Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Coins: Identifying and Valuing the 1964 Kennedy Silver Half Dollar

The article provides guidance on identifying Kennedy half dollar coins made of silver, focusing on their mint year and design variations since 1964. It explains how to distinguish these valuable coins from their clad counterparts. The Kennedy half dollar was first minted in 1964, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963. The initial mintage featured 90% silver and 10% copper, a composition that changed in subsequent years. Specifically, from 1965 onwards, the silver content was reduced to 40% silver and 60% copper for circulation strikes. Proof and collector versions continued to be struck with higher silver content for a period. Collectors can identify silver Kennedy half dollars by looking for the "S" mint mark for San Francisco issues or the absence of a mint mark for Philadelphia issues on early dates, though mint marks changed over time. The year of minting is crucial, as coins minted before 1965 are generally 90% silver, while those from 1965 to 1970 (excluding proofs) are 40% silver. The design, featuring President Kennedy on the obverse and the presidential seal on the reverse, has remained largely consistent, with minor modifications to the artistic details. The value of these coins depends not only on their silver content but also on their condition, rarity, and historical significance.