For the tenth year in a row the fifty cent denomination will not be issued for circulation. Rather the 2011 Kennedy Half Dollar will be struck in limited quantities and distributed only through United States Mint numismatic products. Federal Reserve Banks continue to have sufficient quantities of half dollars in storage and the denomination experiences very little circulation in the current retail environment.

The proof versions of the 2011 Kennedy Half Dollar were the first to be released when the US Mint began sales of the 2011 Proof Set and 2011 Silver Proof Set in January. This included versions struck in the standard composition and in 90% silver at the San Francisco Mint.

In February, the US Mint released the annual uncirculated coin set, which included examples of the coin struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints with a brilliant finish. In the same month numismatic bags and rolls were also offered.

It seems likely that the brilliant finish version and circulation strike coins will not be differentiated by the grading services. This will reduce the number of coins that collectors need to acquire in order to update collections and registry sets.

2011 Kennedy Half Dollar Mintages

2011-P Kennedy Half Dollar: TBD
2011-D Kennedy Half Dollar: TBD
2011-S Proof Kennedy Half Dollar: TBD
2011-S Silver Proof Kennedy Half Dollar: TBD

2011 Kennedy Half Dollar Specifications

Designers: Gilroy Roberts (obverse), Frank Gasparro (reverse)
Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
Silver Proof Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Weight: 11.34 grams (clad), 12.50 grams (silver proof)
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Thickness: 2.15 mm
Mint Mark: P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco)

Mintages for Proof Kennedy Half Dollars have fluctuated widely over the years. The highest mintage occurred for the 1976 issue, which featured a special reverse design to celebrate the Bicentennial. This coin was issued in both the 1975 and 1976 Proof Sets, leading to the higher mintage level.

The lowest mintages for Proof Kennedy Halves occurred during the mid-1990′s silver proof coins. In 1992, the United States Mint began issuing an annual Silver Proof Set, which included a 90% silver half dollar, quarter, and dime. After high sales for the inaugural set, collector interest waned, resulting in some low mintages. Levels would increase with the start of the State Quarter series, which drove higher annual set sales.

The table below presents the known final mintages for Proof Kennedy Half Dollars.

Proof Kennedy Half Dollar Mintages

Kennedy Half Dollars have been struck in proof format for every year of the series, except for the years 1965-1967 when special mint set coins were issued in place. As with the broader series, the proof coins were issued in different compositions as the silver content of the denomination was altered. Each proof coin was issued as part of a complete government issued proof set containing multiple denominations.

For the first year of issue, the 1964 Proof Kennedy Half Dollar was struck in 90% silver, the same composition as the circulating version of the coin. These coins were produced at the Philadelphia Mint.

The next proof coins to be issued from 1968 to 1970 were struck in 40% silver, again matching the composition of the circulation strike. Starting with 1968, all proof coin production would take place at the San Francisco Mint with coins bearing the “S” mint mark.

The following year, the silver content was completely removed from the half dollar, resulting in a copper-nickel clad proof coins struck from 1971 to present.

There were several proof coins subsequent to this date with silver content, specially produced for collectors. This included the 1976-S Proof Kennedy Half Dollar struck in 40% silver and sold as a special three coin proof set to celebrate the Bicentennial. Decades later in 1992, the US Mint released an annual Silver Proof Set, which included the half dollar struck in 90% silver. The most valuable proof Kennedy Halves are some of the lower mintage 90% silver issues.

The 1970-D Kennedy Half Dollar has traditionally been considered the key date coin for the series. The coin had a mintage of 2,150,000 due to the fact that it was only released in the government issued 1970 Mint Set and not issued for circulation.

This year also represents the final circulation strike issue of the series to be minted with silver content. In later years, silver compositions were used for specially issued collectible uncirculated and proof Kennedy Half Dollars.

The 1970-D Kennedy Half is almost always found in uncirculated grades due to the origin of the coins. They can still be acquired as part of a complete 1970 Mint Set, or as a single coin from a broken up set. Examples graded MS67 by PCGS and NGC are rare and command high premiums.

One of the most notable varieties of the Kennedy Half series, is the 1964 “Accented Hair” Kennedy Half Dollar. The variety only exists for the proof version of the coin. Many collectors seeking a complete set of proof coins will include this variety in their collection.

In the first year of issue for the Kennedy Half Dollar, the design was modified shortly after production began. It has been rumored that the modification came at the request of Jacqueline Kennedy who disliked the details of the hair above her husband’s ear. An alternate theory suggest that the modifications were done to facilitate production. Whatever the case, the heavy incise lines in Kennedy’s hair were removed, creating a low mintage variety.

It has been estimated that 1% to 3% of the total mintage of proof 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars. This would suggest a total population ranging from about 40,000 to 120,000 coins.

Besides the appearance of Kennedy’s hair, there are other diagnostics which will distinguish the “accented hair” variety. On the obverse of the coin, the “I” in “LIBERTY” had a truncated lower left serif as compared to the full serif on the regular version.

On the reverse of the coin, one of the rays appearing between the eagle and scroll will have breaks at the area of the stars. No breaks appear on the regular version. Additionally on the reverse of the coin, the “G” from designer’s initials “FG” will not have a horizontal serif on the variety.

The images above show the details of the “accented hair” variety compared to the regular version of the coin.

