US Half Dollar Coin Values: Rarity and Prices by Type and Year

The value of a US half dollar coin depends on several factors, including its type, year, mint mark, and condition.

Flowing Hair (1794-1795): These are the earliest half dollars and are rare and valuable, especially in good condition. The 1794 Flowing Hair half dollar, for instance, can be worth around $2,850 in Good-4 condition.
Draped Bust (1796-1807): These coins also hold significant value due to their age and historical significance. A 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar with 16 obverse stars could be worth $39,500, according to CoinValues.com.
Capped Bust (1807-1839): These coins feature a different design of Lady Liberty wearing a cap. The extremely rare 1838-O Capped Bust Half Dollar was struck as a proof coin, and an Extremely Fine-40 Grade example is valued at $250,000.
Seated Liberty (1839-1891): The Seated Liberty half dollar was a very popular design. The 1878-S Seated Liberty Half Dollar, for example, is worth $28,500 in Good-4 condition.
Barber (1892-1915): The Barber Half Dollar series is also widely collected. A 1892-O micro “O” Barber Half Dollar in Good-4 condition is worth $2,250.
Walking Liberty (1916-1947): This series is admired for its design of Lady Liberty and the eagle on the reverse. Key dates such as the 1916-S and 1921-D are particularly sought after, with prices reaching into the tens of thousands for high-grade examples.
Franklin (1948-1963): These coins feature Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. Franklin Half Dollars contain 90% silver and have a minimum value of $12.83 for an average circulated example.
Kennedy (1964-Present): These coins feature President John F. Kennedy.

– 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars are 90% silver and are generally worth more than their face value, roughly $10-$15 each.
– 1965-1970 Kennedy Half Dollars contain 40% silver and have a value of around $5-$10 each.
– Kennedy Half Dollars from 1971 onwards (copper-nickel clad) are primarily worth their face value, unless they are in uncirculated condition or are part of special proof sets.
– Key date Kennedy Half Dollars can be quite valuable. Some examples include the 1964 SP68 Special Mint Set ($156,000) and the 1964-D MS68 ($32,900).
– Bicentennial Half Dollars (1776-1976) with errors can significantly increase their value, with some fetching thousands of dollars.

Condition (Grade): Coins in higher grades (e.g., Mint State) are generally worth more than those in lower grades.
Rarity: Coins with low mintages or those with historical significance are typically more valuable.
Mint Mark: The mint mark indicates where the coin was produced and can influence its value.
Metal Content: Silver half dollars, especially the 90% silver ones (pre-1965), have intrinsic value based on the current silver price.

Note: It’s important to consult with reputable coin dealers or grading services like PCGS or NGC for an accurate assessment of a coin’s condition and value. You can also refer to coin value guides or websites for up-to-date pricing information.