Contents:
- What Makes a 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Rare?
- The Design of the Coin and Its Meaning
- 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Content
- How Much Is a 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Worth?
- 1968 Half Dollar D
- 1968-S Proof Half Dollar
- 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar D Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
- 1968-S Repunched Proof Half Dollar
- 1968-D Off-Center Strike
- 1968 Half Dollar Struck on Quarter Planchet
- 1968-S Half Dollar Inverted Mint Mark
- Storing Your Coins
- Frequently Asked Questions
In 1965, the government decided to change the material of the half dollar to save on silver, using a special mix called "clad" which had a silver layer on the outside and a copper layer in the middle.
So, the coins from 1965 to 1970 were made with this 40% silver composition and it’s important to know to identify coins properly.
What Makes a 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Rare?
The 1968 50C is a special one because it was the first year since 1964 that the Denver Mint and the San Francisco Mint both produced these tokens for public use.
The Denver Mint made the coins for regular spending, and the San Francisco Mint made the pieces for collectors. Where is the mint mark on a 1968 Kennedy half dollar? On the front of the token, right under Kennedy's neck.
The Design of the Coin and Its Meaning
The front of the coin shows a picture of President Kennedy, a design by Gilroy Roberts, the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint at that time.
The reverse of the token was designed by Frank Gasparro. It features the Presidential Seal, which shows a bald eagle holding an olive branch and arrows.
Above the eagle, there are 13 stars, and a ring of stars surrounds the entire design. This design was chosen to honor the President quickly after he passed away, and his widow, Jacqueline Kennedy.
1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Content
The total weight of a 1968 Kennedy 50C is 11.5 grams.
Since the coin is 40% silver, you multiply the total weight by the percentage:
11.5 grams×0.40=4.6 grams of silver
So, how much silver is in a 1968 Kennedy half dollar? Therefore, the Actual Silver Weight (ASW) of a 1968 50C is 4.6 grams.
How Much Is a 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Worth?
Name | Approximate Value |
1968-D Half Dollar | $5 - $25+ |
1968-S Proof Half Dollar | $7 - $30+ |
1968-D DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) | $50 - $550+ |
1968-S "No S" Proof | $5,000+ |
1968-D Off-Center Strike | $90 - $1,100+ |
1968-S Struck on Quarter Planchet | $5,000+ |
1968-S Inverted Mint Mark | $700 - $2,500+ |
The 1968 half dollar value can change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual tokens.
1968 Half Dollar D
Most of these were used in circulation, so it is hard to find them in perfect condition.
Mintage: 246,951,930
Weight: 11.5 grams
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Composition: 40% silver, 60% copper
Auction Record Note: A very nice 1968-D 50C in MS-67 condition was sold on Heritage Auctions for about $850, showing the high potential value for top-graded ones.
Grade | Approximate Value |
Circulated | $5 - $6 |
$20 - $30 | |
Gem Uncirculated (MS-67) | $75 - $100+ |
The 1968 Kennedy half dollar value can change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual tokens.
1968-S Proof Half Dollar
These coins were sold in special sets and were not made for spending.
Mintage: 3,041,506
Weight: 11.5 grams
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Composition: 40% silver, 60% copper
Auction Record Note: A beautiful 1968-S Proof 50C in PR-68 condition with a Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation was sold on an eBay auction for about $50 in mid-2025.
Grade | Approximate Value |
Proof (PR-65) | $7 - $10 |
Proof (PR-67) | $15 - $25 |
Proof (PR-69) | $35+ |
The 1968 silver half dollar value can change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual tokens.
1968 Kennedy Half Dollar D Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
This type of the 1968 D Kennedy half dollar errors show the words and the date on the coin appear to be slightly fuzzy or doubled. The doubling is most clear in the words "IN GOD WE TRUST."
Mintage: Varies, very rare
Weight: 11.5 grams
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Composition: 40% silver, 60% copper
Auction Record Note: A 1968 half dollar coin value in MS-65 condition was determined on eBay for about $550 in late 2024.
