Kennedy Half Dollar Valued: Imagine finding a 50-cent coin worth $5.9 million in your change! In July 2025, a Boston mom named Tara found a 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar at a grocery store, valued at $5.9 million for its rare Special Mint Set (SMS) finish and double die error. Minted to honor President John F. Kennedy, this coin is one of a handful known, per usacoinbook.com. X users are buzzing about the find, though some doubt the huge price tag. Perfect for coin hunters or anyone with spare change, here’s why this 1964 half dollar is a big deal and how to spot one!
A Grocery Store Jackpot
Raksha Bandhan on August 9, 2025, is about sharing gifts, and Tara’s find feels like a festival miracle. She got this coin in change while buying milk, noticing its shiny, mirror-like look and doubled lettering. Graded SP68 by PCGS, it was a 1964 SMS coin with a double die obverse, valued at $5.9 million, per coinweek.com. The coin has Kennedy’s face on the front and the Presidential Seal on the back. X posts are urging folks to check change, making this a cool gift idea for siblings who love a treasure hunt.
Why It’s Worth Millions
The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was minted after JFK’s assassination, made of 90% silver, per usacoinbook.com. Most are worth $10–$20 for their silver, but SMS coins, struck with polished dies for collectors, are super rare, with maybe 12 known, per web:9. These have a satin finish and sharp details, with one sold for $156,000 in 2019. Tara’s coin, with a double die error (doubled text or face), pushed its value to $5.9 million, though some experts call that price hype, per web:17. X users call it a “numismatic unicorn” for its rarity.
|
Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Release Year |
1964 (90% silver) |
|
Special Type |
Special Mint Set (SMS), double die |
|
Value (Circulated) |
$10–$20 (silver melt value) |
|
Value (Uncirculated) |
$9,400–$5.9 million (SP68: $5.9M) |
|
Weight |
12.5 grams (90% silver) |
|
Key Feature |
Satin finish, sharp details |
How to Spot a Winner
Want to find a 1964 SMS Kennedy Half Dollar? Look for a 1964 date and a shiny, proof-like surface with crisp details, per coinweek.com. Check for a “D” (Denver) or no mint mark (Philadelphia) below Kennedy’s neck. Use a 10x loupe to spot doubled lettering or Kennedy’s features for a double die error. It should weigh 12.5 grams with a solid silver edge, not copper. Watch for fakes—some alter regular coins to mimic SMS, per web:8. X users suggest checking bank rolls or old jars. Don’t clean it—scratches kill its value! Get it graded by PCGS or NGC to confirm it’s real.
Where to Look for It
Over 430 million 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars were minted, but SMS coins are ultra-rare, per web:9. Tara’s find was in Boston, but others have popped up in bank rolls or estate sales, per web:2. Check coin shops, eBay, or Heritage Auctions, where an SMS coin sold for $108,000, per web:11. Bank rolls cost $10–$15 for 20 half dollars, per web:4. X posts say 2025 is hot for coin hunting, so look in vending machines or family collections. Verify with a coin expert to avoid scams.
Is It Really Worth $5.9 Million?
Tara’s $5.9 million coin fits its rarity, with only a few SMS coins known, per web:9. Regular 1964 halves are worth $10–$20, but proofs hit $9,400, and Accented Hair varieties reach $45,600, per web:9. The $5.9 million price is speculative, with no verified sale that high, per web:17. X users warn of fakes—check weight and finish carefully. Compared to a 1970-D half ($13,000), the SMS is rarer, per web:9. Even a circulated 1964 half could bring $10–$50, per usacoinbook.com. Get it appraised for real value!
Join the Treasure Hunt
The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar, worth $5.9 million for Tara’s SMS find, proves treasures hide in your change! This coin, with its satin finish and JFK legacy, is a collector’s prize. Look for a 1964 date, mirror-like shine, and 12.5-gram weight at coin shops or usacoinbook.com. Use a loupe, don’t clean it, and get it graded by PCGS. With fakes and hyped $5.9 million claims out there, be careful—your half dollar could be a million-dollar gem. Don’t wait—check your change and gift this rare coin to a sibling or keep it as a 2025 treasure!