Have you ever wondered if that old 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar sitting in your coin jar could be worth more than just 50 cents? Well, you just might be right! In previous years, certain varieties of the 1967 half dollar have been sold for eye-popping prices, like an MS69 50C coin that sold for a whopping $31,200!
However, not all 1967 half dollars are worth this much; most circulated coins sell for just $5 to $20. So, how would you know if your 50-cent coin is a hidden gem? In this guide, I’ll break down exactly what makes a 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar valuable, including its condition, errors, or special finish!
History of 1967 Kennedy Silver Half Dollar Coin
The 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar is part of the Kennedy coin series, which started in 1964, less than a year after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, as a tribute. While the original Kennedy Dollar was made of silver, the coin had changed its composition by 1967.
The 1967 issue marked the third year of the reduced silver content in Kennedy Half Dollar. This change was a response to the increasing value of silver. However, despite the reduction in silver content, the 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar remained a popular coin.
| 1967 Half Dollar | Key Features & Facts |
| Coin Composition | 40% Silver, 60% Copper |
| Minting Location | Philadelphia |
| Minting Year | 1967 |
| Face Value | 50 Cents (0.50$) |
| Weight | 11.50 grams |
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Thickness | 2.15 mm |
| Designer | Gilroy Roberts, Frank Gasparro |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark – Philadelphia Mint |
| Total Mintage | 295,046,978 (Regular Strike) 1,800,000 (Special Strike) |
Understanding 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar Design & Composition
To accurately spot a real 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar among many old coins, you must observe its designs on both sides and understand its composition and dimensions.
1967 Half Dollar Obverse:
- Portrait of President John F Kennedy facing left
- The word “LIBERTY” along the top edge
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” motto to the left of Kennedy’s neck
- Date “1967” below Kennedy’s neck
- The designer’s initials “GR” on the truncation of Kennedy’s neck
1967 Half Dollar Reverse:
- Presidential Seal at the center
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the top edge
- “HALF DOLLAR” along the bottom edge
- “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above the eagle
- 50 stars surrounding the design
1967 Half Dollar Composition and Dimensions:
The 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar is composed of an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper, bonded to an inner core of 79% copper and 21% silver. This results in an overall composition of 40% silver and 60% copper, a deviation from the original Kennedy Half Dollar’s 90% silver content.
Although reduced, the 40% silver content makes the coin more valuable than its face value. This composition also changed the half-dollar coin’s original weight of 12.50 grams to 11.5 grams and gave it a distinctive silver color.
As for its size, the 1967 half dollar has a diameter of 30.6 mm (1.205 inches) and a thickness of 2.15 mm (0.085 inches) with a reeded edge.
How Much Is a 1967 Silver Half Dollar Worth? (5 Value Factors)
Generally, a 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar in circulated condition is worth its silver melt value, typically around $3-$4, but uncirculated coins can fetch from $5 to several hundred dollars, with some rare coins reaching up to $5,000, depending on factors like grades and errors.
Let’s understand the most important factors that impact the 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar coin value!
1. Coin Grading and Condition
A 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar coin in excellent condition, without severe wear and tear, is worth more than the coin with faded details, especially the lettering, digits, and Kennedy’s cameo and luster.
While you can manually assess your coin’s condition, Professional grading services use a scale from PO1 to MS70, with MS70 being a mint, new-like coin. 1967 Half Dollar graded MS67 are generally worth $700 to $1,000, with higher-grade coins fetching up to $4,000 to $5,000!
2. Mint Marks & Mintage
The mintage of a coin directly impacts its value; the lower the mintage, the rarer and more valuable the coin! The total mintage for the 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar was 295,046,978, and all coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
All the Philadelphia-minted 1967 half-dollar coins have no mint mark. This issue was the last one to bear no mint mark among the succeeding Kennedy halves.
In uncirculated conditions, 1967 no-mint-mark half dollars can be worth $5 to $15, with coins in flawless condition reaching $50 or more. To find your coin’s average value, refer to this detailed 1967 Half-Dollar value chart based on coin grades.
| Coin Grades | Condition Details | 1967 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value |
| Poor (0) to Extremely Fine (XF45) | Significant wear, faded but visible details | $1 – $5 |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU50) to Mint State (MS60) | Slight wear on highest points, visible marks or blemishes | $5 – $10 |
| Mint State (MS61 – MS64) | Uncirculated with minimal wear | $10 – $30 |
| Mint State (MS65 – MS66+) | Nearly flawless with very minor imperfections | $20 – $400 |
| Mint State (MS67 – MS67+) | Well-preserved with no major flaws | $750 – $4,500 |
| Mint State (MS68 or Above) | Nearly perfect, luster, no major marks or flaws | $5,000 or more |
3. 1967 Silver Half Dollar SMS (Special Strike)
In addition to the regular strike, the United States Mint also produced Special Strike 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar coins at the Philadelphia Mint for collectors. 1967 SMS half dollars are distinguished by their mirror-like fields and contrasting frosted design elements.
