1998 Kennedy Half Dollar Value: Hidden Rarities and Error Coins Worth Money

In this series, 1998 plays an important role. Despite the fact that the circulation was lower than in the previous year, these copies may be rarer. 

And to correctly identify rare coins, find out their value and features, read this page further.

1998 Half Dollar Value By Variety

This year, the coin was minted at three U.S. mints. The coins, intended for wide circulation, were produced at the Philadelphia and Denver mints. However, for collectors, the coins are proof, minted at the San Francisco Mint.

Key Differences Between “P”, “D”, and “S” Mint Marks

The 1998 half dollar P mint mark is from Philadelphia. The letter can usually be found just below the portrait of President Kennedy. In 1998, the most copies were produced in this mint.

The letter "D" is placed instead of "P" if the coin is from Denver. There was a smaller circulation here, so it was even more difficult to find a valuable copy.

The letter "S" indicates the coinage at the San Francisco Mint. And the main feature of this type of coin is that all of them in San Francisco were minted by proof. 

1998 Half Dollar Value Chart

If you want to know the price of your copy, first of all find out its condition. In numismatics, it is measured by the Sheldon grading scale for US/world coins.

In addition to coins from Philadelphia and Denver, this year there are also coins from San Francisco. Similar releases are sold in sets in different variations.

Most Valuable 1998 Half Dollar Chart

In general, there are really rare specimens among such coins. It is difficult to find good quality among a small number of copies. However, there is something even rarer with different features and bugs that will bring great half dollar 1998 value.

It is also important to note here that if you certify your coin with PCGS or NGC Registry grading services, then its price may become significantly higher. 

They will pack your copy not only in a special protective case, preserving the quality, but also confirming its significance. And this is appreciated in the market.

History of the 1998 Half Dollar

This series began with the 1964 Half Dollar coin. Just a few weeks after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. 

It was released in his honor and quickly became a symbol of the nation. The design was created by Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro.

“In 1998, a special “matte finish” Kennedy half dollar was issued as part of the two-coin “Kennedy Collectors Set”, paired with a commemorative silver dollar honoring Robert F. Kennedy. Between 62,000 and 64,000 1998-S, matte finish coins were issued, making it the lowest mintage of the series.”
– unnamed Kennedy half dollar page 
Wikipedia website

This issue is so unique because by 1998, such coins had become rare. Most people didn't use them all the time. Therefore, most of them were produced for collectors.

Is Your 1998 Half Dollar Rare?

1998 P Half Dollar

Philadelphia coins usually do not have a mint mark. But not this issue. There is a letter "P" here. The circulation wasn't that big this year. Accordingly, it is quite difficult to find a good copy, but from this comes the 1998 Kennedy half dollar value.

1998 D Half Dollar

Coins from Denver with the letter "D" have also been in wide circulation from a not so large circulation. So it's also difficult to find the 1998 half dollar coin value here.

1998 D Proof Like Half Dollar

The Denver Mint did not issue such coins in 1998. They were minted only in San Francisco. Therefore, if a coin with the letter "D" looks very shiny, then it can either be in very good condition or a fake. 

However, there is a quality of SP. It is minted for ordinary circulation, but its edges have a mirror sheen, very similar to that of real proof coins.

1998 S Silver Proof DCAM Half Dollar

Some of the coins from San Francisco were made of 90% silver and included in special "Prestige" or "Silver Proof" sets. The DCAM model has a strong contrast between matte elements and mirror fields.

1998 S Proof DCAM Half Dollar

Copper-nickel coins were also issued from San Francisco. They also have DCAM. Despite the fact that silver coins are more common, they are also very popular.

Key Features of the 1998 Half Dollar

The Obverse of the 1998 Half Dollar

• A detailed portrait of President Kennedy.

•  "LIBERTY" above his head.

• Date: "1998" is below the portrait.

• "IN GOD WE TRUST" is along the lower left and right rim, split by Kennedy's neck.

• Mint Mark is located below the neck, above the date. 

The Reverse of the 1998 Half Dollar

• An eagle clutching an olive branch in his right talon and thirteen arrows in his left.

• A shield with vertical stripes and ring of thirteen stars encircles the eagle.

• "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "HALF DOLLAR" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM".

Rare 1998 Half Dollar Error List

1998-P Double Die Obverse Error

When the coinage hits the planchet more than once with a slight offset between strokes, this error occurs. The design becomes doubled.

1998-D Off-Center Strike Errors

This happens when the tablet is not perfectly centered when receiving the stamp. As a result, the design shifts.

1998-S Clipped Planchet Errors

This error occurs when part of the metal blank is missing before the coin has been minted. This usually happens when a stamping machine pinches off a piece from the edge of the metal strip from which the slats are cut.

1998 Half Dollar Market Trend

Overall, the market remains stable for this release. It fluctuates a bit, but it's very normal for numismatics and investing in general. 

In 1998, there was no sudden jump in total value by half a dollar. A steady upward trend is usually observed in coins of high and superior quality, as well as rare errors.

If we look at the trend from 1998 to 2025, then the cost is slightly increasing.  For example, a coin that cost $5 in a 65-gram equivalent in 2005 can now cost $8-10. 

As for the trial coins, especially those made of high-grade silver, their growth is more noticeable. This is all due to the rise in silver prices.

FAQ

Related Coin Value Guides

• 1884-S Morgan Coin Value
• 2018 Quarter Coin Value 
• 1921 Last Morgan Coin Value
• 1994 Washington Quarter Coin Value
• 1963 Half Dollar Coin Value
• 1942 Half Dollar Coin Value