The United States Mint began minting the new Kennedy half-dollar in January of 1964. Production of circulating coin began on January 30th at the Denver mint and about a week later at the Philadelphia mint. Due to the rising price of silver, the composition of the Kennedy half-dollar was changed from 90 percent silver to 40 percent silver in 1965, and in 1971 silver was eliminated altogether with a copper-nickel clad alloy. In an effort to thwart the speculators and investors, coins dated 1964 were also made in 1965 in 1966. This was allowed by an act of Congress passed on September 3, 1964, at the request of the Treasury Department.
Beginning in 1965 and lasting through 1967, the United States was experiencing a coin shortage. This was due to the rising price of silver that made coins more valuable for their silver content than for their face value. This led to people removing the silver coins from circulation and saving or melting them for their silver value. Unfortunately, the Treasury Department blamed coin collectors for the coin shortage. In an effort to try to curb people from removing the coins from circulation, the United States Mint removed all mint marks from coins made between 1965 and 1967. Additionally, Proof sets were not made during these three years. However, they did make Special Mint Sets for coin collectors, but they were not the same quality as Proof coins.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Congress authorized the production of a circulating commemorative coin that included the Kennedy half-dollar. In anticipation of extreme demand by the public, the mint did not strike any quarters, half-dollars or dollar coins dated 1975. Kennedy half-dollars minted in 1975 bear the dual date 1776–1976. Special collector edition coins were struck on 40 percent silver-clad planchets in both business strike and proof finishes.
Kennedy Half-Dollar Mintages
The following table lists mint production numbers for the number of Kennedy Half-Dollar produced at each mint facility. Where possible, production numbers by strike type are noted.
Year | Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Notes |
1964 | Philadelphia | 273,304,004 | Struck in 1964: 87,448,004 In 1965: 144,182,000 In 1966: 41,674,000 | |
1964 Proof | Philadelphia | 3,950,762 | ||
1964 SMS | Philadelphia | 1 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection | |
1964 | Denver | D | 156,205,446 | Struck in 1964:114,411,608 In 1965: 41,793,838 |
1964 SMS | Denver | D | 1 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
40% Silver Clad Composition | ||||
1965 | Philadelphia | 65,879,366 | ||
1965 SMS | Philadelphia | 2,360,000 | Issued only in Special Mint Sets; All coins struck from 1965 to 1967 do not have mint marks. Although it is possible that coins were struck at all three operating mints, mintmarks were removed in an effort to try and stop the hoarding of coins. | |
1966 | Philadelphia | 108,984,932 | ||
1966 SMS | Philadelphia | 2,261,583 | Issued only in Special Mint Sets; All coins struck from 1965 to 1967 do not have mint marks. Although it is possible that coins were struck at all three operating mints, mintmarks were removed in an effort to try and stop the hoarding of coins. | |
1967 | Philadelphia | 295,046,978 | ||
1967 SMS | Philadelphia | 1,863,344 | Issued only in Special Mint Sets; All coins struck from 1965 to 1967 do not have mint marks. Although it is possible that coins were struck at all three operating mints, mintmarks were removed in an effort to try and stop the hoarding of coins. | |
1968 | Denver | D | 246,951,930 | |
1968 SMS | Denver | D | 2 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
1968 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,041,506 | |
1969 | Denver | D | 129,881,800 | |
1969 SMS | Denver | D | 2 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
1969 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,934,731 | |
1970 | Denver | D | 2,150,000 | Issued only in Mint Sets |
1970 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,632,810 | |
Copper-Nickel Clad Composition | ||||
1971 | Philadelphia | 155,164,000 | ||
1971 SMS | Philadelphia | 2 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection | |
1971 | Denver | D | 302,097,424 | |
1971 SMS | Denver | D | 2 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
1971 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,220,733 | |
1972 | Philadelphia | 153,180,000 | ||
1972 SMS | Philadelphia | 1 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection | |
1972 | Denver | D | 141,890,000 | |
1972 SMS | Denver | D | 1 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
1972 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,260,996 | |
Year | Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Notes |
1973 | Philadelphia | 64,964,000 | ||
1973 | Denver | D | 83,171,400 | |
1973 SMS | Denver | D | 2 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
1973 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,760,339 | |
1974 | Philadelphia | 201,596,000 | ||
1974 | Denver | D | 79,066,300 | |
1974 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,612,568 | |
Bicentennial Design | ||||
1976 | Philadelphia | 234,308,000 | ||
1976 | Denver | D | 287,565,248 | |
1976 SMS | Denver | D | 2 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
1976 Proof | San Francisco | S | 7,059,099 | |
1976 Proof | San Francisco | 4 | No Mint mark Only 4 known | |
1976 | San Francisco | S | 11,000,000 | |
1976 Proof | San Francisco | S | 4,000,000 | |
Regular Design Resumed | ||||
