1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Value Guide

The 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Value

1968 Kennedy half dollars remain somewhat comparable in value between the circulation- and proof-strike versions. Higher mint-state grades for the circulation version will far outreach the proof ones in value, though.

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1968 Kennedy 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 1968 Kennedy half dollar’s melt value is approximately $3. The melt value will fluctuate with the market.

Circulation Strike Value Chart

1968-D Kennedy Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
Good – G	$4
Very Good – VG	$4
Fine – F	$4
Very Fine – VF	$4
Extra Fine – XF	$4
About Uncirculated – AU	$4-$4
Mint State – MS	$6-$4,900 (67+)

Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1968-S Proof Kennedy Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60	$4
PR 61	$4
PR 62	$5
PR 63	$7
PR 64	$8
PR 65	$10
PR 66	$13
PR 67	$18
PR 68	$27
PR 69	$50
PR 70	N/A

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

1968-S Cameo Proof Kennedy Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 CA/CAM	N/A
PR 61 CA/CAM	$6
PR 62 CA/CAM	$7
PR 63 CA/CAM	$8
PR 64 CA/CAM	$10
PR 65 CA/CAM	$15
PR 66 CA/CAM	$19
PR 67 CA/CAM	$23
PR 68 CA/CAM	$36
PR 69 CA/CAM	$92
PR 70 CA/CAM	N/A

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

1968-S Ultra/Deep Cameo Proof Kennedy 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	$12
PR 64 UC/DCAM	$14
PR 65 UC/DCAM	$21
PR 66 UC/DCAM	$30
PR 67 UC/DCAM	$39
PR 68 UC/DCAM	$77
PR 69 UC/DCAM	$282
PR 70 UC/DCAM	N/A

What Makes A 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Valuable?

Several elements make 1968 Kennedy half dollars valuable. These include grading, strike type (which also ties into minting location), error coins, and die varieties.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Grading does play a part in a 1968 Kennedy half dollar’s value.

For circulation coins, you won’t see increases in value until the mint-state grades. As you get into the higher mint-state grades, you’ll see substantial increases in value. This will even be to the point that the value overtakes the value of proof coins.

You’ll see increases at most proof-coin grades, although they’re minimal to moderate.

Rarity

The Mint minted the 1968 Kennedy half dollar approximately 249,993,436 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1968-D: 246,951,930 minted in Denver^2,3
• 1968-S Proof: 3,041,506 minted in San Francisco^4,5

This overall lack of rarity does not add to the coin’s value. However, Kennedy half dollars remain popular nonetheless. 

Mint Marks

The U.S. Mint minted 1968 Kennedy half dollars in Denver and San Francisco.

Of the two versions, San Francisco is generally more valuable since this version is a proof coin. See the “Strike Types” section below for more information on the exceptions to this rule.

Strike Types

The 1968 Kennedy half dollar has two strike types: circulation and proof.^9,10

Generally, proof coins are worth more than circulation coins. However, a couple of exceptions exist here. 

One is that some lower-graded proof coins are actually identical in value to circulation coins.

Another is that the higher mint-state circulation coins are worth significantly more than any grade of proof coin due to their higher rarity.

Design Variations

The 1968 Kennedy half dollar has no design variations. This coincides with other Kennedy half dollars also not having design variations.

Special Designations

The 1968 Kennedy half dollar has no special designations. This coincides with other Kennedy half dollars also not having special designations.

Error Coins 

1968 Kennedy half dollars have several errors that make them more valuable. These errors include but are not limited to:¹¹

• Struck-through errors
• Clamshell errors
• Wrong-cent planchet errors

Of these errors, wrong-cent planchet errors are the most valuable by far. They increase a 1968 Kennedy half dollar’s value by thousands of dollars.

Clamshell and struck-through errors are comparable in terms of the value they provide, equating to about 50 to 100 dollars in value.

Die Varieties

3 die variety groups exist for the 1968 Kennedy half dollar: doubled-die obverse, doubled-die reverse, and inverted mint mark.^12-14 

All three tend to add value to this coin. This aligns with most die varieties adding value to a coin since they add a unique element or two to the coin in some way.^12-14 

Composition

The 1968 Kennedy half dollar is a 40% silver and 60% copper coin. Silver coins do tend to be more popular. 

We do recommend against melting any coin down for its melt value. They’re typically worth more intact than melted down. However, melt values do fluctuate with the market.

