Key Dates for Half dollars

Lyfeguard · Jan 20, 2012

So we are all coin roll hunting here, but I will admit, aside from the obvious silver I don't know all the key dates to be looking for. I know the 1974-d coin had a series of double die errors (you can see it in the "we trust" stamped next to Kennedy, lots of google images). I also see that people are keeping 1987, why I don't know. The beginner topic says to hold on to post 2002 coins as they were not regularly circulated, do these years have any extra value? The online price guides don't support this. I will say I have not seen a 1987 half since I started looking for those too.

Please post any know dates and why they should be held onto. Also, can someone explain why 1987's and post 2002's?

GEOFF · Jan 20, 2012

read this

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?topic=54523.0

JT10 · Jan 20, 2012

Aside from silver, there are not any key dates to be looking for unless you look for errors.
A listing of errors can be found at this web page:
http://www.kennedyhalfdollar.com/errors/red-introduction.html

You may also want to keep the proof coins - they will have the S mint mark. Most of them are clad, but some of the later ones may be silver.

Some people keep the 1987 and post 2001 because they have a very low mintage and were not intended for circulation. I personally keep a few of them that I find in very nice condition, but I just toss most of them back. They don't really have any extra value - just keep them because I collect coins as well as search for silver. It is possible that you may be able to sell them to dealers or on craigslist or ebay, but the potential return is so small that I do not bother with it.

clovis97 · Jan 20, 2012

The only key dates for me are 1970 and before.

I have been keeping the 1987's too...I'm not sure why. It took me over a year to find one, and now have 4. IIRC, the 87's were made for mint sets only, so they are unusual to find.

Generic_Lad · Jan 20, 2012

Really, aside from the key dates in the Walkers, there aren't any key date half dollars. Even though the 1970 halves aren't intended for circulation, they are easily found at a coin shop for not too much over spot, especially if it hits $40/ounce again. About the only time I would ever save the post-2001 halves is if I got a mint roll (as in, direct from the mint in mint packaging) because there simply is no collector demand for clad Kennedy half dollars.