Both PCGS and NGC attribute the variety on 1964 Proof Kennedy Half Dollars. The coins trade for a premium above regular versions. The Proof 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar with “accented hair” can be difficult to find with cameo or deep cameo contrast.

During the year 1998, the United States Mint offered a special Kennedy Collector’s Set which contained the low mintage 1998-S Matte Proof Kennedy Half Dollar.

The special set was produced as part of the Robert F. Kennedy Commemorative Coin Program. This set included the uncirculated 1998 Robert F. Kennedy Silver Dollar and a 90% silver Kennedy Half Dollar struck with a special finish.

Because the matte proof Kennedy Half Dollar was only offered in this two coin set, the coin has an extremely low mintage of about 62,000 coins. The two coin sets were originally priced at $59.95, but today the Kennedy Half Dollar is valued at several hundred dollars and considered to be one of the key date coins of the series.

Most of the 1998 matte proof Kennedy Halves will be encountered in pristine uncirculated grades due to the special minting and handling procedures for the coin. Many coins have been encapsulated and graded by PCGS or NGC in top grade MS70 or SP 70.

The 2010 Kennedy Half Dollar will not be issued for circulation. However, as the United States Mint has done since 2002, the coins will be produced in limited quantities for direct sale to collectors. On January 19, 2010, the US Mint began sales of two roll sets priced at $32.95 and 200-coin bags priced at $130.95.

Later in the year, the 2010 Kennedy Half will also be issued as part of the US Mint’s regular clad and 90% silver proof sets. The coins will also be issued in satin finish version through the annual uncirculated mint set.

2010 Kennedy Half Dollar Mintages

2010-P Kennedy Half Dollar: TBD
2010-D Kennedy Half Dollar: TBD
2010-S Proof Kennedy Half Dollar: TBD
2010-S Silver Proof Kennedy Half Dollar: TBD

2010 Kennedy Half Dollar Specifications

Designers: Gilroy Roberts (obverse), Frank Gasparro (reverse)
Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
Silver Proof Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Weight: 11.34 grams (clad), 12.50 grams (silver proof)
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Thickness: 2.15 mm
Mint Mark: P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco)

The Kennedy Half Dollar series experienced a transformation during the period from 2000-2011. Until now the half dollar denomination had been produced nearly every year for circulation, although in decreasing numbers. Starting in 2002, the US Mint no longer produced Kennedy Halves for circulation, although they did continue to produce circulation strike coins for collectors.

The US Mint began selling bags and rolls of circulation strike Kennedy Half Dollars directly to collectors. These coins were priced at a premium above face value and sold in 200-coin bags from either the Philadelphia or Denver Mint, and a two rolls set containing one roll of coins from each Mint. Sales of similar bags and rolls followed for each subsequent year.

The Kennedy Half Dollar also continued to be produced for collectors through the annual Mint Sets, Proof Sets, and Silver Proof Sets.

Each year, from 2005 to 2010, there were actually six distinct Kennedy Half Dollars produced each year. This consisted of the circulation strike coins from Philadelphia and Denver, the satin finish coins from Philadelphia and Denver, the clad proof coin from San Francisco, and the silver proof coin from San Francisco. Starting in 2011, the satin finish coin was no longer used.

Kennedy Half Dollars By Year

• 2000 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2001 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2002 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2003 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2004 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2005 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2006 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2007 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2008 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2009 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2010 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2011 Kennedy Half Dollar

The Kennedy Half Dollar series saw collectible offerings expand during the years 1990 to 1999. This was the result of the launch of the Silver Proof Set, which contained 90% silver coins, and the issuance of a special release included in a commemorative coin set.

Starting in 1992, the US Mint began issuing a Silver Proof Set. These sets included the half dollar, quarter, and dime struck in a composition of 90% silver. The sets were issued annually after this date, creating a new regular issue for each coin series. Some of the Silver Proof Kennedy Half Dollars issued during the mid-1990′s had very low mintages which result in high prices.

In 1998, the US Mint issued commemorative coins for Robert Kennedy. A special set was issued which included the commemorative coin paired with a Kennedy Half Dollar. This coin was struck with a special matte proof finish. Because of the small number of sets issued, this has become a valuable collector coin.

Kennedy Half Dollars By Year

• 1990 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1991 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1992 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1993 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1994 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1995 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1996 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1997 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1998 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1999 Kennedy Half Dollar

Kennedy Half Dollar coins issued between 1980 and 1989 had generally lower mintages than earlier years of the series. The half dollar denomination no longer saw significant circulation and fewer were required to be minted each year.

For collectors, the 1982 and 1983 Kennedy Half Dollars can sometimes be more difficult to find in uncirculated grades. For these two years the US Mint did not issue the annual mint set, which has traditionally become the source for uncirculated examples of each years coins.

Another notable year for collectors occurred with the 1987 Kennedy Half Dollar, which was only produced for inclusion in US Mint Sets. This was similar to what had occurred in 1970, although heavier ordering makes the 1987 Kennedy Half Dollars worth less by comparison.

Proof Kennedy Half Dollars for the 1980′s are generally more abundant than other years and usually available in high grades. Later proof issues would eventually prove more valuable due to lower mintages.

Kennedy Half Dollars By Year

• 1980 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1981 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1982 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1983 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1984 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1985 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1986 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1987 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1988 Kennedy Half Dollar
• 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar