Kennedy Half Dollar

United States · 1991

A United States copper-nickel clad half dollar featuring a left-facing profile of President John F. Kennedy on the obverse and the Presidential Seal on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1991
Denomination: 50 Cents (Half Dollar)

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Identified August 25, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A United States copper-nickel clad half dollar featuring a left-facing profile of President John F. Kennedy on the obverse and the Presidential Seal on the reverse.

Historical significance

Introduced in 1964 as a memorial to the assassinated 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy, this series has become one of the most enduring and widely collected modern U.S. coin designs.

Obverse (front)

Left-facing portrait of President John F. Kennedy. The word 'LIBERTY' arches over the top, 'IN GOD WE TRUST' appears below, and the year '1991' is at the bottom with the 'D' mint mark just above the middle of the date.

Reverse (back)

The Presidential Seal featuring a heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast, holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons. A banner in its beak reads 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', surrounded by a ring of stars and the inscriptions 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'HALF DOLLAR'.

Estimated value

$0.50 to $2.00 in circulated condition; $3.00 to $15.00 in Mint State uncirculated condition

What drives this coin's value

Overall condition (presence of contact marks and wear), eye appeal, and mint state designation. Business strikes from this era are generally only valuable in high Mint State grades (MS-65 or higher).

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (AU/MS) with minor bag marks typical of business strike coins.

Mintage & rarity

Common; mintage for the 1991-D half dollar is in the tens of millions, making it readily available in all grades.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeits for modern copper-nickel clad half dollars are virtually nonexistent due to their low face value and high mintage, making authentication straightforward.

Notable varieties & errors

Minor doubled die obverse or reverse varieties occasionally appear, though none command significant premiums unless certified in extremely high grades.

Similar coins

Washington Quarters and Eisenhower Dollars, though easily distinguished by size and denomination inscriptions.

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges using clean cotton gloves or wash hands thoroughly before touching. Store in a cool, dry place within inert holders such as mylar flips or PVC-free coin capsules. Never clean the coin, as harsh cleaning or polishing destroys its numismatic value.