A Collector’s Guide to 1976-D Kennedy Half Dollar

The Kennedy Half Dollar was the first issue to which the general public became associated in the United States Bicentennial. This started on July 7, 1975. These coins easily outdid those of previous years in demand because they were popular everywhere.

This entailed a high mintage of 287,565,248 pieces that were minted at the Denver Mint in the course of two years: 1975 and 1976. This led to a boost of nearly 364% compared to the issuance that took place in the year 1974.

There is only one way to determine when Kennedy halves were produced: by the use of the Mint Sets. That is because all Kennedy halves minted 1975 and 1976 have the usual double date 1776-1976. Bicentennial coins part of the 1975 Uncirculated Coin Set were minted in 1975 if they were part of the set. The same applies to the sets from 1976.

By September of 1975, the United States Mint had turned the loose Uncirculated Sets it had previously sold to the general market. Altogether, 2.2 million of nearly four million were sold through a secondary program. This was termed an operation whereby the Mint sold sets directly to private banks for resale either directly to the public or as a secondary sale.

One year later, on September 9, 1976, Mint Director Mary Brooks wrote collectors that Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon had ordered the Mint to end its Bicentennial designs and replace all remaining 1977-dated denominations with the standard eagle reverse. To speed shipment of remaining inventory, Brooks recommended all interested collectors place their order either directly through the Mint or through a local bank.

Worth of 1976-D Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar?

Due to the fact that the majority of collectors removed these coins from circulation as soon as they were introduced, copies can still be found in Mint State at their face value. On the other hand, the majority of examples that are taken from circulation will be in circulated grades ranging from almost uncirculated to very fine. You might get lucky and find some Choice or Gem uncirculated examples of the Bicentennial halves if the unequal distribution of the coins results in a stock of Bicentennial halves at a bank branch.

Superb Gem, on the other hand, is a rare place to find the coin.

Because of this, the rarity of the item is made clear, even at higher grades. According to the PCGS, there are only 395 pieces that are graded as MS 66, 45 pieces are graded as MS 67, and one piece is graded as MS 67+. On the other hand, the NGC states that they graded 1,646 coins as MS 66, 170 coins as MS 67, nine coins with the MS 67+ grade, and one coin as MS 68. The number of NGCs has increased dramatically during the course of the past two years.

When compared to the most common grade for a modern United States currency, which is typically MS 64, the clad 1776-1976-D Kennedy half dollar comes in at MS 65. This is quite an odd statistic. There is a possibility that this is the result of widespread early selecting and a limited comprehension of CoinWeek’s “Terminal Point.”

Large premiums have been paid for a few of extremely rare 1976-D half dollars that have been sold.

The record for this type of coin at auction is known as an erroneous coin. Heritage Auctions only made $3,105 from an off-metal error in the year 2004 at their auction house. This variety is characterized by mistake pricing, and it is minted on a quarter planchet so that it may be easily identified.

Before the year 2018, almost every single sample that has been sold for more than one thousand dollars was an incorrect coin. However, this has recently begun to alter, as seen by the fact that many MS67 coins have been selling for more than $1,000. The Heritage sale that took place in January 2014 brought in $2,585 for the one and only high-grade pop PCGS MS67+. In the month of August 2023, Great Collections was the location where several NGC MS67+ coins were sold for a total of $1,293.75 and $942.75, respectively.

Because of the huge two-year mintage, circulation strike coins are extremely rare and only offer a truly considerable premium in that grade. This is because of the fact that they were only produced for two years. For MS 66s, the price lowers dramatically, with coins often being worth between $35 and $65, depending on the condition. Examples have been sold for as little as eleven dollars and as much as one hundred fifty dollars.

There is an additional grade that can be dropped to MS 65, and the price will be reduced by almost half once more. In recent times, examples of this grade have been sold for prices ranging from $25 to $30. It is important to note that this is an increase over the past several years, when they were selling for ten to twenty dollars, although there are still instances that are available for as little as one dollar.

As this pattern continues through pieces graded between MS 64 and MS 63, a collector should anticipate paying anywhere from $10 to $25 to purchase an example of this type of item. Additionally, it is not too difficult to locate components that cost as little as one dollar to five dollars. However, the premium can be rather substantial when it comes to toned or error coins. Coins with a beautiful tone might get anywhere from $100 to $200, while coins with errors can fetch hundreds of dollars.

