For reference, a half dollar is almost twice as heavy as a typical quarter, it’s 11g+. But because the half dollar is the largest circulating coin in terms of weight, thickness, and diameter, the mint mark seems minuscule. In reality, it’s the same size as the mint marks on other denominations that year.

You may notice that the mint mark on 1974 Half Dollars is tiny. But the coins aren’t worth much unless they have rare errors. In 2021, the Mint resumed making clad half dollars so a lot of them exist. When prices dropped, a few coins would enter circulation, but even those would soon be re-stashed out of habit. When silver prices were high, the coins were hoarded and melted. Later, in the 90s and 2010s, commemorative 50c coins came in pure silver and gold. So the 1974 Half Dollar had today’s clad composition of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. The silver was reduced and eventually eliminated to prevent hoarding and silver stacking for the coin’s melt value. Both their initials appear on the coin, with GR on the obverse neck and FG on the reverse above the tail.Įarlier half dollars were 90% silver in 1964 and 40% silver from 1965 to 1970. At the time, Gasparro was still an Assistant Mint Engraver, and he didn’t get promoted until 1965 when Roberts left the post. Gilroy Roberts (1948 to 1964) designed the heads side aka obverse while Frank Gasparro (1965 to 1981) designed the tails side aka reverse. The coin was designed by the two Chief Mint Engravers. But since he was okay with how he looked on the medal, the same image was used on the coin. Or rather, he hadn’t disapproved – he famously had no opinion on the matter. She didn’t want to displace the $1 George Washington.Ī few months before his death, the US Mint had been working on a series of Presidential Medals, and JFK had approved his medal. The public and the government agreed, and his widow, Jackie O, asked for him to be on the half dollar. So when he was shot in 1963, the decision to honor him with circulating currency was unanimous. Not just in America, but around the world. Kennedy was one of the most beloved presidents in history.

But what makes it so special? Let’s dig into some details and accurately assess 1974 Half Dollar value. So he quickly landed on the half dollar starting in 1964, and his features still graced it in 1974. Kennedy (aka Jack aka JFK) was assassinated in 1963, both the public and the governing authorities wanted to commemorate him on a coin.

1971 1972 silver dollar value