10 Half Dollar Coins That Are Worth Way More Than Face Value

If you're looking for ways to make extra money online, selling your old coins could bring in more than you might realize. While half dollars are only minted at a value of 50 cents, coin enthusiasts will pay handsomely to complete their collection. 

Some are rare because there were never many minted, but others have unique errors and marks that make them intriguing to the right buyer. Use the list below to find out if you've got hidden treasure in your coin collection.

Market value: $6

These special commemorative coins were produced for just one year at the San Francisco mint, so they will always have an "S" mint mark. Despite their 21% silver content and collectibility, they're fairly easy to find and not worth as much as the other half dollars on this list.

Circulated coins are generally worth $6 or $7, regardless of their condition.

Market value: $12

Created to commemorate President Kennedy after his assassination in 1963, these half dollars were among the first to feature his profile. Before 1980, coins minted in Philadelphia had no mint mark. So, if your coin has a mint mark, it's more than likely an earlier Denver edition.

These coins are common but still sell for $12 to $14, with a higher price for those in exceptional condition.

Market value: $19

The mint mark shows where the coin was made. All 1964 dollars were either made in Philadelphia or Denver, with a "D" mark indicating the latter. During this year, however, a minting error resulted in some coins having the mint mark punched twice.

If you find a half dollar with a second "D" next to the first, it's worth $19 in extremely fine condition, increasing to $27 to $38 for uncirculated coins.

Market value: $28

Sometimes a coin is stamped twice, resulting in a doubling effect. On the 1974 Kennedy half dollars from Denver, some were stamped twice on the obverse (front) of the coin. It's most noticeable on the motto beneath Kennedy: "In God We Trust."

In good condition, these double die error coins are worth $28, increasing to $34 for "about uncirculated" condition.

Market value: $275

The reverse of the Kennedy half dollar was designed by Frank Gasparro. As such, most of these coins have a small "FG" next to the right-hand side of the eagle's tail. For some reason, in 1966, 1972, and 1982, some of the coin dies were over-polished, resulting in coins without the designer's initials.

This error is rarest on the 1972 coins, and they can be worth $275 in "extremely fine" condition.

Market value: $6,038

A great example of how minting errors increase value, this coin was accidentally minted in silver when it should have been copper and nickel. The rarity increases the value much more than the silver content. At auction, this coin sold for more than $6,000.

Other than commemorative coins, silver dollars were officially last minted in 1970. If you find one from after this year, it could be very valuable indeed.

Market value: $22,325

While 1964 half dollars aren't rare, there were fewer produced by the Denver mint than by the primary Philadelphia mint. So coins with a "D" mint mark are usually worth more.

Circulated coins range in value from $13 to $22. However, an uncirculated "D" half dollar could net you thousands of dollars, with a near-flawless coin selling at auction for more than $22K.

Market value: $91,500

Specimen strikes are similar to proofs in that they're crafted to showcase what the finished coin will look like once it enters circulation. These specimen strikes from the early 1800s are rare and, as such, hold a high market value.

In excellent condition (MS65, mint state), one sold for $223,250 at auction.

Market value: $165,000

Over 188,000 half dollars were minted in 1803, with some made using a die that made the "3" in the year mark slightly thinner and shorter. You might need to consult an expert for a comparison, but if you find one of these rarer mintings, its market value is around $165,000.

At auction, this coin has sold for up to $195,500, and even the larger "3" version sells for up to $183,000 in mint condition.

Market value: $1,000,000

The very first half dollar coins were minted in 1794, and because the U.S. mint was in its early days, not many ever went into circulation. The rarity and historical significance of these coins give them a market value of around $1 million.

At auction, an MS64-graded (uncirculated, some minor marks) 1794 half dollar sold for $1.8 million.

Could your collection of half dollars be worth thousands? Possibly, if you have a few of the rarities on this list. Remember that the quality of a coin greatly impacts its selling price. When liaising with collectors, make sure you note the year, mint mark, and any other identifying details.

Plenty of proofs and commemorative half dollars trade for impressive amounts, and even a small find could help lower your financial stress. For the best sense of what your coins are worth, check trusted coin-collecting sites or connect with a local expert. Who knows? Giving your change jar a closer look might turn up something surprising.