The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is one of the most emotionally significant coins in American history. Struck in the immediate aftermath of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, it was rushed into production and released to a grieving public in March 1964. Americans hoarded them as keepsakes, meaning many 1964 halves never circulated at all — and that's great news for today's collectors and sellers.
At 90% silver, the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar has built-in intrinsic value. But depending on grade, variety, and condition, your coin could be worth considerably more than its silver content alone. This guide covers everything you need to know.
| Grade | Description | Philadelphia (No MM) | Denver (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, outline visible | $12–$14 | $12–$14 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | Moderate wear, major details clear | $13–$16 | $13–$16 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $15–$18 | $15–$18 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Trace wear, most luster | $18–$22 | $18–$22 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated, many bag marks | $20–$28 | $20–$28 |
| MS-63 | Uncirculated, average eye appeal | $25–$40 | $28–$42 |
| MS-64 | Uncirculated, above average | $35–$55 | $38–$60 |
| MS-65 | Gem uncirculated | $60–$120 | $70–$140 |
| MS-66 | Premium gem | $150–$300 | $200–$400 |
| MS-67+ | Superb gem | $500–$2,000+ | $600–$3,000+ |
Values reflect current market prices as of early 2025. The silver content (0.3617 troy oz per coin) forms the baseline value, which moves with silver spot prices.
🔍 See Recent 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar Sales on eBayThe 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was the last year this denomination was struck in 90% silver. From 1965–1970, the composition changed to 40% silver (clad), and from 1971 onward, halves contain no silver at all. This makes the 1964 date particularly important.
Each 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar contains 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver. With silver around $27–$30 per troy ounce, that's a base melt value of roughly $9.75–$10.85. In practice, dealers pay at or slightly above melt for circulated examples, while collectors pay premiums for higher-grade pieces.
One of the most significant varieties in the Kennedy half dollar series is the 1964 Accented Hair. On standard 1964 halves, Kennedy's hair above the ear appears slightly smooth. On the Accented Hair variety, the hair strands are more pronounced and detailed — it's actually the original design as submitted by Gilroy Roberts, the coin's designer.
Jacqueline Kennedy reportedly requested modifications to make the hair less "too strong" in appearance, resulting in the standard issue. The Accented Hair coins were struck early in 1964 before the modification was implemented, making them scarcer than regular issues.
The Philadelphia Mint struck 3,950,762 proof Kennedy Half Dollars in 1964 — an enormous number, reflecting the public's desire to own a proof version of this historically significant coin. Proof coins were sold in sets at a small premium over face value.
| Grade | Standard Proof | Accented Hair Proof |
|---|---|---|
| PR-60 | $15–$20 | $30–$50 |
| PR-63 | $18–$25 | $45–$75 |
| PR-65 | $25–$45 | $150–$350 |
| PR-67 | $60–$120 | $400–$900 |
| PR-68+ | $150–$400+ | $1,000–$3,000+ |
The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was released on March 24, 1964, just four months after President Kennedy's assassination. The public's response was immediate and overwhelming — people lined up at banks, coin shops disappeared of stock, and the coins rarely circulated. The Treasury and US Mint struck an unprecedented 430+ million pieces across both Philadelphia and Denver to meet demand, yet coins remained scarce in circulation throughout 1964.
Philadelphia struck 273,304,004 coins and Denver struck 156,205,446 — combined, this was the largest half dollar production since the Barber era. The hoarding behavior means that a disproportionate number of 1964 Kennedys survived in uncirculated condition, which is why so many MS-63 and MS-64 examples exist today.
The obverse features Gilroy Roberts' left-facing portrait of President Kennedy with "LIBERTY" at the top, the date at the bottom, and "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the left side. The mint mark (D for Denver, or no mark for Philadelphia) appears on the obverse near the truncation of Kennedy's neck — below the portrait on the left side.
The reverse was designed by Frank Gasparro and features the Presidential Seal: an eagle with wings spread, holding a shield on its breast, an olive branch in its right talon, and arrows in its left. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" runs along the top and "HALF DOLLAR" along the bottom, with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on a banner above the eagle.
Kennedy's hair detail: The hair above the ear and at the temple shows wear first. In circulated coins, these areas flatten. In uncirculated examples, look for sharp hair strands all the way to the edge of the design.
Cheekbones: Kennedy's cheekbone area is another high point that wears quickly. Rubbing here indicates at least EF or lower grade.
Eagle's breast and wing feathers: On the reverse, the eagle's breast and primary wing feathers define grade in higher circulated coins. MS coins should show crisp, complete feather detail.
For common circulated examples, the 1964 Kennedy half is essentially a silver play — you're tracking silver prices more than numismatic appreciation. However, superb gem examples (MS-67+) and the Accented Hair variety have shown consistent long-term appreciation, as truly flawless examples are scarcer than mintage figures suggest.
For long-term collectors, a properly graded MS-66 or MS-67 example or a certified Accented Hair variety offers more upside than a raw circulated coin. The coin's emotional resonance with American history also maintains steady collector demand across generations.
eBay's completed listings are your best real-time market reference. For slabbed (PCGS/NGC graded) examples, Heritage Auctions and Stack's Bowers are top options for high-grade pieces. Local coin dealers typically pay 70–80% of retail for common examples, more for certified coins.
🛒 Shop 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars MS65+ on eBayThe 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is a coin every American collector should own. Its 90% silver content gives it real intrinsic value, and its historical connection to JFK ensures enduring collector interest. Circulated examples are worth $12–$18 in silver. Uncirculated gems start around $60 and can reach $2,000+ in superb grades. Always check for the Accented Hair variety — it could turn a $60 coin into a $300+ piece.