Popular Top: PCGS MS67+ (1, 5/2024), NGC MS68 (1, 5/2024), and CACG MS64 (2, 5/2024).

NGC MS67+ #6605258-005. Great Collections, August 27, 2023, Lot 863441 – $942.75.
NGC MS67+ #6266220-001. Great Collections, August 20, 2023, Lot 1031282 – $1,293.75.
PCGS MS67+ #28244312. Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2014, Lot 4814 – $2,585.
PCGS MS67 #30011210. Heritage Auctions, August 30, 2022, Lot 29547 – $480; “The Stephenville Collection,” Heritage Auctions, May 13, 2024, Lot 93068 – $720.
NGC MS67 #1533368-001: Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2024, Lot 23565 – $420.
PCGS MS67 #4788067: Heritage Auctions, June 9, 2019, Lot 7560 – $1,080. Old Green Holder.
PCGS MS67 #34604764: Heritage Auctions, November 11, 2018, Lot 7514 – $1,440; Heritage Auctions, September 10, 2019, Lot 23612 – $960.
NGC MS67 #4392724-027: Heritage Auctions, November 5, 2017, Lot 21328 – $456. Kennedy novelty insert.
PCGS MS67 #11311545: Vennekotter Collection; Heritage Auctions, November 1, 2015, Lot 7625 – $1,116.25. Vennekotter Collection on insert; Great Collections, July 2, 2017, Lot 473988 – View. Black spot in left obverse field.

Design

Obverse

The obverse side of the Kennedy half dollar was designed by Gilroy Roberts, who became the ninth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on July 22, 1948. He served in that position until February 11, 1965. Roberts also designed the inaugural medal for President Kennedy, and that design was the basis for this one.

The central motif is an effigy of the 35th President of the United States, late John Fitzgerald Kennedy. A war hero and (at the time) the youngest person ever elected president, Kennedy was inaugurated on January 20, 1961, and assassinated on November 22, 1963. Such was the nation’s sense of shock and grief that Congress and the Mint rushed through a design change on the half-dollar denomination to commemorate the bereaved president.

Above this upper half is the word LIBERTY which Kennedy’s hair wraps over the bottom parts of the letters B, E and R. At the bottom is cradled a date, 1776-1976. In a straight line above the year is stamped the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST carved in a sharp line to separate the head from Kennedy’s neck. Truncation line on right side of the date has a mint mark “D”.

On the truncation line above the bottom right “WE” on Kennedy’s bust, Gilroy Roberts’ initials are found.

Coin Details

Country:	United States of America
Years of Issue:	1975 and 1976
Denomination:	Half Dollar (50 Cents USD)
Mintmark:	D (Denver)
Mintage:	287,565,248
Alloy:	75% Copper and 25% Nickel over a 100% Copper core
Weight:	11.34 g
Diameter:	30.60 mm
Edge:	Reeded
OBV Designer:	Gilroy Roberts
REV Designer:	Seth Huntington
Quality:	Business Strike

The 1976-D Kennedy Half Dollar is a bicentennial coin commemorating the 200th anniversary of the United States. It features a special reverse design, showcasing Independence Hall. While it holds historical and aesthetic value, the coin is common, with many produced in circulation quality. Its collector value depends on condition, with higher premiums for uncirculated or proof coins. Silver-clad versions, struck for collectors, are particularly sought after.

FAQs

1. What makes the 1976-D Kennedy Half Dollar special?
   • It commemorates the U.S. Bicentennial and has a unique reverse design featuring Independence Hall.
2. Is the 1976-D Kennedy Half Dollar valuable?
   • Circulated coins are generally worth face value, while uncirculated or silver-clad versions can fetch higher prices.
3. Was this coin made in silver?
   • Yes, a limited number of silver-clad versions were minted for collectors.
4. How can I determine the value of my coin?
   • The value depends on the coin’s condition, whether it’s silver-clad, and if it’s uncirculated or proof.
5. How many 1976-D Kennedy Half Dollars were produced?
   • Millions were minted, making circulated coins relatively common.

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