One of the things that makes the United States currency desirable in anyone’s coin collection is the tribute it pays to legendary figures that contributed to the forming of the country today.
Therefore, starting from the Lincoln penny and moving on to the famous Washington dollar bill, people can recognize iconic characters in American history on the obverse part of their old coins. While there were many amazingly designed coins back in the day, the Kennedy half-dollar is stand-out due to its materials, shape and angles. Excitingly, the auction record for one particular 1972 S half dollar was $9,000 in 2021!
While some might think that the main reason for creating this coin is the iconic character of President John F. Kennedy, well, this is only partially true. Let’s find out more…
1972 Half-Dollar: History
A few months after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the whole country was in shock. Everybody wanted to show their respect, which is how this commemorative coin was created.
Shortly after the assassination in 1963, the state decided to use the half-dollar and the mint to create the Kennedy half-dollar. If you look at such a coin, you can easily see the bust from the presidential inauguration medal.
While many coins depicted the former president with “accented hair,” the design was changed due to his wife, Jacqueline, who requested modifications. Back in the day, half-dollar coins were made of 90 percent silver. As good as this sounds, it had a flaw – these coins lasted only one year.
Today, the US 1972 silver dollar value is constantly increasing. Therefore, it’s no surprise that numismatics enthusiasts are crazy about it. While most of the half-dollar coins from that period are reasonably priced, others are a bit more complicated to find and collect, making them a desirable item with bonus silver content.
Very important! I know this might be unexpected but truth be told, not all half-dollar coins are as valuable as you think.
There are plenty of reasons why such a coin has no collectible value. To help you avoid scammers and get your hands on the real deal, we have created a complete guide to help you understand the criteria for establishing the 1972 half-dollar value.
How Much Is a 1972 Kennedy Half Dollar Upside Down Eagle Worth?
Checking The Value
The first thing to do when you get your hands on this type of coin is to check its condition. If the surface is in average shape, then your coin may not be worth even 50 cents. On the other hand, if the coin is in mint condition, you can expect to get more than $2.50. This fact is due to the lack of silver content in these coins.
Furthermore, you should know that when it comes to the 1972 half-dollar value with no mint mark, the value is also relatively low. Many of these coins have been on the market since more than 153,000,000 were produced.
There are also other considerations that interfere with a coin’s value. For instance, the grade is a particular factor influencing the 1972 JFK half-dollar value. Here is a helpful chart with various grades.
| COIN TYPE⬇\QUALITY➜ | MS 65 | MS 64 | MS 63 | MS 62 | MS 65 or Higher |
| 1972 Half Dollar | $12 – $20 | $5 – $9 | $2 – $4 | $120 – $150 | $2-$3 |
| 1972 P Half Dollar | – | – | $2.28 | – | – |
| 1972 D Half Dollar | $10 | – | $2.28 | – | $20 |
| 1972 S Half Dollar | $5.70 | – | – | – | – |
The auction record for the most expensive 1972 half dollar was for a 1972 S Kennedy half dollar struck on an incorrect planchet. It sold for $9,000 in 2021!
Side Note:
It is wise to consult these types of charts. You should always focus on the condition and grade of the coin. Look for every scratch and tiny defect so you can estimate and understand the true value. The numbers presented in the chart above are subject to demand and supply.
Kennedy Half Dollar Mint Marks
Kennedy half dollars were made in different states. Therefore, you may find three different mint marks on the coins while trying to complete your collection. They can be from Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Denver.
The coins from Philadelphia are either marked with a “P” or do not have any mint marks at all.
There are also coins that are marked with a “D,” which have been produced in Denver. Finally, the items that come with an “S” are from San Francisco.
| The Mint Mark | Location |
| P or none | Philadelphia |
| D | Denver |
| S | San Francisco |
Remember! Almost all the Kennedy half dollars have mint marks. As a matter of fact, the 1964 coins are the only exception. Look for the mark on the coin’s obverse side. You may see the mint at the bottom of the coin below the Kennedy portrait.
