1976 Kennedy Half Dollar
The 1976 Kennedy Half Dollar was a special Bicentennial issue featuring a new reverse design. The reverse features Independence Hall in Philadelphia with an additional inscription reading “200 Years of Freedom.” The dollar and quarter dollar coins also featured new reverse designs for the Bicentennial in 1976. The regular reverse designs would resume in 1977.
For 1976, five different versions of the Kennedy Half were produced. The 1976 and 1976-D Kennedy Halves were struck for circulation. There was a 1976-S Proof Kennedy Half struck in copper nickel clad composition for regular proof sets. There were 40% silver 1976-S Uncirculated and Proof Kennedy Halves struck for inclusion in special 3 Coin Sets. Each set contained 40% silver versions of the quarter, half dollar, and dollar coins.
1976 Kennedy Half Dollar Mintages
1976 Kennedy Half Dollar: 234,308,000
1976-D Kennedy Half Dollar: 287,565,248
1976-S Kennedy Half Dollar (40% Silver): 7,059,099
1976-S Proof Kennedy Half Dollar: 11,000,000
1976-S Proof Kennedy Half Dollar (40% Silver): 4,000,000
1976 Kennedy Half Dollar Specifications
Designers: Gilroy Roberts (obverse), Seth Huntington (reverse)
Composition (clad): 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
Composition (40% silver): 40% silver, 60% copper
Weight (clad): 11.34 grams
Weight (40% silver): 11.50 grams
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Thickness: 2.15 mm
Mint Mark: none (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco)
