The 1974 half-dollar value depends on the coins' condition, rarity, errors, and min mark. The NGC has a price guide that grades coins from the lowest quality to the highest quality available and their prices.
The Kennedy half dollars are very popular because they honor the 35th president after his assassination in 1963. The US mints changed the metallic composition of the Kennedy half dollars three times from 90% silver to 40% silver and, finally, the nickel-copper alloy.
We will discuss the 1974 Kennedy errors, the mint marks on the 1974 half dollars, and how they affect its value.
1974 Half Dollar Value
The NGC is known worldwide for the services they offer in coin grading. According to their price guide, the 1974 Kennedy half a dollar is worth $0.60 and $0.75. For half a dollar in an excellent uncirculated condition, you can pay as much as $325 as of February 2023.
Different Types of the 1974 Half Dollars and Their Values
The main factors determining the 1974 half-dollar value are the coins' condition, their rarity, and the mint mark. In this section, we'll discuss the value of the 1974 half-dollar depending on the listed factors.
- 1974 half dollar with no mint mark. Before 1979, all coins minted in the Philadelphia mint had no mint marks. In 1974, Philadelphia struck 201,596,000 no-mint mark coins. You should expect an Ungraded 1974 Kennedy dollar for $0.50, but an MS 65 NGC-graded coin has a value of $10 and MS66 at $65. The most valued coin has an MS 67 grade and a value of $3,290.
- 1974 “D” Mint Mark Half Dollar Value. In 1974, The Denver mint struck 64,625,000 half dollars, which all have a “D” mark on the obverse. Most samples of the coins in poor condition are only worth their face value, but those in good condition, like MS 65, have a value of $60, and MS 66 value at $ 75. Coins in a Mint State (MS67) are rare, and their prices range from $ 200 to $ 300.
- 1974 “S” Mint Mark Half Dollar Value. The San Francisco mint produced around 201 Million half dollars in 1974. All these coins were proofs, meaning they had a polished surface and a very high quality. In other terms, the Cameo, Deep Cameo, and CAM coins. The polished surface acts like a protective layer that does not wear out, so they have a very high value. A PR 65 grade has a value of $5.70, and a PR 67 DCAM is valued at $7,900.
1974 Kennedy Half Dollar Value Chart
Here is a simplified value chart for the 1974 d mint mark and no mint mark half dollars
Type Of Coin
Mintage
MS 65
MS 66
MS 67
MS 68
MS 69
1974 “D” Mark
79066300
$60
$75
$200-$300
–
–
1974 No Mint Mark
201596000
@10
$65
–
$8,000
–
1974 Half-Dollar Errors
Errors may occur during minting, and the resulting coins are unique, rare, and have a higher value than the regular struck coins. The most common 1974 half-dollar errors are:
a. The Double Die Obverse error. Hubbing causes a slight movement of the die, which causes the strikes to hit in slightly different places, generating a doubling effect. For instance, in the word “LIBERTY,” there’s a doubling of the letters R and T. The value of a DDO error coin in MS 63 state is $40, for MS 65 is $200, and $450 for MS66.
b. Off-center strike. It happens when the die hits a misplaced planchet and creates a crescent-like shape if the off-center is large.
c. 1974 Half Dollar with a Taiwan Planchet. A mint has a variety of planchets, from different denominations to others from foreign countries. The Philadelphia mint struck a 1974 half-dollar from a Taiwan Planchet. It's scarce, and even though it's graded as AU, its value is $430.
d. The Broad struck error. The 1974 half dollar has a reeded edge designed from the mint using either an inclusion machine or a three-pc collar to design it. However, if the machine or collar detaches from the coin early, the coin may flatten and stretch, resulting in a broad strike error. The value of this coin in an MS 60 grade is $125.
The Kennedy Half-Dollar History
The US Mint struck Kennedy half dollars in his honor following his assassination in 1963. Frank Gasparro and Gilroy Roberts designed the Kennedy half dollars. They urgently needed to develop a design, so they used the presidential medal they had initially designed for President Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy requested that the Kennedy half dollars should replace the Franklin halves.
Initially, the mints used 90% silver and 10% copper to produce the Kennedy half dollars. But with time, there was a shortage of Silver, and also, these coins had a very high demand such that the mints could no longer meet the demand. The mints resulted in producing coins from a copper-nickel alloy.
1974 Half Dollar Features
The obverse side features President Kennedy facing left and the words “LIBERTY” over his head. “IN GOD WE TRUST” is slightly below his neck, and at the base of the coin is the year “1974”. You may also notice that some coins will have the mint mark.
On the reverse side, designed by Frank Gasparro, you'll notice an eagle in the middle, inspired by the President's seal. On the left, the eagle's claw holds an olive branch and some arrows on the right side. There is also a banner with the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” There are 50 stars surrounding the eagle, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the top of the coin and “HALF DOLLAR” on the bottom.
It has reeded edges and contains 75% copper and 25% nickel. The coin has a diameter of 1.205 inches and is 0.085 thick.
Conclusion
The 1974 half-dollar is made from copper and nickel alloy. These coins' condition and rarity are the main factors determining their value. 1974 Half dollars in excellent condition will have a higher value, while those in lower condition are worth their face value. Half dollars produced in the Denver mint have a “D” mark on the obverse, while those struck in San Francisco have an “S” mint mark.
