1987 Half dollars

[Dozer D]

Was watching a few episodes on U-Tube CRH, saw them pulling 1987 halves besides silvers. What's so special on the '87?

 

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[galenrog]

Average value is 50 cents. If graded as uncirculated, you might be able to get half the grading fee.

If I might throw out another opinion, YouTube has a plethora of misinformation on the value of coins.

Time for more coffee.

 

[Diver_Down]

The unique aspect of the '87 halves was that they were only available in mint sets. They were not issued for circulation. Nowadays, it isn't such a big deal for NIFC halves. The Mint sells rolls/bags direct to collectors throughout the year in addition to their availability in mint sets. But what makes the '87 unique is the manner in which the Mint sold to collectors. Back in the day, you had to submit a postcard order form to acquire your set direct or hoped that the local coin dealer had inventory. But the window to order wasn't an open-ended opportunity that we have today to buy coins direct year-round. You had to submit your order in the spring. After the deadline, orders were filled and remaining quantities were supposed to be destroyed (I don't think that ever happened). But what happened in '87 was Reagan was cutting government spending and the Mint was part of the cutbacks. Hence, a half dollar that never circulates anyway was never produced in quantities sufficient for circulation. Their production was limited to satisfy the demand for Mint sets. But along with the cutbacks was their promotional budget. They never told collectors that they wouldn't be produced for circulation. It was typical at the time that collectors didn't buy mint sets as much as just acquire a roll or a single coin at the bank for their yearly sets. So by the time collectors realized that they couldn't get the rolls at the bank, the ordering window for mint sets had closed. Collectors were left without.