The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. As you know, nothing has changed since then, and the US Mint still produces this coin. The Bicentennial half-dollar coins were minted within 2 years (from 1975 to 1976) in three states of the country. Menu. Hundreds of millions of Bicentennial half-dollar coins of various versions were minted for different purposes at three mints between 1975 and 1976. Accordingly, she preserved three unused Bicentennial half-dollar coins in a piggy bank as early as July 5, 1976. Your email address will not be published. You could refer to the coins composition section above to learn their distinct composition. A DDR error occurs on the coins reverse, unlike a DDO error. Keep reading to learn more about these coins. 60% Copper/ 40 % Silver = 11.50 grams. MS 65 gem uncirculated- There is strong luster and eye appeal. But lets focus on the bicentennial half dollar. The problem with these silver coins is that it was possible to find only a small number in circulation. 3 days Left $300+ Face Value in Unused United States Postage Stamps as well as other Stamps included $150. When the coin was first released, buyers lined up around the block. A 1776-1976 Kennedy half dollar sold for only $1. Our preferred coin of choice is the quarter or 25c. *by Greysheet CAM-proof pieces are more expensive and typically cost $8 to $125, depending on the condition. Total mintage was about 4,000,000, with each coin carrying the San Francisco S mint mark. Sold. Half dollars used to be 90% silver. San Francisco coins carry an S mint mark. As we mentioned earlier, three mints produced the 1776 to 1976 half dollar. 50 cents. A few light contact marks may be present but they are barely noticeable. As with all collectible coins, errors and varieties could potentially hike their price. The Bicentennial Half Dollar is the half-dollar denomination of the Bicentennial commemorative coin series. You Could Find This Rare Penny In Your Pocket Change Heres What To Look For. The 1776 to 1976 half dollar belongs to the category of Memorial coins. Beginning in 1971, Kennedy half dollars made for circulation were struck in a copper-nickel clad composition. Components of the circulated coins contained no silver with a copper core and nickel cladding. Yes, the Bicentennial half-dollar coins struck in the Philadelphia Mint bear no mintmark. Silver is a more precious metal than copper and nickel. Halves in an MS 63 grade cost $3, but one perfect specimen won an auction record of $10,000. Be sure you check coin rolls of half dollars whenever you can. Eventually though, even the Kennedy half dollar had to acclimatize. Collectors Universe, Inc. disclaims any warranties whatsoever with respect to the accuracy of the PCGS3000 or any specific coin index. A 1776-1976 D half dollar coin in a circulated condition worth its face value of $0.5. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. In MS 65 gem uncirculated condition the price rises to around $24. But because these coins are so shiny, a newbie coin dealer may rush to grab them. What is its value? The US minted the 1776-1976 half dollar with no mint mark and also the 1776-1976 D half dollar, 1776-1976 S proof half dollar, 1776-1976 S silver half dollar, and 1776-1976 S silver proof half dollar. . Even though most 1976 No Mint mark Kennedy clad half dollars are worth $0.70 to $10, some highly graded pieces can be expensive. Those with a cameo finish are typically worth $4 to $175, while you should set aside $7 to $280 for a coin with deep cameo contrast. It was a beautiful way to commemorate two centuries of freedom our Founding Fathers established by signing the Declaration of Independence. 90% silver proof Kennedy half dollars have been made since 1992 for inclusion in certain proof sets. See prices and values for Kennedy Half Dollars (1964-Date) in the NGC Coin Price Guide. At the NGC, you can get a basic coin review for free, but if you want an in-depth appraisal with a certificate, you can sign up for membership starting at $25. If you look for half dollars, the dates youll most often find are from: After that, youll likely find some sporadic dates ranging from the late 1970s and early 1980s followed by a variety of dates from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. While this is very crucial for expensive and high-value coins, a convenient method might be the better choice for low-value coins. Plus, increased silver prices in the precious metal market increased hoarding. As I have already mentioned, you can find five bicentennial Kennedy half-dollar varieties minted in three mints in 1976. An average 1776-1976 S clad proof Kennedy half-dollar of 7,059,099 minted in San Francisco costs less than $6. Amazingly, more than a half