1972 Half Dollar Value Guide

The 1972 Half Dollar Value

Circulation coins remain consistent in value through the about-uncirculated grades. Separation happens in the mint-state grades, with the Denver version pulling away from the Philadelphia version.

The proof coins only have a San Francisco version. The proofs are valuable but not as valuable as the higher mint-state grades for the circulation coins.

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1972 half dollar with that grade, or no value information (or not enough) exists for it yet.

Additionally, all values are conservative estimates based on research. Please note all values are subject to change due to the market or circumstances unaccounted for during research and publication. We always recommend doing further research or consulting with a professional.

Melt Value

The 1972 half dollar’s melt value is approximately negligible. The melt value will fluctuate with the market.

Circulation Strike Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	1972 Half Dollar	1972-D Half Dollar
Good – G	$0.80	$0.80
Very Good – VG	$0.80	$0.80
Fine – F	$0.80	$0.80
Very Fine – VF	$0.80	$0.80
Extra Fine – XF	$0.80	$0.80
About Uncirculated – AU	$0.80-$0.87	$0.80-$0.87
Mint State – MS	$2-$1,300 (67)	$3-$1,500 (67+)

Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1972-S Proof Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60	$2
PR 61	$2
PR 62	$3
PR 63	$3
PR 64	$5
PR 65	$7
PR 66	$9
PR 67	$11
PR 68	$14
PR 69	$20
PR 70	N/A

Cameo (CA/CAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1972-S Cameo Proof Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 CA/CAM	$4
PR 61 CA/CAM	$4
PR 62 CA/CAM	$4
PR 63 CA/CAM	$5
PR 64 CA/CAM	$8
PR 65 CA/CAM	$10
PR 66 CA/CAM	$12
PR 67 CA/CAM	$17
PR 68 CA/CAM	$21
PR 69 CA/CAM	$47
PR 70 CA/CAM	N/A

Ultra/Deep Cameo (UC/DCAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1972-S Ultra/Deep Cameo Proof Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 61 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 62 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 63 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 64 UC/DCAM	$9
PR 65 UC/DCAM	$12
PR 66 UC/DCAM	$15
PR 67 UC/DCAM	$20
PR 68 UC/DCAM	$26
PR 69 UC/DCAM	$107
PR 70 UC/DCAM	N/A

What Makes A 1972 Half Dollar Valuable?

1972 half dollars derive value from strike type, error coins, die varieties, and a little from grading.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Grading does add value to a 1972 half dollar. However, this won’t happen until the later mint-state grades for the circulation version. The proof version starts at $2 and incrementally increases in value.

Either way, grading does play a factor, just not as much as with other coins.

Rarity

The Mint minted 1972 half dollars approximately 298,330,996 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1972: 153,180,000 minted in Philadelphia^4,9
• 1972-D: 141,890,000 minted in Denver^5,10
• 1972-S Proof: 3,260,996 minted in San Francisco^6,11

Because the 1972 half dollar has a mintage of over 298 million, this does not contribute to its overall rarity or value.

Mint Marks

Only Philadelphia and Denver produced 1972 half dollars for circulation.^1-2,4-5 They are identical in value until they get to the higher mint-state grades. Denver is worth more at that point, although not by much.

San Francisco only produced proof coins.^3,6 Generally, these are more valuable than most circulation grades. However, the higher mint-state grades are worth the most overall.

Strike Types

1972 half dollars have 2 strike types.^12-13 

The first is the circulation strike type. The Mint intended these coins for circulation. In other words, they intended people to use these coins in everyday transactions. 

Only Denver and Philadelphia minted these coins. The qualities of a circulation coin do not add to the 1972 half dollar’s value. The exception is the rarity of the higher mint-state grades.

The second is the proof strike type. The Mint did not intend these for circulation.

Only San Francisco minted these coins. The qualities of a proof coin do add to the 1972 half dollar’s value, especially if they’re cameo or ultra/deep cameo. However, many exist, which does detract from their rarity and overall value.

Design Variations

The 1972 half dollar has no design variations, which neither contribute to nor diminish its value.

Special Designations

The 1972 half dollar has no special designations. This does not contribute to nor take away from its value.

Error Coins

Two errors you’ll see for 1972 half dollars are the wrong cent planchet and clipped errors.¹⁵

Of the two, the wrong cent planchet error is the most valuable. This error regularly brings in thousands of dollars (if not more) for many coins, including the 1972 half dollar.

The clipped error adds a hundred or so dollars to a 1972 half dollar.

Die Varieties

2 varieties exist for the 1972 half dollar.^16-18

The first is the DDO (doubled-die obverse) variety for the Philadelphia version. This die variety adds value to your coin, tens or hundreds of dollars, depending on the grade.

The second is the “No FG” variety, which occurs only for Denver versions of the coin. This variety is far more valuable than the DDO variety, adding hundreds or thousands of dollars in value, depending on the grade.

Composition

The 1972 half dollar is a 75% copper coin. This does not add to its overall value.

However, even if it did, we recommend against melting it down. Coins are worth more intact than when melted down.

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1972 Half Dollar?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1972 half dollar (or any coin) and to get that value out of it is to have it professionally certified.

