The 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar: A Relic of the Silver Era

If coins could talk, the 1967 Kennedy half dollar would tell the stories of the time of revolution of both cultural and compositional meanings that had made up America’s money long ago. The era of base metals in coinage was approaching, as long as silver was fading away. 1967 was one of the last years when numismatic creations adhered to the classic standards which were yet to change soon. 

Why do collectors consider the 1967 silver half dollars special? What does it look like? How to check coin value and decide if it is a worthy addition to your collection or not? Review the fate of these silver coins and learn more about their collector’s potential in our material.

Special Stories Behind the 1967 Half Dollar

The 1967 JFK half dollar may not be the most desirable coin ever minted in the US, but it is definitely one of the most indicative samples of the past. It is a numismatic reflection of what the country was meant to get through and which problems it might have faced. To be more precise, this coin commemorates the legacy of President John F. Kennedy as well as the end of an era for silver in American coinage. 

The trigger for such an initiative was tragic. In 1963, the beloved president was brutally assassinated, which is why the US Mint made a decision to renew the design of a half dollar and put the profile of President John F. Kennedy on its obverse (got finally released one year later, in 1964). 

At first, this iteration contained 90% silver. This was the reason why it was more of a collectible rather than a circulating coin from the very beginning. However, such an order of things was not favored by the government because of fraudulent activity and the rising silver rates. By 1967, the half dollar contained only 40% silver – one of the last US coins to do so.

Besides, so as to deter hoarding, the Mint completely removed mint marks from their 1965–1967 half dollars and eliminated Proof and Mint Sets to replace them with Special Mint Sets (SMSs), which were different from the standard proofs anyway. To make it even more effective, there was omitted the word "Liberty", which typically appears on all US coins one way or another. Let us discuss the rest of the features.

What About Composition and Design? 

In 1967, the design of the half dollar was still the same. The obverse, designed by Gilroy Roberts, features a left-facing portrait of Kennedy, along with the inscriptions "LIBERTY" above his head, "IN GOD WE TRUST" split on either side of his neck, and the date "1967" below. 

The reverse, on its part, was created by Frank Gasparro and it displays the Presidential Seal, with a heraldic eagle holding arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by a ring of stars. Besides, there could be seen the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "HALF DOLLAR". 

Note: The instances minted in 1967 do not have mint marks at all.

*The US Mint released Special Mint Sets with a smoother, satin-like finish instead of conventional Proof coins. These were not as detailed as genuine Proof coins, but the higher quality was still guaranteed. 

Briefly About Mintage Figures

The situation with coin production in 1967 was quite peculiar. Due to widespread hoarding and a national coin deficit, the US Mint implemented several measures to stabilize circulation. One such action involved the elimination of mint marks from all coins made between 1965 and 1967. Because of this, the half dollar 1967 was produced without a mint mark, which made it hard to tell if a coin was minted in San Francisco, Denver, or Philadelphia.

In terms of production numbers, the 1967 50C may boast substantial numbers:

• Regular Circulation Coins: 295,046,978 pieces

• Special Mint Set Coins: 1,863,344 pieces

1967 Kennedy Half Dollar Errors That Define the Coin’s Worth 

There are a few major error types that may occur during the minting process. Despite the fact that this piece was made in enormous quantities, instances with noticeable flaws are of great interest these days. The most significant errors that can raise the 1967 half dollar value are as follows.

1. Doubled Die Obverse/Reverse (DDO or DDR): This type of error occurs when the obverse/reverse die is mispositioned during production,  which duplicates important details as a result. 

2. Clipped Planchet: When a coin is struck on a planchet that was not cut correctly, there might appear missing or curved areas on the edge. More dramatic clips tend to gain more money, as a rule.

3. Off-Center Strikes: One of the most popular (and yet valuable) errors is the off-center strike, which means that the design is moved out of the center. The extent of the "off-centeredness" defines the 1967 Kennedy half dollar value (with higher percents meaning higher rates).

4. Missing Letters or Weak Strikes: Weak strikes have been found on several 1967 50C coins with certain features (the text in particular) seeming partially absent or pale.

5. Improperly Annealed Planchets (Toning Errors): Some of these coins may exhibit strange color variations (either black, copper-like, or reddish) because of the problems with the annealing process.

How Much Is a 1967 Half Dollar Worth? 

The worth of a coin is generally comprised of several aspects, e.g., condition/grade, finish, rarity, and demand. Although most circulated coins are valued primarily for their silver content (the current silver rate is $32.44 per ounce), high-grade and special varieties may be worth even more. 

Prices are subject to market fluctuations, grading quality, and demand. For an accurate valuation, consider professional numismatic tools like Coin ID Scanner that may identify, assess, and evaluate coins with the use of photos in an instant. 

The JFK 50C coins can become a great addition to any collection, for they comprise historical value, financial appeal, and cultural significance simultaneously. However, it is vital to know which items to obtain and which ones to avoid. 

As always, for the most accurate valuation, it is recommended to seek professional grading services or at least support from digital tools. Make your collection a thriving assemblage to pass on.

Sources: 

1. https://kids.usmint.gov/about-the-mint/half-dollar 

2. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1967-50c-sms-qdo-fs-101-dcam/391388