When you were young, a fifty-cent piece was a real treasure. It turns out that half a dollar is worth quite a bit. Collectors of rare coins can sell them for thousands, or even millions, of dollars.
Many half-dollar coins contain silver, even if they are worth less than their face value. Even if the coins are heavily circulated or worn, they still have intrinsic value. You can find the most valuable coins in your coin bank or pocket change by knowing what to look for.
List of the Most Valuable Half-Dollars
Several factors make a coin valuable, no matter what kind of coin it is. The first is rarity. The pieces with a minting mistake or a super low mint number are worth more than the ones with many examples. Condition is another factor. A coin that is in near-mint condition will always have a higher value than a coin in poor shape. There’s another factor that comes into play with silver dollars: the metal content. Silver was present in every half-dollar that was minted before 1971, so these older coins are worth more than fifty cents.
Half Dollar | You can also value |
1796 16 Stars Half Dollar | $1,800,000 |
1794 Flowing hair half dollar | $1,800,000 |
1797 half-dollar | $1,560,000 |
1838 half-dollar proof | $763,750 |
1795 Flowing hair half dollar | $552,000 |
1801 half dollars | $420,000 |
1839 half-dollar proof | $299,000 |
1796 16 Stars Half Dollar
What is the value of a half-dollar? It’s not surprising that the oldest half-dollar is valuable. The half dollar was the first coin to feature a portrait of Lady Liberty. There were many half-dollars made in 1795 but far fewer in 1796 or 1797. It’s nearly impossible to find a 16-star coin in near-perfect condition. (This is a coin over 200 years old). In 2023, one was sold at auction for $1,800,000.00.
1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar
The 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar also was sold for $1,800,000. in 2023. It’s still rare even though you can’t find it in perfect condition. The US Mint produced about 2,000 half-dollars in 1794. However, 10% didn’t meet the standards and were immediately melted. Due to this, the coin was initially considered rare. The Flowing Hair design was not popular and it was redone shortly after.
1797 Half Dollar
Another incredibly rare coin is the 1797 half-dollar. We’re talking about coins that date back over 200 years. Fewer than 4, 000 were ever made. It’s not easy to locate these, especially in good shape. There are 324 estimated to be left. In 2023, one was sold for $1.560.000.
1838 Half Dollar Proof
Proof coins are those that have never been circulated, and so they are in pristine condition. They’re almost impossible to find some years. One of them is the 1838 half-dollar. Experts believe that this 1838 half-dollar was the first proof made. There were probably less than 20 coins struck. You can add almost two centuries to the age of this half-dollar, and it becomes one of the rare. In 2014, one was sold for $763.750.
1795 Flowing hair half dollar
The 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar is also very rare, just like the 1794 version. In pristine condition examples that have crisp details are even less common and can fetch a premium. In 2021, one of these coins featuring Lady Liberty with flowing hair in profile sold for 552,000.
1801 Half Dollar
The US Mint altered the design of the reverse of the coin in 1801 and 1802. A heraldic eagle was added to the back. This transition, like all others in the mint’s history, resulted from different combinations of dies. A mint-condition example of this coin can be worth thousands. In 2023, one was sold for $420,000.
1839 Half Dollar Proof
The 1839 proof half dollar is also very valuable. Both coins were produced by the New Orleans Mint and are among the most sought-after half dollars. Only four 1839 proof half dollars are known. This makes the 1839 half-dollar even more rare than its 1839 counterpart. In 2012, one was sold for $299,000.
Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollars
Modern half-dollars are still worth 50 cents, even though they’re older. Kennedy Half Dollar was first issued in 1964 and saw heavy circulation throughout the 1960s. In 1964, they were 90% silver. This was then reduced to 40% the following year and finally phased out in 1971.
Kennedy’s half-dollars from 1964 are the most valuable. In 2019, a pristine condition was sold for $108,000.
Quick Tip
Check the date if you have a Kennedy half-dollar. The most valuable are those made before 1971, with examples from 1964 being especially valuable.
Grab Your Magnifying Glass
The older the half dollar, whether it’s in your change or an old jar with coins, the more valuable it is. Look for old coins with dates that are in excellent condition. These coins could be worth a great deal.