A 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar sold for a world record $108,000, making it the most expensive coin of its type, during a public auction of rare U.S. Coins held Thursday, April 25, 2019, by Heritage Auctions. The rare example of the rather common piece of pocket change is one of about a dozen special issues struck in 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper for special coin sets issued by the U.S. Mint during the mid-1960s.
The sale smashed the $47,000 previous world record price, set by Heritage Auctions in 2016. Both the seller and the winning bidder wish to remain anonymous at this time. Heritage Auctions presented the coin at an auction during the Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) Convention just outside of Chicago in Schaumburg, Illinois.
“This is the ‘king of Kennedy half dollars,'” said Todd Imhof, Vice President at Heritage Auctions. “It seems we were very successful in attracting all the right bidders to this modern rarity and collectors did not want to miss the opportunity to own one of the United States’ rarest Kennedy Half Dollars.”
Special mint set coins are characterized by a better-than-average strike, the result of higher-tonnage coin presses than those used for coins intended for general circulation. The example sold at auction on Thursday is valued for its rarity as well as its unique, satiny surface condition.
Charles (or anyone else at Coinweek),
Have any of you had the opportunity to personally see one of these dozen or so SMS 1964 Kennedy halves? Is it obvious there is something different about them? I ask because it’s pretty tough, just looking at photos. I’d like to think that seeing one “in the hand” would instantly reveal something.
I have one. Just found it in my collection. Always thought my 67 silver dollar was most value but seems this half dollar 1964 is worth more.
Yes sir I believe I have one, actually I know I have one. The exact weight all the way down to the red glow. I’m just stuck for how I’m going to auction. Probably need to get it appraised first. Fortunately enough I have an Eagle Eye, magnifying glass, and a scale.
Wait a second..
yep that’s it.
i May have one but not sure. The toning looks like the picture and under a bright light i see a vague hint of copper around the edge.
Highly unlikely to near-impossible. These were only relatively recently found to even exist, since 2000 at the longest. It is another one of those “Mint insider” things almost like aluminum 1974 cents. They aren’t randomly out there.
So the on I have look salmon color, and like it has fingerprints on it. Could it be one?
Should be mostly silver so can’t see copper
The color is blotchy with dark grey and lite silver on mine, but im still not sure. I owed at least a 100 1964 uncirculated and a few proofs but this one looks different from the others and appears to be uncirculated.
I have a 1969 Kennedy half dollar that’s 90 percent silver, and is also proof. Wondering what this could be worth. ?
Your 1969 half is worth about $2.18
It’s very doubtful but not impossible that your coin was somehow struck on a leftover 90% silver planchet rather than the 40% silver clad composition normally used that year. If you have a good scale you can do a preliminary test by checking the coin’s weight: a 90% silver half has a nominal weight of 12.5 gm while a 40% silver version would be approximately 11.5 gm. Also, the 90% silver coins have a uniform edge while the 40 silver coins developed a grayish tinge over time; however, that’s not as accurate a test as the coin’s weight.
If you think your coin is actually 90% silver you should have it examined by one of the major grading companies.
What makes you think it’s 90% silver? Just curious.
Recently procured a doubly die 1967 kennedy head half dollar want to know where I can sell it at in illinois
I may have found a Set where can I upload a picture so someone can tell me if this is it SMS 5 coins in plastic tight package 1964
The Public was eagerly buying and hording the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars, back in the day. Proof Sets, Uncirculated Sets, and General Production of Halves that were heavily circulated in those days. Yes, people carried and used half dollars.
You are saying that a dozen coins were struck with a higher tonnage of pressure. How is that possible and why was there no mention of this back then. All 1964 Kennedy halves were 90% silver. I can accept the “Accented Hair” from the possibility of fresh dies, but how does it happen that a dozen coins get stamped with additional tonnage on the press?
That does not make sense. This was not the middle ages, the mints had controls in place. Is it a Rarity or Fake or just one of a dozen MS70 coins with all the rest being sub par?
There were about a dozen SMS sets created, and there is NEARLY perfect knowledge where all pf them are. They didn’t “escape” waiting to found by sharp-eyed collectors. Sorry, this just isn’t that kind of thing.
They were getting ready for the SMS sets for 1965. Kinda simple thinkn.
I have a sms 1964 set given to.me when the bank he worked in closed. How do I tell what it’s value is?
Theses coins are uncirculated and look better than the rare one shown.
I think I have one of the coins that sold for 47,000. It has the grape hanging on the 4 and all the other stuff. I need help with some of these half dollars if you could. Thanks
Hello , I’m very new at this coin collecting and still learning . I have a Kennedy 1964 half dollar it’s very shiny the edge like silver so is this 90% silver ? I have also a 1776-1976 half dollar but it’s not as shiny it has copper edge.. they both in a very mint condition nice and clean .
How can I clearly Identify it? I have one with the Letter D marking the back side of the coin.
