US Half Dollars 1948 to Date
This page describes all types of the US Half Dollars minted from 1948 to date, and includes their specifics, mintage records, key dates, coin values (in AG-3, or G-4, and EF-40 conditions) and images of a few types (not all) that were recovered at various locations in the North-East USA.
FRANKLIN-LIBERTY BELL TYPE 1948-1963
The Benjamin Franklin half dollar and the Roosevelt dime were both designed by John R. Sinnock whose initials appear below the shoulder. The Liberty Bell is similar to that used by Sinnock on the 1926 Sesquicentennial commemorative half dollar modeled from a cketch by John Frederick Lewis.
The mint mark is located on the obverse above the bell.
Mint Mark Location Franklin Half Dollars
Specifications:
Diameter:
30.6 mm
Weight: 12.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .900 silver,
.100 copper
Quantity minted: 481,701,410
Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Designer: John R. Sinnock
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1848; EF-40: $7.00
• 1849S; EF-40: $12.00
Average coin values of other dates: EF-40 - $4.00
KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS 1964 to Date
Gilroy Roberts, former Chief Engraver of the Mint, designed the obverse of this coin. His stylized initials are on the truncation of the forceful bust of President John F. Kennedy. The reverse, which uses the presidential coat of arms for the motiv, is the work of Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro. A few of the pieces dated 1971D and 1977D were struck in silver clad by error.
The mint mark is located on the reverse under the branch on 1964-1967 half dollars, and on the obverse below the neck on half dollars 1968 to date.
1968 Mint Mark Location
Silver Coinage, 1964
Specifications:
Diameter:
30.6 mm
Weight: 12.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .900 silver,
.100 copper
Quantity minted: 437,410,974
Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Designers: Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro
Average coin values of other dates: MS-63 - $5.00
Silver Clad Coinage, 1965-1970
Specifications:
Diameter:
30.6 mm
Weight: 11.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: outer layers of .800 silver, .200 copper bonded to inner core of .209 silver, .791 copper
Quantity minted: 857,503,953
Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Designers: Gilroy Roberts and Frank gasparro
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1970D; Issued only in mint sets MS-63: $12.00
Average coin values of other dates: MS-63 - $1.85
Copper-Nickel Clad Coinage, 1971 to Date
Design was slightly modified several times between 1971 and 1995.
Specifications:
Diameter:
30.6 mm
Weight: 11.34 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: outer layers of copper-nickel (.750 copper, .250 nickel) bonded to inner core of pure copper
Quantity minted: 1,097,910,175
Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Designers: Gilroy Roberts and Frank gasparro
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1974D Double die obverse; MS-65: $155.00
• 1979S Clear S; Proof-65: $16.00
Average coin values of other dates: MS-65 - $1.25
Bicentennial Coinage Dated 1776-1976
The design shows Independence Hall in Philadelphia as the center device. The obverse was unchanged except for the dual dating 1776-1976. Bicentennial half dollars were the only coins struck during 1975 and 1976 and were used for general circulation as well as being included in proof and uncirculated sets.
Specifications:
Diameter:
30.6 mm
Edge: Reeded
• Silver clad:
Weight: 11.50 grams
Composition: outer layers of .800 silver, .200 copper bonded to inner core of .209 silver, .791 copper
• Copper-nickel clad:
Weight: 11.34 grams
Composition: outer layers of copper-nickel (.750 copper, .250 nickel) bonded to inner core of pure copper
Quantity minted: 543,933,692
Silver Proofs: pre-1965 standards
Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Designers: Gilroy Roberts and Seth Huntington
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1776-1976S Silver clad; MS-65: $6.00
Average coin values of other dates: MS-65 - $1.00
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Donate(Sources: Encyclopedia Of U.S. Coins by Mort Reed and The Official Red Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman.)
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