1966 Half Dollar Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?
The 1966 half dollar is a coin worth more than its face value because of its silver content. These coins were minted over 4o years ago, and they still have value as silver bullion.
Did you recently find a 1966 half dollar laying around your house, or in your coin stash, and you’re wondering what it’s worth?
Then it’s time for some exploring, as this article will explain every detail and feature of the 1966 half dollar, and if yours is worth a fortune or not.
1966 Half Dollar Details
The 1966 half dollar has a face value of $0.50 and a total weight of 11.5 grams. The Kennedy half dollar was introduced in honor of President John Fitzgerald after he was assassinated.
Kennedy dollars minted in 1966, don’t have a mint mark and no other series were produced for 1966.
A total of 108,984,932 Kennedy half dollars was minted in Philadelphia, and they obviously have no mint mark. However, the special mint set was produced in San Francisco, with a total of 2,261,583, which is more valuable than the regular circulation strikes.
The silver melt value of this coin is $3.48, so even in a worn-out condition, it’s worth its silver weight.
1966 Half Dollar Value Chart
| Mint | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1966 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value | $7.11 | $7.11 | $7.11 | $87 |
| 1966 Special Mint Set Half-Dollar Value | $9.00 | $9.00 | $11.00 | $30 |
1966 No Mint Mark Kennedy Half Dollar
Philadelphia mint produced 108,984,932 instances of 1966 half dollar, and as it’s the norm with coins minted in Philadelphia, there’s no mint mark.
Due to the large number of coins minted, the 1966 – P half dollar is not considered a rare coin, and it doesn’t have much value beyond its silver melt value.
Because these coins have been in circulation for more than four decades, most of them are worn out and damaged already. So, there’s little to no chance of finding a 1966 half dollar in mint state. The few 1966 half dollars that might still be in premium condition are in the hands of coin collectors and certain individuals who hoarded them as soon as the coins were produced.
Due to the hoarding of these coins, the U.S. mint tried to implement the production of regular coins with no mint mark to reduce the coin’s appeal. All coins produced between 1964 and 1970 didn’t have mint marks, making it extremely difficult for coin collectors to know the actual worth of a coin.
However, this method failed, as the 1966 half dollar was still hoarded by the general public.
For this reason, the few 1966 half dollar coins that made it into circulation, were quickly damaged because of their silver composition as well.
1966 half dollars in mint state, can command a price as high as $20,000, while those in fine condition will be worth around $7.11. if you are looking to get a sizeable amount from selling your 1966 half dollar, it has to be in the highest grade.
In 2016, the 1966 – half dollar was sold at $9,987 in a public auction.
1966 Special Mint Set Half Dollar Value
Special mint sets are more valuable than regular strike coins but have lesser value than proof coins. These coins were minted in San Francisco, and they are made of 40% silver and 60% copper.
The production of the SMS coins was a result of coin shortage in 1965, and the U.S. mint decided to specially produce these unique sets so that coin collectors could stop hoarding coins.
You’d expect that since they were minted in San Francisco, they’ll have a mint mark, however, they didn’t.
None of the 2,261,583 special mint set coins produced in San Francisco had a mint mark, and this was done to prevent collectors from buying the coins too quickly.
The silver content of these mint sets and the regular strike coins in Philadelphia are the same, and the only differentiating factor is their shiny appearance. Mint sets have a lustre and shiny appearance to their finish, making them more desirable to collectors.
But here’s a twist; the mint sets have lesser appeal than proof coins. and this resulted in coin collectors not placing so much value on it.
Yes, it was specially made for collectors, but they tagged it inferior because it wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as proof coins.
In MS60 grade, you can buy the entire set collection for about $30, which is quite a poor value considering the effort that was put into the mintage.
SMS coins graded MS66 are worth about $1200, but it’s extremely rare to find coins in this state.
History of the 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar
Following the assassination of President John Fitzgerald in 1963, the Kennedy half dollar was introduced to commemorate his existence.
There was a meeting to produce a new coin that’ll monumentalize him, and a debate as to which coin will be used in exchange for the launch of the new Kennedy coin.
In 1964, the new Franklin design was replaced, and a portrait of Kennedy with a subtle smile was put on the observe side of the Kennedy half dollar coin.
The reverse side of the coin features a bald eagle holding olive leaves and arrows in both hands. The observe side of the coin was designed by Gilroy Roberts, while the reverse side was done by Frank Gasparro.
This coin was a success, however, that soon became a problem as many Americans were hoarding it because of its silver content.
All efforts by the U.S. mint to battle the shortage of half dollars in circulation proved futile, and in 1971, the mintage of coins using silver stopped completely.
1966 Kennedy Half Dollar Grading
Most of the 1966 half dollar coins today are in good condition, and that’s because they were uncirculated. Knowing the worth of your 1966 half dollar is important, so you don’t sell it for less than it’s worth.
