LemonTrades
TL;DR
- Every 1964 Kennedy half dollar is 90% silver and holds 0.3617 troy ounces. Its melt value is live below.
- About 430 million were made at Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D), so most sell for about melt value.
- The 1964 “Accented Hair” proof and the extremely rare 1964 Special Mint Set coins are worth far more.
- LemonTrades follows the silver price for you, with alerts on sharp moves and the likely cause.
Struck just months after President Kennedy’s death, the 1964 half was hoarded as a keepsake. Its silver now matters more than its face value.
Mint marks
| Mint | Mark | Made |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | About 273 million |
| Denver | D, on the back above the date | About 156 million |
On 1964 halves, the mint mark is on the back, near the claw holding the olive branch. From 1968, it moved to the front.
1964 halves worth more
- “Accented Hair” proof: early proofs with extra lines in Kennedy’s hair, above his ear.
- Special Mint Set: a satin-finish coin; only about a dozen are known.
- Uncirculated coins with full detail and no marks.
Condition matters most: a worn coin and a sharp, uncirculated one of the same date can differ by ten times or more. Look for wear on the highest points of the design, and never clean a coin you might sell; cleaning cuts its value.
Selling
To sell, compare offers from two or three coin dealers, or have a valuable coin graded by PCGS or NGC first. Bulk common coins sell close to melt value: see junk silver. Is it real? See is silver magnetic.
Later Kennedys: Kennedy half dollar value. Older halves: Walking Liberty half dollar value.
Sources
Education, not financial advice. Collector values vary with condition and demand; get a valuable coin checked by a reputable dealer or grading service. See our disclaimer.
