The 1977 half-dollar is a 50-cent coin that has been used since 1971. It was created in memory of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated on November 22, 1963.
The coin’s obverse design was created by Gilroy Roberts, while Frank Gasparro made the reverse. They are minted in three different locations, namely Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
If you have a 1977 half-dollar, then it might be of value. Learn more about its perceived cost here.
1977 Half-Dollar Details
- Category: Kennedy Half-Dollar
- Mintage: 43,598,000
- Minted at: Philadelphia
- Mint Mark: none
- Designation: MS
- Strike type: Business
- Obverse Designer: Gilroy Roberts
- Reverse Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Metal Composition: 67% Copper – 8.33% Nickel
- Diameter: 6 mm
- Mass / Weight: 34 grams
- Edge: 150 reeds
- Coinage years: 1971-present
1977 Half Dollar Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | Proof |
| 1977 No Mint Mark Half Dollar | $0.60-$0.75 | $0.60-$0.75 | $0.60-$0.75 | $3.38 | n/a |
| 1977 D Half Dollar | $0.60-$0.75 | $0.60-$0.75 | $0.60-$0.75 | $3.38 | n/a |
| 1977 S Half Dollar | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4.63 |
1977 Half Dollar Value and Varieties Guides
1977 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value
- Category: Kennedy Half-Dollar
- Mintage: 43,598,000
- Minted at: Philadelphia
- Mint Mark: none
- Designation: MS
- Strike type: Business
- Obverse Designer: Gilroy Roberts
- Reverse Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Metal Composition: 67% Copper – 8.33% Nickel
- Diameter: 6 mm
- Mass / Weight: 34 grams
- Edge: 150 reeds
- Coinage years: 1971-present
The half-dollar used existing dies from sculptors Frank Gasparro and Gilroy Roberts, which allowed the coin was circulated rather quickly.
Due to time issues, Roberts used a modified image from the Kennedy medal. This led to the obverse design having a left-facing Kennedy, with the word “Liberty” on top and the phrase “In God we trust” below. The coin also bears the year it was created: 1977.
It has no mint mark compared to the other half-dollars in this list.
As for the obverse, Gasparro made use of the presidential seal – an eagle with its wings and legs spread.
The eagle’s right talon clutches an olive branch with 13 olives and 13 leaves. Apart from representing the 13 original colonies, this image is said to depict peace. Its left talon, on the other hand, carries arrows – because sometimes, the nation needs to go to war to protect it.
The obverse side also features a scroll with the country’s motto, “E Pluribus Unum,” on top of the eagle.
On top of the reverse design is the inscription “United States of America,” while the coin’s designation “Half-dollar” is written below.
Despite being common, an MS-67 1977 half-dollar coin has been sold for as much as $1,116. However, the truth of the matter is most only value this coin to a maximum of $145.
1977 D Half Dollar Value
- Category: Kennedy Half-Dollar
- Mintage: 31,449,106
- Minted at: Denver
- Mint Mark: D
- Designation: MS
- Strike type: Business
- Obverse Designer: Gilroy Roberts
- Reverse Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Metal Composition: 67% Copper – 8.33% Nickel
- Diameter: 6 mm
- Mass / Weight: 34 grams
- Edge: 150 reeds
- Coinage years: 1971-present
The 1977 D half-dollar is, in many ways, similar to the P half-dollar. It contains Roberts’ design on the obverse and Gasparro’s presidential seal design on the reverse.
The difference, however, lies in the mint mark. Whereas the P half-dollar has no mint mark, the D half-dollar has “D” for Denver.
The Denver Mint has been operating since 1906 and continues producing coins for general use and collections.
1997 D half-dollars are commonly seen in MS-66 condition; as such prices of this grade are quite affordable. MS-67 grades are tough to find, although there are hundreds are known to exist.
MS-68 half-dollars are literally a dime a dozen and, as such, are considered collectibles by many. So even if a 1977 D half-dollar only has an MS 64 grade, it can sell for as much as $9,200. However, sellers currently put the value of an MS-68 1997 D half-dollar at $2,250.
1977 S Half Dollar Value
- Category: Kennedy Half-Dollar
- Mintage: 3,251,152
- Minted at: San Francisco
- Mint Mark: S
- Obverse Designer: Gilroy Roberts
- Reverse Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Metal Composition: 67% Copper – 8.33% Nickel
- Diameter: 6 mm
- Mass / Weight: 34 grams
- Edge: 150 reeds
- Coinage years: 1971-present
The 1977 S half-dollar is minted in San Francisco, hence its name. The minting location, which was founded in 1864, was built in response to the California gold rush.
The 1977 S half-dollar was created using special planchets, so they take longer to be released into circulation. They’re also known to be more detailed – just like other proof coins.
As 1977 S half-dollars are specially made for collectors, they’re not as common as the other coins in this list. Expectedly, only 3.25 million of 1977 S half-dollars were produced then, which is considered a far cry from the quantity of Philadelphia-minted half-dollars.
The record price for a 1977 S half-dollar at an auction is $1,323. That said, coins of this kind are only valued at as much as $60 for a PR-70 quality model.
Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money
1977 Half-Dollar History
The 1977 half-dollar is part of the US Mint’s Kennedy half-dollar series. First produced in the year 1964, it was minted to commemorate the 35th President John F. Kennedy. The swift authorization to create such coins was launched a mere month after his untimely death.