Depending on the contrast, the SMS coins are designated under three categories:
- SMS: These 1967 SMS half dollar coins have a uniform appearance across the coin. These coins range from $5 to $20 for common grades, with MS67 or higher examples fetching $100 to $700 or more.
- Cameo (CAM): These SMS coins feature more contrast between the mirrored fields and frosted devices. They’re worth $20 to $50 in most grades, but the highest-grade coins, like MS69 or more, can be worth up to $3,000 to $5,000, like this example that sold for almost $4,000 on eBay!
- Deep Cameo or Ultra Cameo (DCAM): 1967 SMS half dollars with the strongest contrast between the background and the design are graded DCAM. They can be worth $50 to $500, with the highest grades coins fetching up to $15,000 to $30,000, like this MS69 Ultra Cameo coin that sold for an auction record price of $31,200 on Heritage Auctions!
I’ve prepared this price chart to easily assess your 1967 Half Dollar SMS coin based on grading and strikes.
| Coin Grades | Regular SMS | Cameo (CA or CAM) | Deep Cameo (DCAM) |
| MS65 (or SP65) | $5 – $15 | $10 – $25 | $50 – $150 |
| MS66 (or SP66) | $15 – $30 | $20 – $60 | $100 – $400 |
| MS67 (or SP67) | $40 – $110 | $70 – $170 | $300 – $900 |
| MS68 (or SP68) | $100 – $300 | $200 – $450 | $1,700 – $5,000 |
| MS69 (or SP69) | $200 – $700 | $3,000 – $4,000 | $12,000 – $31,000 |
| MS70 (or SP70) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
4. 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar Errors & Varieties
A mint error is an anomaly that occurs to a single coin or a set of coins during the minting process. These errors can significantly increase a coin’s value. For 1967 Half Dollars, you must look out for the following mint errors:
Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
This error occurs when the die receives multiple impressions during its creation and projects the doubled image to the 1967 half dollar. To identify a DDO error, look for doubling on lettering in words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”, the mint date, and Kennedy’s features.
Depending on the coin’s condition and visibility of the doubled design, these coins can range from $100 to $2,000 or more. For example, an MS63 DDO 1967 50C coin sold for around $140, while an MS64 example sold for over $2,110 on Heritage Auctions!
Defective Obverse Layer
As the name suggests, this mint error caused the obverse layer of a 1967 half dollar to be defective or cracking. An AU58-graded example of this rare coin sold for $200 on eBay.
1967 SMS Half Dollar Quintuple Die Obverse
This is a notable mint error characterized by multiple images appearing on a 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar SMS coin due to a misalignment during the striking process. However, while some collectors claim quintupled (five) images, others claim sextupled (six) images on this error coin.
The value of this rare coin ranges from $100 to $400, depending on coin gradings. For example, an SP66-graded Quintuple Die Obverse coin sold for $345 in a coin auction, while an MS67-graded coin sold for just over $132 on Stack’s Bowers!
Wrong Planchet Error
This rare mint error happens when a 1967 half dollar coin is struck on a different planchet. Collectors have claimed to have come across rare half dollar wrong planchet coins, such as one struck on the quarter planchet or a thin planchet. An AU58 example of a thin planchet coin sold for around $100 on Heritage Auctions!
Missing Clad Layer
This error coin happens when the outer silver layer fails to bond properly to the core during production. It is easily spotted with its reduced total weight and missing silvery gray color. Depending on the coin’s condition, a 1967 half-dollar with a missing clad layer can be worth $50 – $200.
In addition to the errors listed above, look out for other common half-dollar errors, such as clipped planchet errors, re-punched mint marks, die breaks, and struck-through errors. They can also boost your 1967 half dollar coin’s worth.
5 Steps to Spot a Fake 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar
- Verify the Composition: The 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar is made of a copper-nickel-clad composition and should not be magnetic. If the coin reacts to a magnet, it is likely a counterfeit.
- Check the Weight: A genuine 1967 Half Dollar should weigh approximately 11.50 grams. Use a precise scale to weigh the coin. A significant difference means the coin’s fake.
- Inspect the Diameter & Thickness: Use calipers or a ruler to measure the coin. Any discrepancies in diameter of 30.61 mm and a thickness of 2.15 mm indicate a fake.
- Check the Edge: The edge of the 1967 half dollar has a distinct reeded pattern. Counterfeits may have smooth or poorly defined edges. Use a magnifying glass to closely inspect the edge.
- Inspect for Mint Marks: Remember, the 1967 Kennedy halves have no mint mark. If a coin bears an S or D mint mark, it’s fake.
As we saw above, the 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar is more than just a piece of change; it’s a collectible coin with high potential value. Whether you have a coin with unique mint errors or a rare Special Mint Set specimen, understanding its features with this value guide will help you determine its worth!
If you’re looking for other collectible silver dollars and half dollars, look out for the iconic 1972 half dollar, 1776-1976 half dollar, 1923 silver dollar, and 1972 silver dollar. These coins are known for their sky-high values in the coin collecting world!
