. How to tell if 1964 Half is Proof Reply posted: May 25, 2024 1:52 pm



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Anonymous: Reddit says this coins melt value is 8 but you're website says its almost 11 which one is it? Posted: May 26, 2024 11:38 pm



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Admin : The price of silver changes daily, and so does the melt value on our website. So currently as of 5-26-24 silver spot price is $30.36 and Silver Weight .3617 oz so the current melt value is $10.97. The price in the reddit comment sections doesn't update. So bookmark this page and look at the top when you want to know the current price of this or any other page containing silver coins on CoinTrackers.com To see the live silver prices for all major United States coins visit our US Silver Coin Values page, thanks for posting. Reply posted: May 26, 2024 5:03 pm



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Admin : 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar values and details updated. Post any and all questions and comments regarding this 50c coin here. Thanks! Posted: June 6, 2024 6:22 pm




Price Chart

Rates listed here refer to professionally graded and slabbed coins. If new to collecting the prices below might not make sense.


Deep Cameo on the proofs sometimes listed as DCAM, Ultra Cameo, and toning on original 1964 90% silver Kennedy half dollars will make a slight improvement to the rates listed below.

  • Grade MS61 = $2-$4
  • Grade MS62 = $4-$6
  • Grade MS63 = $5-$9
  • Grade MS64 = $8-$13
  • Grade MS65 = $15-$25
  • Grade MS66 = $45-$75
  • Grade MS67 = $53-$88
  • Grade PR67 = $26-$44
  • Grade PR68 = $38-$63
  • Grade PR69 = $75-$125


These prices are for those coins that have been give the accented hair, termed ACCENT HAIR or FS-401. These coins are NON DCAM

  • Grade PR62 = $19-$39
  • Grade PR63 = $30-$63
  • Grade PR64 = $38-$63
  • Grade PR65 = $45-$75
  • Grade PR66 = $60-$100
  • Grade PR67 = $94-$156
  • Grade PR68 = $188-$313


These prices are for those coins that have been give the accented hair, termed ACCENT HAIR or FS-401. These coins are DCAM and therefore the top top top tier that this coin has to offer. There are many instances of this coin in PF69 Deep Cameo selling for $6,000 or $7,000 at online auctions like Heritage and Sacks Bowers.

  • Grade PR64 = $60-$100
  • Grade PR65 = $71-$119
  • Grade PR66 = $86-$144
  • Grade PR67 = $98-$163
  • Grade PR68 = $150-$250
  • Grade PR69 = $600-$1,000


Is the list above a little overwhelming? If so, take 5 minutes to learn all about Coin Grading.


It's also important to note...Prices are subject to the same supply and demand laws as everything else. Coins sold at the same auction house 10x, would fetch drastically different bids each session. To raise your chances of receiving top dollar read How to Get the Most for your Coins.


We've personally researched these values. If you enjoy our content please return the favor and share this page with your friends.


How much is a 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around $10.00, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $55 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1964, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].


What are your coins really worth?

Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any kennedy half dollar in your collection.


whats your half dollar worth


Specs & Design

This coin has a total mass of 11.34 g, a diameter of 30.6 mm, and a thickness of 2.15 mm. It's edge is Reeded, and the coins are composed of 1971 - Present 75% copper, 25% nickel, 1965-1970 40% silver 60% copper, 1964 - 90% Silver 10% copper.


Designer: Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro


Front (Obverse): The front or coin obverse contains the profile of John F. Kennedy gazing to the left. The words In GOD We Trust and Liberty are engraved. Mint marks are located to the bottom center of the bust. The date is present as well.


Back (Reverse): Contains a bald eagle grasping 13 arrow in its right claw, and am olive branch also containing 13 olives. A shield protects the eagles chest. 13 stars radiate along lines stemming from the eagles wings. These represent the original 13 colonies. The words United States of America and Half Dollar are present and engraved on the reverse as well.


P, D, S, W mint marks are present on coins. The initials FG stand for Frank Gasparro the designer of the coins reverse.


Most Valuable

The most valuable Kennedy Half Dollar's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.

Image Year Mint Worth
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 2014 W $3k
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 1964 D $115
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 2014 W $105
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 1995 S $82
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 1970 S $80
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 2019 S $80
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 1997 S $67
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 1969 D $65
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 1970 D $65
Kennedy Half Dollar Image 1964 $55
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Image Name Mint Worth

Want more? Click here to see the most valuable coins ever minted.

Are 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars Silver?

Yes! Kennedy Half Dollar's produced in 1964 are 90% silver to be precise, and contain .3617 troy oz or 11.25 grams in total of .999 pure silver. Silver weight is measured in troy ounces. Troy ounces weigh about 2 grams more than the standard ounce. CoinTrackers has built a tool that will let you know if your coin is silver or not. The tool is called Is My Coin Silver?.

Numismatic vs Intrinsic Value:

This coin in poor condition is worth $1.22 less than the intrinsic value from silver content of $11.22, this coin is thus more valuable to a silver bug than to a coin collector. You will most likely find however that it is hard to get a coin for less than spot price. At least that has been our experience. Want more info? Then read Coin Collecting Investment an article that details the benefits of coin collecting as a way to build wealth..

Current silver melt value* for a 1964 Kennedy is $11.22 and this price is based off the current silver spot price of $31.01 This value is dynamic so bookmark it and comeback for an up to the minute silver melt value.

***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.

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