I have a 1964 set one Philadelphia and one Denver’s mint uncirculated
I have a 1964 half dollar with a original letter issued from Richard Bolling to a deceased family member, what’s it worth
I have a 1964 uncirculated Kennedy half dollar in a sealed plastic wrap. I see no copper coloring on the edge front or reverse. Is this one of them?
I have one exactly the same and is uncirculated thing is it has the mint mark of D so can someone tell me how much is it worth?
I have a 1964 coin sent to me as a teenager then how can I get it valued or know if it’s rade
JDVAL. HAVE TWO KENNEDY HALF DOLLAR, ONE IS THICKER THAN THE OTHER. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? ALSO, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TERMINED THE SILVER CONTENT.
I have a 1964 jfk silver half dollar and am quite sure it is an sms! Are all 12 already accounted for? Or are there any left to be discovered?
Comments here are hysterically funny! 1)Do your research! You’re at the right place peeps.
After Eva Adams death, her estate was purchased by Lester Merkin. When his coins arrived at Stacks Bowers during the early 90s, these discoveries were made and so the verifications began… 2)Coin Week has written articles since that time. So rather than the tooth fairy leaving the one odd piece from a five coin set of United States rarest modern coins, please do your homework here or reliable site of your choosing. Obviously these aren’t going to be in change. 3) If you want to see the die marks each and every one of the five coins in these rare sets have, enlarged pictures also exist. For those convinced their Kennedy’s number 4 has the right tear drop, you can match other die marks too, as few enough strikes made, the same die pair was used, with no discernable wear came from so few strikes. 4) Should go without saying these are going to be graded. Dont take the internets word for your SMS coins, or the professionals at Coin Week: leave it to NGC, PCGS, or your choice.
It’s no doubt been an intriguing story that’s fascinated collectors since Merkins “Eva Adams” coins came into public view.
Sweet dreams ……LOL.
I have a Kennedy 1964 half dollar, and not sure it has any value? I’ve read all the comments, and I’m wondering who I could communicate with to see if there’s any actual value? Also I have a half dollar that has a 1776 – 1976 date on it? Any idea why the different dates? Thanks.
I got 1964 Kennedy half dollar and look similar to rare coin with tear drop on bottom of #4 /side burn/stars look like with rare coin and FG marking
.
I know I have one then I’m going to be putting it up for auction it’s already been verified.
Ahh You and Eva Adams must have been extremely close.
I have a “Strange But True” with a “1964 First Silver 90% Silver Kennedy Half Dollar” at least that is what it says…..is it valuable? Also a “1971 First Copper Nickel Kennedy Half Dollar”. Is it valuable?
Just leaving an FYI:
ALL 1964 Kennedy Half dollars are 90% silver.
My coin has the danggleing 4 how much
I have multiple 1964 JFK half dollars that don’t weigh 12.5 grams how do I go about it
I have a 1964 Kennedy half dollar, was wondering what are like 3 things to look for to see if i have one super rare ones!!
My dad just gave me a 1964. Not sure if it’s worth anything.there isn’t a ment mark.its silver anyone know if it’s worth anything.
I have one with long grey dye mark going from top left to bottom right
I have a few 1964 JFK I believe is worth 47,000.00 who can you contact in Florida to verify your coins.
I have one too look at mine 1964 SMS Kennedy half dollor I don’t know where I can put pictures but if u guy want to c e mail me At [email protected]
I have a Kennedy 1964 half dollar. How much is it worth? And how can I redeem it.
Hey is anyone from Macomb Illinois on here
so the average 1964-d Kennedy half dollar weighing in at 12.5g is nothing to jump up and down about i guess :)
There is so much conversation about the SMS 1964 coins. I am exhausted in my search for answers.
The facts I know. The SMS coins are Philadelphia only, no mint marks. Not all have tear drop on the 4 in the date. As shown on many SMS proof photos. Philadelphia mint made 4 different the half dollar coin. This included 3 proof coins PR, CAM, DCAM and the SMS. The 3 proofs all have some mirroring affect. The field area appears smooth, glossy and some level of bright or mirroring under light. This is what makes thing so difficult determining which coin you have.
The SMS does not mirror at all. Yet it is not like flat paint. The coin punch sits deep in the coin causing the features of the coin to appear raised and more detailed. The details are very crisp and clear, each hair visible but not bright and not flat or reflective under light. It’s more like semi-gloss with no mirroring. The edge is so sharp, they look like stair steps that could cut you. Again, the coin details are very clear.
The business strike half dollars were all made in Denver and will have a D mint mark.
Some of the Philadelphia half dollars appear flat in tone but the details of the coin are more blurred like a business strike, not showing all the coin details.
The SMS coins are so few in numbers I suggest that you start with you don’t have an SMS coin then prove to yourself that you do have one.
1964 proof sets do exist, but there were No SMS proof sets. Reason there were no SMS sets is the coins were simply not available to make SMS set complete. The mint was forced to change its focus. They needed to output all the coinage the could for 1964 without specialty and prepare for the 1965 transition to decrease the use of silver. I could say more but I too have questions. If you have any more information or facts about the SMS coins, please share with me.