The Kennedy Half Dollar Value Chart By Year
| Date (and Mint Mark) | Average Price for Circulated | Average Price for Uncirculated |
| 1964 | $11.50 | $12.50 |
| 1964 (D) | $11.50 | $13.00 |
| 1965 | $5.00 | $7.00 |
| 1966 | $5.00 | $7.00 |
| 1967 | $5.00 | $7.00 |
| 1968 (D) | $5.00 | $7.00 |
| 1969 (D) | $5.00 | $7.00 |
| 1970 (D) | $7.50 | $13.50 |
| 1971 | $1.00 | $1.70 |
| 1971 (D) | $1.00 | $1.70 |
| 1972 | $1.00 | $1.60 |
| 1972 (D) | $1.00 | $1.60 |
| 1973 | $1.00 | $1.50 |
| 1973 (D) | $1.00 | $1.50 |
| 1974 | $1.00 | $1.40 |
| 1974 (D) | $1.00 | $1.70 |
| 1976 | $1.00 | $1.20 |
| 1976 (D) | $1.00 | $1.10 |
| 1976 (S) Silver | $5.00 | $7.00 |
| 1977 | $1.00 | $1.70 |
| 1977 (D) | $1.00 | $1.50 |
| 1978 | $1.00 | $2.10 |
| 1978 (D) | $1.00 | $2.70 |
| 1979 | $1.00 | $1.30 |
| 1979 (D) | $1.00 | $1.50 |
| 1980 | $1.00 | $1.50 |
| 1980 (D) | $1.00 | $1.50 |
| 1981 | $1.00 | $1.60 |
| 1981 (D) | $1.00 | $1.40 |
| 1982 | $1.00 | $2.60 |
| 1982 (D) | $1.00 | $2.10 |
| 1983 | $1.00 | $3.40 |
| 1983 (D) | $1.00 | $2.50 |
| 1984 | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1984 (D) | $1.00 | $2.10 |
| 1985 | $1.00 | $2.50 |
| 1985 (D) | $1.00 | $2.80 |
| 1986 | $1.00 | $5.40 |
| 1986 (D) | $1.00 | $3.90 |
| 1987 | $1.00 | $3.50 |
| 1987 (D) | $1.00 | $3.70 |
| 1988 | $1.00 | $3.30 |
| 1988 (D) | $1.00 | $2.20 |
| 1989 | $1.00 | $2.10 |
| 1989 (D) | $1.00 | $1.80 |
| 1990 | $1.00 | $2.20 |
| 1990 (D) | $1.00 | $3.00 |
| 1991 | $1.00 | $2.50 |
| 1991 (D) | $1.00 | $3.90 |
| 1992 | $1.00 | $1.10 |
| 1992 (D) | $1.00 | $2.80 |
| 1993 | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1993 (D) | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1994 | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1994 (D) | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1995 | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1995 (D) | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1996 | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1996 (D) | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| 1997 | $1.00 | $1.20 |
| 1997 (D) | $1.00 | $1.20 |
| 1998 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 1998 (D) | $1.00 | $1.20 |
| 1999 | $1.00 | $1.20 |
| 1999 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2000 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2000 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2001 | $1.00 | $1.60 |
| 2001 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2002 | $1.00 | $1.70 |
| 2002 (D) | $1.00 | $1.70 |
| 2003 | $1.00 | $1.10 |
| 2003 (D) | $1.00 | $1.10 |
| 2004 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2004 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2005 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2005 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2006 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2006 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2007 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2007 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2008 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2008 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2009 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2009 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2010 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2010 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2011 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2011 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2012 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2012 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2013 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2013 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2014 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2014 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2015 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2015 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2016 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2016 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2017 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2017 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2018 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2018 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2019 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2019 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2020 (D) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2020 (P) | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2021-D | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 2021-P | $1.00 | $1.00 |
Personal Note
The prices mentioned so far in this chart are an estimation. Consider them as the average possible value as they don’t take quality and condition into account. Values may change with supply and demand, and with inflation.
The Most Valuable JFK Half-Dollar Errors
Errors can make the coins even more special and expensive. Here are just a few Silver dollar value errors that you may observe…
- Missing small parts of the coin due to a smaller nickel planchet
- Some copper parts can turn orange or red
- When the planchet is struck more than once, it will end up with a double die error.
- Sometimes, the 1972 half-dollars have a cookie cutter appearance right on the edge. This causes the a missing “crescent” shape.
1972 was kind of a rough year for the USA mint. The mints changed in terms of materials – they switched from 40% silver to a mix of copper and nickel. Due to this new blend, people had to create new planchets, so do not be surprised to find 1972 half-dollar coins struck on the wrong planchet.
FAQ
Let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions people have regarding today’s topic. This way, you can clarify all aspects of the 1972 half-dollar value.
Q: Who designed the 1972 half-dollar?
A: When it comes to the reverse side of the 1972 half-dollar, Frank Gasparro was the designer. The obverse side featuring JFK’s profile was the result of Gilroy Roberts’ craftsmanship.
Q: What Stands On The Reverse Side Of The Half-Dollar?
A: Look closely at the reverse side of the 1972 half-dollar, and you will notice a heraldic eagle. The bird is holding arrows and a branch of olive leaves. You may see a circle of stars surrounding the eagle’s head.
Right at the coin’s borders are the words “United States of America“. If you notice these details and features, it means you are probably dealing with an authentic 1972 half-dollar coin.
Q: What is the 1972 D half dollar value ?
A: The 1972 D silver half dollar value is by far one of the top varieties when it comes to this particular coin. If you are one of the fortunate owners of these models, then you should know that on average they may be values at around $275. The auction record for the 1972 D silver half dollar was $5,287.50 in 2014!
Q: Which is the rarest and most precious Kennedy half-dollar coin?
A: One of the rarest coins facing Kennedy, as well as the most expensive ever, was the 1973 D silver Kennedy half-dollar which was minted over the 1972 D quarter. The coin was sold in 2016 for $11,750.
Last Thoughts
Has this list been a bit overwhelming? Well, take it only as a reference in checking JFK’s 1972 silver dollar value. Remember that prices vary greatly, based on the age to the selling point or auction sessions.
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