At first, Kennedy’s depiction was considered for the dollar – as well as the quarter. However, his widow Jacqueline Kennedy preferred that he be on the half-dollar, for she didn’t want George Washington to be replaced on the dollar.
Thus, John F. Kennedy ended up replacing Benjamin Franklin on the half-dollar.
Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy were invited to view the trial strikes of the coin. According to reports, the former first wife suggested that the president’s hair be changed slightly. However, the widow’s wish was not granted.
Composition of the Half-Dollar
When the silver Kennedy half-dollar was launched in March 1964, they were immediately hoarded by collectors and fans alike. And, due to the rising prices of silver at that time, many of these coins were melted for their metal content.
In response to this, the US mint decided to reduce the silver content from 90% to 40%. Yet, despite this move, Kennedy half-dollars were rarely seen in circulation.
By 1971, the coin’s silver content was replaced with 75% copper and 25% nickel. Still, usage of the currency was very minimal.
So, several years later, the US mint launched another round of silver-containing Kennedy half-dollars. These business-struck and silver-clad unique collector coins were specially made to celebrate the US Bicentennial.
Kennedy half-dollars were again minted with 90% silver in 1992 and were sold as silver proof sets.
These were no match for the 50th-anniversary edition, though. These valuable half-dollars, which were launched in 2014, were made with 99.99% gold.
The minting of Kennedy half-dollars was halted in 2001, although collectible editions were produced from 2002 to 2020. Starting in 2021, however, these coins were again reprinted for use by the general population.
1977 Half-Dollar Grading
1977 half-dollars, like other coins, are graded according to a 70-point scale. This Sheldon scoring system considers the coin’s strike, luster, attractiveness, color, and preservation.
Kennedy half-dollars come in various grades, from fine ones to mint state perfect. Needless to say, the higher the coin’s point is, the better its value.
Likewise, the more pronounced the error is, the higher its price.
Lists of 1977 Half-Dollar Errors
1. 1977 Half-Dollar Off-Center Error
As the name suggests, this coin results when the planchet is improperly placed. As a result, it hits the surface off-center – so some of the design is lost, be it the image, lettering, or dentils.
Off-center coins are measured by percentage. While it is true that the coin’s value increased with this percentage, it’s not always the case. A 95% off-center coin is less attractive because only a tiny part of the design is left.
Larger coins, such as the 1977 half-dollar, barely have this mistake, which is why coins with such errors sell for a steep price.
2. 1977 Half-Dollar Double Struck, Off-Center Error
A double-struck, off-center error occurs when the coin is not fully ejected from the die after it has been struck. So when it is hit again, the image ends up veering off-center.
Sellers have been known to capitalize on this kind of coin error for $600 (or more.)
3. 1977 Half-Dollar Double Broad Struck Error
A double brodstruck coin is one that has been struck outside the collar. As a result, the planchet expands to a larger diameter than intended.
Because of this, double broad-struck half-dollars may appear centered – or off-center.
A coin with this error can quickly be sold in auction houses for a pretty price.
4. 1977 Half-Dollar Misaligned Die Error
A misaligned die error occurs when the hammer die is crooked to the coining chamber. So when it strikes the coin, the result is an off-center design.
5. 1977 Half-Dollar Die Crack Error
A die crack error results from a die that is damaged due to immense pressure. As a result, the coins it produces will have a raised line of metal.
6. 1977 Half-Dollar Upside Down Error
This error occurs when the coin is struck in medallion alignment rather than coin alignment. As a result, the other side is ‘upside down’ – which could be unnoticeable if you don’t compare it to similar coins.
7. 1977 Half-Dollar Planchet Error
Some half-dollars printed in Denver have a pricey error: they’re made with a silver-copper clad planchet rather than the usual copper-nickel one.
These coins are known to bring thousands of dollars to the lucky owner/seller.
1977 Half-Dollar FAQs
How much is a 1977 half-dollar worth today?
The 1977 half-dollar is worth anywhere from $3.38 for uncirculated coins and $4.63 for proof coins.
However, these coins can be bought for thousands, with a 1797 D half-dollar being auctioned off for $9,200.
What makes a 1977 half-dollar rare?
Some half-dollars minted in Denver are considered rare, for they are made with a silver planchet. Because of this, such coins contain about 40% silver.
What is a valuable 1977 Kennedy Half-Dollar?
The most valuable 1977 Kennedy half-dollar is one that was printed with a silver planchet. This type of coin, which was produced in Denver, contains 40% silver instead of the usual 91.67% Copper and 8.33% Nickel.
How much is a 1977 S proof half a dollar worth?
A 1997 S half-dollar proof coin is worth $4.63. However, one has been auctioned off for a nifty record price of $1,323.
How much silver does a 1977 half-dollar have?
A 1977 half-dollar doesn’t have any silver. It’s made from 91.67% Copper and 8.33% Nickel. However, some coins minted in Denver were mistakenly created with a silver planchet. Currencies of this rarity are pegged to contain 40% silver.
How can you tell if a 1977 half-dollar is silver?
There is no silver in a 1977 half-dollar. That said, there are half-dollars produced in Denver that were made with a silver planchet.
To determine if your coin is one of these rare kinds, check for the stripe on its edge. If it’s silver, then your currency is made with silver. But if the line is subdued and bears some copper traces, then this might mean that your coin contains 40% silver.
Additionally, a silver half-dollar will weigh 11.5 grams – instead of the usual 11.34 grams.