Grade | Approximate Value |
Uncirculated (AU-58) | $50+ |
Gem Uncirculated (MS-65) | $500+ |
The 1968 D half dollar value can change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual tokens.
1968-S Repunched Proof Half Dollar
You would expect to see the filled "S" mint mark just above the date, but on these rare coins, it is not there.
Mintage: Very, very small, perhaps only a few dozen exist
Weight: 11.5 grams
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Composition: 40% silver, 60% copper
Auction Record Note: The Kennedy half dollar 1968 with repunched S proof error on a was sold for over $5,000 in a major coin auction in early 2025.
Grade | Approximate Value |
Proof (PR-65) | $5,000+ |
Proof (PR-67) | $10,000+ |
What makes a 1968 half dollar rare? Errors. Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual tokens.
1968-D Off-Center Strike
An off-center strike happens when the coin's blank disk is not placed correctly in the coining press. The value of this error depends on how far off-center the strike is.
Mintage: Varies, very rare
Weight: Varies depending on how much of the planchet was struck
Diameter: Varies, not a perfect circle
Composition: 40% silver, 60% copper
Auction Record Note: What is a 1968 half dollar worth? A 1968 JFK half dollar value with an 85% off-center strike was determined on eBay for over $1,000 in early 2025.
Grade | Approximate Value |
Minor Off-Center | $90+ |
Major Off-Center (50%+) | $1,100+ |
The 1968 half dollar silver content value can change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual tokens.
1968 Half Dollar Struck on Quarter Planchet
The result is a much smaller coin with a full 50C design, which is stretched and distorted. This coin would have a different weight and composition than a normal 50C, as it is struck on a copper-nickel clad quarter planchet.
Mintage: Very few are known to exist
Weight: 5.67 grams (weight of a quarter)
Diameter: 24.26 mm (diameter of a quarter)
Composition: Copper-nickel clad
Auction Record Note: How much is a 1968 silver half dollar worth today? A 1968-S Proof 50C struck on a quarter planchet, graded PR-67, was sold on a major auction platform for over $5,000 in mid-2024, being one of the most valuable Kennedy Half Dollar tokens.
Grade | Approximate Value |
Varies widely based on condition | $5,000+ |
The 1968 D Kennedy half dollar value can change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual tokens.
1968-S Half Dollar Inverted Mint Mark
This is different from a repunched mint mark, where the mint mark is hit more than once in the same place. On this error, the "S" is fully inverted, with the top and bottom loops of the "S" appearing switched.
Mintage: Varies, very rare
Weight: 11.5 grams
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Composition: 40% silver, 60% copper
Auction Record Note: An example of the 1968 Kennedy half dollar errors Inverted Mint Mark 50C graded PR-66 sold for about $795 on eBay in early 2025.
Grade | Approximate Value |
Proof (PR-66) | $700 - $1,000+ |
Proof (PR-67) | $1,200 - $1,500+ |
Proof (PR-68) | $2,500 - $3,000+ |
How much is a 1968 half dollar worth? Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual tokens.
Storing Your Coins
The best way to store a coin like the Kennedy half dollars is to keep it in a special holder.
You should never clean a coin, because this can ruin its surface and greatly reduce its value to collectors.
If you have a proof coin, which has a very shiny, mirror-like surface, you should be extra careful.
The best coin holders are made of a safe plastic and keep the coin away from air and moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are 1968 Half Dollars Worth More Than 50 Cents?
While they were not made of 90% pure silver like the coins from 1964, the 1968 50Cs were made with 40% silver. This means they have an "intrinsic" value based on the current price of silver, which is usually higher than 50 cents.
What is a "Proof" Coin and How is it Different from a Regular Coin?
A proof coin, like the 1968-S, is a special coin made for collectors. It is struck with polished dies and a high-pressure press to create a very shiny, mirror-like surface and sharp details. A regular coin, like the 1968-D, is made for circulation and has a matte finish and is not as detailed.
Where is the Mint Mark on a 1968 Half Dollar?
The mint mark on a 1968 50C is a small letter located on the front of the coin, just below the neck of President Kennedy and above the date. The "D" stands for the Denver Mint, and the "S" stands for the San Francisco Mint.
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