a billion (thats with a B!) As I have already mentioned, the San Francisco mint produced three Kennedy half-dollar types. The obverse side of the coin features the same design as other Kennedy half dollars. Manage Settings As a collector, you will inevitably need them to complete your collection. Most of the available Bicentennial halves possess significant contact marks and dents. The 1776-1976 S silver proof half dollar is worth around $12 in PR 65 condition. Overall 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. Several third-party grading systems are involved in rating the condition of Bicentennial halves. Required fields are marked *. Also, the 1976 Half Dollar with no mint mark has no silver component, further reducing its value. Clad half dollars are worth 50c. The group pitched the idea to President Richard Nixon, and they decided the specific measures they should apply regarding the denominations and distribution of the coins. Due to the rush to produce the Bicentennial half-dollar coins for the countrys 200th-anniversary celebration, they werent struck with the best quality. Unlike the other mints, the San Francisco Mint exclusively struck Bicentennial half-dollar coins for collectors. If you look for Kennedy half dollars at banks, theres actually a slim chance youll wind up finding silver half dollars. One 1776-1976 Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar Coin. Both use the Sheldon scale. A 40% silver 1976 half dollar weighs 11.5 grams. Intricate details have worn off due to serious exposure during exchanges. Different mints struck hundreds of millions of Bicentennial halves within this period regular copper-nickel clad coins for circulation and 40% silver coins for collectors. Slow down though glossy proof half dollar coins dont fetch as much as regular half dollars in uncirculated condition. Real Helpful. Melt Value $107.21. These newer coins had a lower melt value but were just as shiny, heavy, and pretty. Despite high overall mintage, only a low number of proofs was struck in this period, making these coins more pricey than standard pieces for circulation. Particular coins being offered for sale may not have been included within particular indexes, and if included, may not have experienced the same market movements as the index as a whole. The most valuable clad proof was paid $1,100 at Great Collections in 2013, while the one with a cameo contrast reached a modest $150 on eBay in 2019. Did the Philadelphia Mint produce any 40 percent silver proof, gem, or any. If you have a silver half dollar in lower mint states or AUs, its $1 to $5. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This coin was part of a special commemorative set that featured a commemorative silver dollar of Robert F. Kennedy. They bear the inscription LIBERTY on top of the upper half of their obverse rim. The coins obverse (head) is significantly similar to other Kennedy Half Dollars in that it also carries the late Presidents left side profile. Thus, she was of age to memorize the celebrations joy, bustles, and significance. For instance, those with an MS 66 ranking cost $100, while coins in the MS 67 grade can be worth up to $1,300. Therefore, none of these U.S. coin denominations exist with . In uncirculated form, the 1776-1976 D half dollar is worth between $3 and $4. The dime, nickel, and penny kept their original tails. Currently, the true value of the 1776 to 1976 half-dollar depends on its condition and mint mark. Ike Dollar, 1976 $1 Type 2, PCGS MS67. Click image to enlarge. The 1776-1976 Kennedy half-dollar errors are rare, and you can only find occasional, accidentally discovered pieces. Now for the errors: Because so few JFK half dollars ended up in circulation, their condition is largely pristine and were not as familiar with their errors. Home | Site Map | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Contact. Rather, only the San Francisco Mint struck special coins and medals, including the 40 percent silver proof coins. The standard 1776 to1976 half dollar value in circulated condition are worth only $0.50 of their face value. However, a Bicentennial coins composition varies with where it was minted, its purpose, and its version. Three Modern Coins You Probably Didnt Know Are Worth Saving. In subsequent paragraphs, well extensively discuss the mintage, features, and design of the Bicentennial halves to help you recognize the coins and tell them apart from modern replicas or counterfeits. US\Half Dollars\Kennedy (1964-Now)". In addition, it is a great source of information for numismatic experimenters who want to increase their knowledge or expand their coin collection. Government Packaging of our choosing. PCGS Recognizes Excellence in Writing Achievements, Gold