However, you can look for many elements to get you started in determining what coin you have.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Looking for what makes your 1972 half dollar a certain grade or not is both simple and complex. 

It’s simple because you’re only looking for so many signs, and, generally, you’re looking for things that add to the overall quality of the coin. These include fewer imperfections, sharper details, and a better luster.

However, the higher the potential grade, the more you have to carefully look over the coin, sometimes even with magnification, to make certain it is the one you have. So, it becomes more complex and exact in that sense.

Regardless, while you can get a good sense of the range of grades your coin could fall into, you’ll need a professional’s official certification to be certain.

Mint Marks

Look on the obverse side of your 1972 half dollar. Specifically, look just beneath President Kennedy’s neck. There, you’ll see one of a few options.

Option one is no letter. This indicates your half dollar came from Philadelphia.

Option two is a small “D.” This indicates your half dollar came from Denver.

Option three is a small “S.” This indicates your half dollar came from San Francisco and is a proof coin.

Strike Types

Circulation 1972 half dollars will show more signs of wear, imperfections, and less clear details. 

However, circulation coins must meet certain conditions, such as no signs of wear, to be considered for the mint-state grades.

Proof coins must meet these same conditions. They’re not graded as mint-state but instead on a proof scale from 60 to 70. Mint-state grades follow the same scale.

So, telling the difference comes down to a few factors. One is the luster. Often, proof coins will have a better luster than circulation coins. Another is the squared-off rims proof coins have that mint-state coins don’t have. Last, professionals can help with this as they know what to look for and what each detail means. 

Additionally, there are some factors you can use to identify whether your proof coin is cameo or ultra/deep cameo. Specifically, check if the devices are frosted and the field is mirrored. If they are, you likely have one or the other. The more frosting and mirroring, the more likely you have an ultra/deep cameo proof coin.

Design Variations

The 1972 half dollar has no design variations. 

Special Designations

The 1972 half dollar has no special designations. 

Error Coins

You can easily determine a wrong cent planchet error for your 1972 half dollar. Of course, 1972 half dollars should weigh a certain amount, be a certain size, look silvery, and contain the complete design. 

Wrong cent planchet errors will lack some or all of these features of a 1972 half dollar.

For example, if the Mint struck a 1972 half dollar design on a penny, it would be the wrong color, size, and weight, and have an incomplete design.

However, if it struck the design on a nickel, it would be the wrong size, and weight, and have an incomplete design, but it would be more or less the right color.

Either way, when you see a 1972 half dollar design on the wrong coin, you know you’ve got a valuable item on your hands.

Clipped errors are also easy to determine for 1972 half dollars or other coins. You only need to scan the coin’s rim. You’re looking for missing pieces, usually curved. These indicate a clipped error.

Die Varieties

Look at the date and “In God We Trust” on the obverse side of your 1972 half dollar.¹⁸ You’ll see doubling in these elements for a 1972 half dollar DDO variety.

Specifically, you’re looking for evidence of duplication, such as the outline of a second letter or number.

Look at the reverse side of your 1972 half dollar for the “No FG” variety.¹⁸ In short, look between the eagle’s lower left leg (your right) and its tail feathers.

An “FG” there indicates you don’t have this variety. No “FG” there indicates you have this variety.

However, be wary of fakes. As with all valuable coins, forgeries exist, and forgers are only getting better at what they do every year. 

Specifically, look for signs of removal or strange marks in that area. If you’re buying such a coin, check the certification. It never hurts to get a second opinion.

Additional Information About The 1972 Half Dollar

History

Little is notable about the 1972 half dollar’s history. It does have one of the largest mintings in the Kennedy half dollar series, and it has a noteworthy variety, the “No FG” variety. However, otherwise, it’s a relatively “quiet” coin in terms of its history. 

The Coin’s Obverse Side

The 1972 half dollar’s obverse features President John F. Kennedy’s left-facing profile. The words “Liberty” and “1972” circle around the rim, while “In God We Trust” are on either side of Kennedy’s neck. 

Should there be a mint mark, it is just between Kennedy’s neck and the year. A small “D” indicates Denver, and a small “S” indicates San Francisco. No mint mark means the coin came from Philadelphia. 

Additionally, an “S” indicates you have a proof coin since only San Francisco minted that type.

The initials of the obverse designer, Gilroy Roberts, are also visible at the base of Kennedy’s neck.

The Coin’s Reverse Side

The 1972 half dollar’s reverse side features a heraldic eagle filling almost all of the coin’s center. The eagle holds an olive branch in its right claw (your left) and a bundle of arrows in its left claw (your right). 

A striped shield rests over the eagle’s chest, and it holds a banner in its mouth. Clouds, stars, and rays extend above the eagle’s head and wings, and stars circle the eagle.

The banner bears the words “E Pluribus Unum,” which means “Out of many, one.” This is the United States motto.

Between the stars circling the eagle and the rim are the words “United States Of America” and “Half dollar.”

The initials of the reverse designer, Frank Gasparro, are also visible between the eagle’s left leg (your right) and its tail feathers.

Also, note that some versions of the Denver coin don’t have these initials. This is the “No FG” variety, which is quite valuable.

Sources

1972 Half Dollar Value Guide Sources