Kennedy Half Dollar
Country of Origin: United States of America
Year of Issue: 1974
Denomination: 50 Cents (Half Dollar)
Composition: Copper-nickel clad copper (Outer layers: 75% copper, 25% nickel; Inner core: 100% copper)
Brief Description
A silver-colored United States half dollar featuring the profile of John F. Kennedy on the obverse and the Presidential Seal on the reverse.
Historical Significance
The Kennedy Half Dollar was first minted in 1964 as a memorial to the assassinated President John F. Kennedy. By 1974, the composition had moved from silver to clad to save precious metals for the Treasury.
Estimated Value
$0.50-$1.00 in circulated condition, $2.00-$20.00 in high Mint State (MS-65+)
Care Instructions
Handle by the edges only to avoid skin oils damaging the surface. Store in a PVC-free coin flip or holder. Do not clean or polish the coin, as this significantly reduces numismatic value.
Mint Mark
None (Philadelphia Mint)
Mintage & Rarity
201,596,000 (Very common)
Weight & Diameter
11.34 grams / 30.6 mm
Edge
Reeded
Apparent Grade
Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (XF-AU). Shows light wear on high points like Kennedy's hair and the eagle's breast feathers, and some surface bag marks.
Obverse (Front)
A left-facing portrait of John F. Kennedy. Legends: LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date 1974. Designed by Gilroy Roberts.
Reverse (Back)
The Presidential Seal, featuring an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows, surrounded by 50 stars. Legends: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOLLAR. Designed by Frank Gasparro.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Most 1974 halves are worth face value unless they are in exceptional Mint State condition or feature a recognized strike error.
Similar Coins
1964 (90% silver) and 1965-1970 (40% silver) versions. Check the edge; if it shows a solid copper stripe, it is a post-1970 clad coin.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Authentic clad coins have a distinct copper layer visible on the edge. High mintage makes counterfeiting this specific year rare for circulation, but watch for 'plated' coins sold as silver.
Notable Varieties & Errors
Double Die Obverse (DDO) varieties exist for 1974, most notably on the letters of 'TRUST' and 'LIBERTY'.
Created At: 2026-05-25T02:59:15.773842