1977 | Philadelphia | 43,598,000 | ||
1977 | Denver | D | 31,449,106 | |
1977 SMS | Denver | D | 1 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
1977 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,251,152 | |
1978 | Philadelphia | 14,350,000 | ||
1978 | Denver | D | 13,765,799 | |
1978 SMS | Denver | D | 2 | Unique to The National Numismatic Collection |
1978 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,127,781 | |
1979 | Philadelphia | 68,312,000 | ||
1979 | Denver | D | 15,815,422 | |
1979 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,677,175 | |
Year | Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Notes |
1980 | Philadelphia | P | 44,134,000 | |
1980 | Denver | D | 33,456,449 | |
1980 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,554,806 | |
1981 | Philadelphia | P | 29,544,000 | |
1981 | Denver | D | 27,839,533 | |
1981 Proof | San Francisco | S | 4,063,083 | |
1982 | Philadelphia | P | 10,819,000 | |
1982 | Denver | D | 13,140,102 | |
1982 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,857,479 | |
1983 | Philadelphia | P | 34,139,000 | |
1983 | Denver | D | 32,472,244 | |
1983 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,279,126 | |
1984 | Philadelphia | P | 26,029,000 | |
1984 | Denver | D | 26,262,158 | |
1984 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,065,110 | |
1985 | Philadelphia | P | 18,706,962 | |
1985 | Denver | D | 19,814,034 | |
1985 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,362,821 | |
1986 | Philadelphia | P | 13,107,633 | |
1986 | Denver | D | 15,336,145 | |
1986 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,010,497 | |
1987 | Philadelphia | P | 2,890,758 | |
1987 | Denver | D | 2,890,758 | |
1987 Proof | San Francisco | S | 4,227,728 | |
1988 | Philadelphia | P | 13,626,000 | |
1988 | Denver | D | 12,000,096 | |
1988 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,262,948 | |
1989 | Philadelphia | P | 24,542,000 | |
1989 | Denver | D | 23,000,216 | |
1989 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,220,194 | |
Year | Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Notes |
1990 | Philadelphia | P | 22,278,000 | |
1990 | Denver | D | 20,096,242 | |
1990 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,299,559 | |
1991 | Philadelphia | P | 14,874,000 | |
1991 | Denver | D | 15,054,678 | |
1991 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,867,787 | |
1992 | Philadelphia | P | 17,628,000 | |
1992 | Denver | D | 17,000,106 | |
1992 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,858,981 | |
1992 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,317,579 | 90% Silver |
1993 | Philadelphia | P | 15,510,000 | |
1993 | Denver | D | 15,000,006 | |
1993 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,633,439 | |
1993 Proof | San Francisco | S | 761,353 | 90% Silver |
1994 | Philadelphia | P | 23,718,000 | |
1994 | Denver | D | 23,828,110 | |
1994 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,484,594 | |
1994 Proof | San Francisco | S | 785,329 | 90% Silver |
1995 | Philadelphia | P | 26,496,000 | |
1995 | Denver | D | 26,288,000 | |
1995 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,117,496 | |
1995 Proof | San Francisco | S | 679,985 | 90% Silver |
1996 | Philadelphia | P | 24,442,000 | |
1996 | Denver | D | 24,744,000 | |
1996 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,750,244 | |
1996 Proof | San Francisco | S | 775,021 | 90% Silver |
1997 | Philadelphia | P | 20,882,000 | |
1997 | Denver | D | 19,876,000 | |
1997 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,055,000 | |
1997 Proof | San Francisco | S | 741,678 | 90% Silver |
1998 | Philadelphia | P | 15,646,000 | |
1998 | Denver | D | 15,064,000 | |
1998 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,086,507 | |
1998 Proof | San Francisco | S | 878,792 | 90% Silver |
1998 Proof | San Francisco | S | 62,350 | Matte Proof Finish SMS Issued only in Kennedy Commem. Set |
1999 | Philadelphia | P | 8,900,000 | |
1999 | Denver | D | 10,682,000 | |
1999 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,543,401 | |
1999 Proof | San Francisco | S | 804,565 | 90% Silver |
Year | Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Notes |
2000 | Philadelphia | P | 22,600,000 | |
2000 | Denver | D | 19,466,000 | |
2000 Proof | San Francisco | S | 3,082,483 | |
2000 Proof | San Francisco | S | 965,421 | 90% Silver |
2001 | Philadelphia | P | 21,200,000 | |
2001 | Denver | D | 19,504,000 | |
2001 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,294,909 | |
2001 Proof | San Francisco | S | 889,697 | 90% Silver |
2002 | Philadelphia | P | 3,100,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2002 | Denver | D | 2,500,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2002 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,319,766 | |
2002 Proof | San Francisco | S | 892,229 | 90% Silver |
2003 | Philadelphia | P | 2,500,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2003 | Denver | D | 2,500,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2003 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,172,684 | |
2003 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,125,755 | 90% Silver |
2004 | Philadelphia | P | 2,900,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2004 | Denver | D | 2,900,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2004 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,789,488 | |
2004 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,175,934 | 90% Silver |