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1968 Kennedy 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

The more shine and fewer imperfections and signs of wear a 1968 Kennedy half dollar has, the more likely it is to be a higher grade.

Mint Marks

Look on the obverse side (the front) of your 1968 Kennedy half dollar for the mint mark. It will be below President Kennedy’s neck.

A “D” means it’s from Denver.

An “S” means it’s from San Francisco.

There are no 1968 Kennedy half dollars lacking a mint mark. If you see one, it’s likely a fake. However, it’s still worth it to have a professional certify it. It could be a rare error coin or die variety. 

Additionally, sometimes forgeries remain popular with collectors.

Strike Types

Look for a reflective finish, clearer details, and an overall better quality coin to determine if you have a proof-strike 1968 Kennedy half dollar. They will also have squared-off rims. 

Cameo proof 1968 Kennedy half dollars will have a contrast between the mirrored field and frosted design elements. Ultra/deep cameo proof coins deepen this contrast.

Circulation-strike coins won’t have the reflective finish but may have other qualities that put them on par with proof coins, such as level of detail.

Design Variations

The 1968 Kennedy half dollar has no design variations.

Special Designations

The 1968 Kennedy half dollar has no special designations.

Error Coins

Struck-through errors are relatively easy to determine because you’re looking for evidence of something struck through onto the coin. This error happens when something gets between the die striking the planchet and the planchet (the plain metal disk that becomes the coin). 

For example, a struck-through error could show evidence of striking through cloth. 

Clamshell errors are also relatively easy to determine because your coin will quite literally resemble a clamshell. The coin will actually split along the edge.¹⁵

Wrong-cent planchet errors are also easy to determine because your coin will have been struck on a planchet intended for a different denomination. 

For example, a 1968 Kennedy half dollar might’ve been struck on a quarter. So, it would be smaller and weigh less. The design would also likely be partially cut off.

Die Varieties

A doubled-die obverse 1968 Kennedy half dollar shows doubling on the coin’s front side. This can include lettering or other design elements. 

A doubled-die reverse 1968 Kennedy half dollar shows the same on the coin’s reverse side.

Doubling is quite literally what it sounds like. For example, the letter “S” will have a second outline.

An inverted mint mark 1968 Kennedy half dollar is an interesting die variety. The San Francisco Mint punched the “S” mint mark upside-down on some proof coins. So, the little “S” loop that should be on top is now on the bottom. The large “S” loop that should be on the bottom is now on top.

Additional Information About The 1968 Kennedy Half Dollar

History

Kennedy half dollars came into existence in 1964 after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Kennedy was an extremely popular president and the half dollars proved to be the same. 

Kennedy half dollars were so popular, in fact, that almost none even entered circulation. People hoarded them instead. This forced the Mint to make even more Kennedy half dollars, which started depleting the Mint’s stock of silver.

The Kennedy half dollars started with a composition of mostly silver, then lost much of that silver from 1965 to 1970, after which the Mint removed all silver from the coin. It removed the silver from other coins as well. 

So, 1968 Kennedy half dollars were one of the last years to feature any silver. 

Additionally, 1968 was the first year the Mint struck proof half dollars after replacing them with special mint sets from 1965 to 1967. This coincided with the return of mint marks.

^{Sources: 9-10,16}

The Coin’s Obverse Side

The 1968 Kennedy half dollar’s obverse side features President John F. Kennedy’s profile facing left. His profile fills the majority of this side of the coin.

The word “Liberty” curves around much of the coin’s rim in stretched-apart letters. 

The words “In God We Trust” sit on either side of Kennedy’s lower neck. 

The mint mark “D” sits just below his neck. This is also where the “S” mint mark sites for the proof coin minted in San Francisco.

The year 1968 sits just below the mint mark. It curves around the bottom rim in stretched-apart letters.

^{Sources: 1-2,4-5}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

The 1968 Kennedy half dollar’s reverse side features a heraldic eagle in the coin’s center. It holds an olive branch in one claw and a bundle of arrows in the other. 

It holds a banner in its mouth with the words “E Pluribus Unum” across it. These words are Latin for “Out of many, one,” which is the United States motto. 

A cloud, rays, and stars are above the eagle’s head. Stars also circle the eagle. 

The words “United States Of America” curve around the upper part of the coin, while the words “Half Dollar” curve around the lower.

^{Sources: 1-2}

Sources

1968 Kennedy Half Dollar Value Guide Sources