Bullion Spotlight: Mexico Centenario Coins, Return to Bicentennial Coinage: Silver Business Strike Edition.. Interestingly, the silver-clad coins had a mintage of 11 million, putting them in the common section. The United States government swiftly approved the Kennedy half dollar mere weeks after Kennedy was killed making for what was one of the most sudden changes in United States coinage history. Kennedy half dollars, which have been in circulation since 1964, honor John F. Kennedy our nations 35th president, who served from 1961 until he was assassinated in 1963. The silver melt value for this coin is $3.15 as of March 04, 2023. Meanwhile, all 1776-1976-S 40% Silver Bicentennial Dollars made for distribution to the public carry the Type 1 design and represent the only issue among these dollar coins that were made in just the single variety. Within two years, the Denver and Philadelphia mints had struck 521,873,248 clad business strike Bicentennial half-dollar coins, and several others were minted for collectors. This 1976-D 50C Clad Bicentennial Half Dollar. Im also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). The Bicentennial Half Dollar features a portrait of the 35th President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, as the central motif of its obverse side (head), similar to the conventional 50-cent coin. Below, you will see how much Kennedy half dollars are worth (including the Bicentennial half dollar), and which ones are considered rare Kennedy Half dollars. The coins bottom usually carries its year of production, but this time, it carries the double date 1776 1976. This tendency was more common with the circulated versions. Theyre just the right size and weight for slot machines. However, if the coin is graded by a professional service such as Numismatic Guaranty Company or Professional Coin Grading Service, 1976 D Kennedy Half Dollar Value can be worth $20 in MS65 and $40 in MS66. These coins only sell for a premium in uncirculated condition. After a competition that was opened to American sculptors, the US Mint selected Seth G. Huntingtons design for the coins reverse. 1964 was the only year Kennedy half dollars were struck in the 90% silver format. (By the way, 1970 Kennedy half dollars were made only for mint sets, though some have entered circulation.). Accordingly, the value of Bicentennial half-dollar coins increases with their condition. Even though the 1776 to 1976 Kennedy half dollar value is not a lot, its worth lie in its significance. Congressman Pushes For Ronald Reagan $50 Bill A Reagan Coin Is Still In The Future, Check Out The National Money Show: One Of The Biggest Coin Shows Around. Since many early Kennedy half dollars were melted because of silver content, the US Mint started striking silver-clad pieces with the reduced silver percentage in 1965. Is it possibly worth anything? Naturally, this variety should cost more than the others without silver components. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. On the one hand, the uncirculated version comprised a silver-clad alloy 60% copper and 40% silver. (Value Chart), 17 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money, 18 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollars Worth Money, 1972 Half Dollar Value Guides (Rare Errors, D, and No Mint Mark), 1976 Kennedy Half Dollar Value Guides (Rare Errors, D, S and No Mint Mark), 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar Value (Rare Errors, D, SMS and No Mint Mark), 1963 Franklin Half Dollar Value (Rare Errors & D Mint Mark), 1944 Half Dollar Value Guides (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Marks), 1979 Half Dollar Value (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Marks), 1980 Half Dollar Value (Rare Errors, D, S & P Mint Marks), 1944 Nickel Value (Rare Errors, D, S & P Mint Marks), 1971 Quarter Value (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Marks), 1911 Wheat Penny Value (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Marks), 1979 Nickel Value (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Marks), Reverse lamination part of the outer silver layer peeled off the inner copper layer, DDO Double die obverse visible on the word Trust, DDR Double die reverse visible on the motto E Pluribus Unum, Die adjustment error the coin looks smudged because of inadequate die pressure, Double Struck the second die was 5% off-center, Brockage the obverse and the reverse have the same mirrored image, Broadstrike the coin is struck over the rim, Double denomination the coin is struck on the wrong size planchet, 20% clip error part of the coin got chopped off during minting, Missing clad someone forgot to add the upper silver layer on the front, Strikethrough date