2005 | Philadelphia | P | 3,800,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2005 SMS | Philadelphia | P | 1,141,895 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2005 | Denver | D | 3,500,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2005 SMS | Denver | D | 1,141,895 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2005 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,275,000 | |
2005 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,069,679 | 90% Silver |
2006 | Philadelphia | P | 2,400,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2006 SMS | Philadelphia | P | 915,586 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2006 | Denver | D | 2,000,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2006 SMS | Denver | D | 915,586 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2006 Proof | San Francisco | S | 2,000,428 | |
2006 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,054,008 | 90% Silver |
2007 | Philadelphia | P | 2,400,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2007 SMS | Philadelphia | P | 895,628 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2007 | Denver | D | 2,400,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2007 SMS | Denver | D | 895,628 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2007 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,384,797 | |
2007 Proof | San Francisco | S | 875,050 | 90% Silver |
2008 | Philadelphia | P | 1,700,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2008 SMS | Philadelphia | P | 745,464 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2008 | Denver | D | 1,700,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2008 SMS | Denver | D | 745,464 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2008 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,377,424 | |
2008 Proof | San Francisco | S | 620,684 | 90% Silver |
2009 | Philadelphia | P | 1,900,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2009 SMS | Philadelphia | P | 774,844 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2009 SMS | Denver | D | 774,844 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2009 | Denver | D | 1,900,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2009 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,477,967 | |
2009 Proof | San Francisco | S | 694,406 | 90% Silver |
Year | Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Notes |
2010 | Philadelphia | P | 1,700,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2010 SMS | Philadelphia | P | 583,912 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2010 | Denver | D | 1,800,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2010 SMS | Denver | D | 583,912 | Issued only in Mint Sets; Satin finish |
2010 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,103,950 | |
2010 Proof | San Francisco | S | 585,414 | 90% Silver |
2011 | Philadelphia | P | 1,700,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2011 | Denver | D | 1,750,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2011 Proof | San Francisco | S | 1,098,835 | |
2011 Proof | San Francisco | S | 574,175 | 90% Silver |
2012 | Philadelphia | P | 1,800,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2012 | Denver | D | 1,700,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2012 Proof | San Francisco | S | 841,972 | |
2012 Proof | San Francisco | S | 395,443 | 90% Silver |
2013 | Philadelphia | P | 5,000,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2013 | Denver | D | 4,600,000 | None issued for general circulation |
2013 Proof | San Francisco | S | 821,031 | |
2013 Proof | San Francisco | S | 451,342 | 90% Silver |
2014 | Philadelphia | P | 2,500,000 | |
2014 | Philadelphia | P | - | High Relief |
2014 Proof | Philadelphia | P | 219,173 | 90% Silver |
2014 | Denver | D | 2,100,000 | |
2014 | Denver | D | - | High Relief |
2014 | Denver | D | 219,173 | 90% Silver |
2014 | San Francisco | S | 219,173 | Silver Enhanced Uncirculated |
2014 Proof | San Francisco | S | 767,977 | |
2014 | San Francisco | S | 472,107 | 90% Silver |
2014 Proof | West Point | W | 219,173 | 90% Silver, Reverse Proof |
2014 | West Point | W | 73,772 | 50th Anniversary Gold |
2015 | Philadelphia | P | 2,300,000 | |
2015 | Denver | D | 2,300,000 | |
2015 Proof | San Francisco | S | 711,952 | |
2015 Proof | San Francisco | S | 387,460 | 90% Silver |
2016 | Philadelphia | P | 2,100,000 | |
2016 | Denver | D | 2,100,000 | |
2016 Proof | San Francisco | S | 621,774 | |
2016 Proof | San Francisco | S | 406,330 | 90% silver |
2017 | Philadelphia | P | 1,800,000 | |
2017 | Denver | D | 2,900,000 | |
2017 Proof | San Francisco | S | 621,390 | |
2017 Proof | San Francisco | S | 406,986 | 90% Silver |
2017 EH | San Francisco | S | 210,419 | 90% Silver; Only available in 225th anniversary sets |
Sources
- Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins; Walter Breen; Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (May 1, 1988); ISBN-10: 0385142072; ISBN-13: 978-0385142076
- The Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties, 5th Edition, Volume II; Fivaz, Bill and J.T. Stanton; Publisher: Whitman Publishing, Atlanta (2011); ISBN-10: 0794832393; ISBN-13: 978-0794832391
- A Guide Book of Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars, 2nd Edition Edition; Tomaska, Rick; Whitman Publishing; 2 edition (February 7, 2012); ISBN-10: 0794836666; ISBN-13: 978-0794836665
- The Kennedy Half Dollar Book: An Attribution and Pricing Guide; Wiles, James, Ph.D.; Series: CONECA attribution series; Stanton Printing & Publishing; Savannah, GA; 1998; ISBN-10: 1892706008; ISBN-13: 978-1892706003