Remember that even in poor condition, it’ll still be worth more than its face value, due to the silver content in it.
The four important terminologies when grading a coin is; Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, and Uncirculated. So, the price of your coin will depend on what category it falls into.
If there are a few missing important details (date, letters) on your 1966 coin, it’ll most likely be graded Good or Fine.
When you see a coin that’s in uncirculated condition, you can tell immediately, because they usually have a full lustre.
If you need to learn more about grading your 1966 half dollar, watch this detailed video.
Rare 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar Error Lists
The errors associated with the 1966 half dollar have helped increase its worth even more. During the production of the 1966 half dollars, some errors occurred and these error coins were of interest to collectors, due to their rarity.
Some of the common error coins of the 1966 half dollar include;
1. 1966 Half Dollar Double Die Error
This error occurred in the minting process of the 1966 half dollar when the coin already engraved was struck with a die again. It resulted in a double image on the coin, and thereby increased its value.
The gravity of the double die error varies, and the coin’s worth increases based on the intensity.
With the 1966 half dollar, this error can be quite noticeable, as the lettering and design becomes more prominent and visible. This error is usually very visible to the naked eye, and it’s rare to find this error in higher grades of the 1966 half dollar. 1966 half dollar coins with this error can be sold for about $800 to $1000 depending on the coin’s condition.
2. 1966 Half Dollar “Upside Down” Die Error
This error is quite a popular one, hence it’s sold for about $400 in public auctions. The upside-down error happens the two dies used for striking the coin aren’t correctly aligned with the planchet. The resulting coin will have a design that rotated towards the edge. It’s usually characterized by the observe/reverse side being rotated from a few degrees to 180 degrees. The error happens during the minting process, and it’s a result of different factors like human error and wrong handling of the dies.
There are many fake and altered versions of the 1966 rotated die error on the market, so you might want to be careful if you intend on buying a piece to add to your coin collection.
3. 1966 Half Dollar Struck Through Error
Usually, during the minting process, the die and planchet are both supposed to be 100% clean, so nothing interferes with the design of the coin.
However, it’s impossible to be overly careful all the time, and as a result, the struck-through error is a common mistake you find in almost every series of coins.
When a foreign object or debris gets trapped in between the die and planchet, the resulting coin will have a feature that wasn’t intended. Sometimes, a design element is usually distorted or missing even, and this error can affect any part of the coin, including the rim.
This error can take on any form, ranging from a small dent to a large void; it all depends on the culprit.
The most expensive 1966 half dollar with this error was sold for $2500 at an auction.
4. 1966 Half Dollar Straight Clip Error
This error only happens when a blank or partially filled planchet is wrongly put into the coin press, and the resulting coin comes out with a clipped-off blank.
The error coin is usually smaller in size and comes with a straight edge where the missing portion of the blank is supposed to be. This error can affect the rim, observe or reverse side of the coin, and they are worth about $90 at auctions. The price of a 1966 half dollar with the straight clip error will vary based on the condition of the coin.
To learn more about 1966 half dollar error coins that are worth a sizeable amount, watch the video below.
1966 Kennedy Half Dollar FAQs
1. What Is The Total Number Of 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar Coins Minted?
The total number of 1966 half dollar coins produced by the U.S mint in 1966 is 111,246,515, with 108,984,932 minted in Philadelphia, and 2,261,583 minted in San Francisco.
2. Is The 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar A Silver Coin?
Yes, it is. The 1966 half dollar contains 40% silver, and you can check this by looking out for a silver stripe around the edges.
3. Is The 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar Still A Legal Tender In The U.S.?
Yes, it can still be used as a currency in the U.S. However, it might be more valuable to you as a collectible than a currency to be spent.
4. What’s The Worth Of A 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar?
The value of a 1966 half dollar will depend on its condition. In circulated condition, it’s worth about $7, and in mint uncirculated state, its value can command up to $80.
5. Is The 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar Considered A Rare Coin?
The 1966 Kennedy half dollar isn’t considered a rare coin, because it was minted in over 200 million instances. But, due to it being hoarded by collectors, very few were released into circulation, thereby making it a rare coin.
6. Where Can I Buy A 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar?
You can buy a 1966 half dollar from reputable online sites that deal in coin exchange. When purchasing a coin, be sure to verify its authenticity and condition, so you know you are paying for the real deal.
Conclusion
The 1966 half dollar is not a rare coin as it was produced in over two hundred million instances. Its silver content plays a major role in the value, as you’ll need to attach its worth to the silver in it, regardless of the condition. But coins graded in premium condition can be worth thousands of dollars; although rare to find.
The value of a 1966 half dollar varies, but it’s considered an affordable coin to collectors and coin enthusiasts.