something covered and smudged the date during minting. Professional Coin Grading Services is a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. Get free numismatic news from leading coin experts, in-depth articles, market summary videos, surveys & more! People hoarded those 1964 Kennedy half dollars, both for their melt value and historical merit. When the contest ended in December 1973, the submitted list comprised about 884 images. Here, well inform you of these considerations to enable you to properly appraise a Bicentennial coin before collecting or auctioning it. I also have several Kennedy halves that Im considering sending in after reading your posts. The most pricey are 1976 S DCAM silver proof Kennedy half dollars, so you should pay $10 to $250 for one, on average. As we mentioned, by 1965, half dollars were down to 40% silver. 1776-1976 S SILVER 1776-1976 S SILVER 50C PFUC Varieties Shop! Therefore, the Type 1 and Type 2 varieties mentioned in this article primarily concern the business-strike issues and copper-nickel clad proofs. Very few of these coins are in circulation, but since over half a million were minted, their resale value is on the lower side. The auction record for this coin is $330 since one collector set aside this sum for such a quality specimen on eBay in 2022. A well-worn bicentennial Kennedy half dollar made from copper-nickel clad and bearing either no mintmark under Kennedys head or a D mintmark (for Denver) is worth face value or 50 cents. What Is the Value of a 1776 to 1976 Silver Dollar? Published: January 30, 2020. The US Treasury Department conducted an open design competition for the special image on the coins reverse side. Considering the Bicentennial Dollars are technically only a one-year issue in terms of the single date reflected on these coins, there certainly are a large number of varieties to account for and thats not even counting some very rare presentation strikes. The Denver Mint had the highest mintage with a total of 287,565,248. Acquiring the coin makes assembling the rest of the collection easy. Values for most Kennedy half dollars are cheap except for the prices of a couple scarce coins and error coins, of which there are many: If youve found a Bicentennial half dollar in your change, youre probably wondering what the 1776-1976 half dollar value is and whether or not these old half dollars are rare. It features a thickened texture of the obverse inscription WE TRUST., This oddity is also seen on a San Francisco silver-clad Bicentennial half. A Bicentennial half-dollar coins weight depends on its composition. A few blemishes may be present. This is when the words and images seem to blur, double, triple, or quadruple because the die shifted during minting. The 1776-1976 proof silver dollar is worth around $20 in PR 65 condition. Heres a rundown on the two varieties: Ike Dollar, 1976 $1 Type 1, REVERSE COMPARISON. A Bicentennial half struck in the Philadelphia Mint will bear no mintmark. ): Type: Kennedy Edge: Reeded Mint Mark: S Year: 1776-1976 Face Value: $0.50 USD Price: $0.50 to $220.00 (or more) Quantity produced: 11,000,000 Composition: 40% silver and 60% copper Mass: 11.50 grams Diameter: 31 mm Thickness: 2.15 mm photo source: PCGS As a special and limited edition, the U.S. Mint produced a 1976-S 50-cent silver coin. Kennedy half dollars have the presidential seal on the back, have the initials of designer Frank Gasparro (FG), and are based on the Kennedy Presidential Medal. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. johns hopkins medical school letters of recommendation. 1776-1976 Kennedy Half Dollar worth? Meanwhile, the term HALF DOLLAR rests on the lower third of the rim, with 13 small stars adorning the top of the letters from A to A. The phrases 200 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE and E PLURIBUS UNUM (The Latin rendition of Out of Many, One ) are on the left and right sides of the Independence Hall, respectively. The price of Bicentennial half-dollar coins ranges from 50-cents (for the ordinary circulated-worn-pieces) to up to a thousand dollars for the few well-preserved, high-quality uncirculated versions. 1st Strike Full Brockage: This coin was struck between the obverse style and the obverse of a previously struck half-dollar. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Other common errors include but are not limited to. Varieties Shop! The half dollar stayed silver a bit longer. The proof coins also carry the S mint mark that shows it was struck at the San Francisco Mint. Regardless of when struck, each coin bears the double date 1776-1976 on the normal obverses for the Washington quarter, Kennedy half dollar and Eisenhower dollar. If the coin is composed of clad (clad business strikes and clad proof versions), itll weigh 11.34 grams. However, these coins cannot be common as the others, with a mintage as high as 200+ million. The standard 1776-1976 clad half dollars in circulated condition are only worth their face value of $0.50. MS 63 choice uncirculated- In the major focal areas there are some blemishes or contact marks. Along the top of the Independence Hall profile, you will find the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA struck onto the coin. You may tell where a Bicentennial half-dollar coin was minted through its mint marks. But if you can find a high-grade coin of MS63 or higher, you can get over $5,000 for it. The 1776-1976 S silver half dollar is worth around $8 in uncirculated condition with a grade of MS 63. Great for any collection! March 2, 2023 admin. Some factors worth considering when acquiring or selling a Bicentennial half-dollar coin include: Well elucidate how these factors influence the coins worth in the subsequent paragraphs. But the 1776 to 1976 half dollar isnt just any old coin. See Sold Price. The United States Mint began striking 1776-1976 Bicentennial Dollars in 1975, which is why there are no Eisenhower Dollars bearing a "1975" date - and the same goes for the Washington Quarters and Kennedy Half Dollars, also struck in 1975 and 1976 with special 1776-1976 dual dating and reverse Bicentennial designs. Uncirculated Kennedy half dollar sold for $4 in the same period. 1776-1976; 1776-s; 1948-68; 1960s; 1964-1964-1967; 1964-1982; 1964-1991; 1964-1994; I am not aware of any original 1776-1976 gold clad 50 cent pieces. What Is the Value of a 1776 to 1976 Half Dollar? As expected, its composition also determines if the coin will sell for more or less. On the other hand, the proof version included both silver-clad coins comparable to the uncirculated sets and clad coins with a similar composition to those minted in Philadelphia and Denver. The coin also possesses the inscription GR-the initials of Gilroy Roberts, the designer of the Kennedy Half Dollars obverse-above the WE on the right side of Kennedys bust truncation line. The standard 1776 to1976 dollar value in circulated condition are worth only $0.50 of their face value. Common features for a DDO error include the coins production year and WE TRUST. Unfortunately, a DDO error only adds a little bit extra to the coins value. Therefore, the PCGS3000 should only be used as one guide to rare coin prices and historical price movements, and not as the sole source for determining the value or market history of a particular coin. Kennedy half dollars, though not seen in circulation much anymore, are actually very common coins. Both the 1776-1976 half dollar with no mint mark and the 1776-1976 D half dollar are each worth around $3 in uncirculated condition with an MS 63 grade. Sell on Amazon 1776-1976 Kennedy Bicentennial Half Dollar Brilliant Uncirculated Original Mint Cello Brand: US Mint 220 ratings | 8 answered questions Currently unavailable. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (Value Chart), 17 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money, 18 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollars Worth Money, 1972 Half Dollar Value Guides (Rare Errors, D, and No Mint Mark), 1943 Half Dollar Value Guides (Rare Errors, D, S and No Mint Mark), 1941 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Mark), 1963 Franklin Half Dollar Value (Rare Errors & D Mint Mark), 1925 Stone Mountain Half Dollar Value (Rare Errors), 1980 Half Dollar Value (Rare Errors, D, S & P Mint Marks), 1944 Nickel Value (Rare Errors, D, S & P Mint Marks), 1971 Quarter Value (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Marks), 1911 Wheat Penny Value (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Marks), 1979 Nickel Value (Rare Errors, D, S & No Mint Marks), The core of 100% copper and a layer of 75% copper with nickel, 1976 D PCGS Genuine clad Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $10,000 on eBay in 2021, 1976 S MS 69 silver Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $9,600 at Heritage Auctions in 2022, 1976 S PR 70 DCAM clad Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $5,175 at Heritage Auctions in 2008, 1976 S PR 70 DCAM silver Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $4,370 at Heritage Auctions in 2003, 1976 No Mint mark MS 64 clad Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $3,105 at Heritage Auctions in 2004, 1976 S PR 70 silver Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $2,800 on eBay in 2020, 1976 S PR 67 clad Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $1,100 at Great Collections auctions in 2013, 1976 S PR 70 CAM silver Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $330 on eBay in 2022, 1976 S PR 66 CAM clad Kennedy half-dollar that was sold for $105 on eBay in 2019. This error causes certain features on the coins obverse to either double or be thick than usual. There are really no rare regular-strike Kennedy half dollars. One 1776-1976 Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar Coin. Hence, it has established a substantial market for coin dealers and collectors. Both the Kennedy half dollar and Eisenhower dollar also received temporary Bicentennial reverse designs for 1976. His coin doesnt have the last letter E in the word INDEPENDENCE and the letter H in the word HALL. Furthermore, the Bicentennial Half Dollar portrays the dual date 17761976 on the bottom of its obverse side, with the figure 1 in 1776 placed under the G in GOD, and the 6 in 1976 beneath the R in TRUST. This dual-date notation is distinctive to the Bicentennial coinage. Silver specimens weigh 0.36973 troy ounces (11.50 g) and contain 40% silver and 60% copper, while silver weight is 0.14789 troy ounces (4.60 g). Click image to enlarge. These coins easily lost their glow and got dented if they werent well-preserved on time. But thank you for your info, How Much Is 1776 to 1976 Half Dollar Worth? UNITED STATES 1776-1976 "S" IKE PROOF CLAD BI-CENTENNIAL DOLLAR COIN KM#206 $9.85 Right Now on eBay Bicentennial 1976 JFK Half Dollar US Coins 24K GOLD PLATED w/Capsules *Lot of 3* $14.95 Right Now on eBay United States Space Force 1976 Eisenhower Dollar Legal Tender Coin - IN STOCK!! The San Francisco Mint struck all the 1976 half dollars intended for collection, including proof sets and uncirculated coins. Contains a Washington quarter, Kennedy half dollar and Eisenhower dollar. Note: The mint mark, when present, can be found on the obverse side of the coin above the date. You may confuse the rim and the edge since most people use them interchangeably, but the edge is the reeded or smooth side while the rim is the embossed border that collars the coin. The San Francisco mint produced 4,000,000 proof Kennedy silver dollars with the 1776-1976 date. From 1965 through 1970, Kennedy half dollars were made of a 40% silver composition. A 1776 to 1976 half dollar can sell for as low as $0.50 in circulated condition, $2.6 in uncirculated condition, and $4 for proof coins. John Fitzgerald . cameo JFK Bicentennial 1776-1976 Half Dollars? Item: 50 K76-06. Thanks for the great info. The San Francisco Mint struck a total of 11,000,000 1976 S silver half dollars between 1975 and 1976. The reason the Bicentennial Dollars were minted was to honor the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, signed by many of the most notable United States Founding Fathers on July 4, 1776 to proclaim the sovereignty of the nation. The best way to make this easy is to start with the 1776 to 1976 S silver proof half dollar since it is the least common. Thus, a silver-clad Bicentennial half will fetch a greater price than an ordinary copper-nickel clad equivalent, even if theyre in the same proof set. This is because proof coins have pretty privilege. Full Dates Roll Of 20 Coins $10 Face Value 90% Silver 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars. These coins bear the reverse designs commemorating the Bicentennial of the United States of America. The Bicentennial Kennedy half dollar was the first of the three coins to be issued, at a ceremony in Huntington's hometown of Minneapolis held on July 7, 1975. Real Experiences. The bicentennial Kennedy half dollars produced in three mints came in five variations and two different metal compounds. The reason was that it was emblematic of the Bicentennial era. The seller is "firstmoderncoins" and is located in this country: US. This coin has a special design on the reverse side of the coin to celebrate the Bicentennial of the United States. Most collectors regard this category as the best grade a circulated coin can have. Proof coins are categorized as PF60 to PF70, and the best prices come from Mint State coins and Proof Coins. The most pricey among clad proofs minted in the San Francisco mint in 1976 is a piece with a deep cameo finish. Condition: Circulated. Lets look closer at these bicentennial mistakes. What is the rarest Kennedy Half Dollar? This new design depicted the Independence Hall as the centrepiece of the coins reverse. The US Mint started with the Kennedy half-dollar minting in 1964 as a memorial to John F. Kennedy, probably the most beloved American President ever. Well, the outside of the coin still looked sterling. Bicentenary of the United States Declaration of Independence 1776-1976. However, a mourning nation wanting these souvenirs of the fallen president quickly put in place a national habit of withholding half dollars from circulation.