Wondering about the value of your 1983 half dollar? Don’t worry; we’ve always got you covered! We will show you how to assess the worth of your precious coin like a pro. But did you know that the 1983 half dollar also features the legendary President John F. Kennedy? Pretty cool, right? Well, we’re not stopping there! This article will discuss the 1983 half dollar value, including its history, varieties, errors, grading guides, and more!
1983 Half Dollar Value Details
- Category: Kennedy Half Dollar
- Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
- Total Mintage: 69,890,370
- Obverse Design: John F. Kennedy
- Reverse Design: The heraldic eagle holding arrows and an olive branch with stars circling around it
- Designers: Gilroy Roberts & Frank Gasparro
- Composition: 75% copper; 25% nickel
- Diameter: 30.6 mm (1.20 inches)
- Mass: 11.34 grams
- Thickness: 2.15 mm (0.08464567 inches)
- Edge: Reeded
1983 Half Dollar Value Chart
The table below presents the 1989 half dollar value from the coin catalog of the Greysheet website. You will notice that there was no 1983 S dollar in the business strike. The 1983 half dollar with the S mint mark are all proof coins and have lower values than P (no mint mark) and D marks.
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1983 Half Dollar Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | MS63 | MS64 | MS65 | MS66 | MS67 |
| 1983 P Dollar Value |
$8.10 |
$20.25 |
$74 |
$520 |
$3,750 |
| 1983 D Half Dollar Value |
$4.05 |
$20.25 |
$54 |
$448 |
$3,750 |
| 1983 S Proof Half Dollar Value |
$5.06 |
$5.74
|
$6.75 |
$8.10
|
$9.45 |
1983 Half Dollar Value and Varieties Guide
1983 P Half Dollar Value
- Type: Kennedy Half Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: P
- Place of minting: Philadelphia
- Year of minting: 1983
- Face value: $0.50
- $ Price: $8.10to $3,750
- Quantity produced: 34,139,000
- Designers: Gilroy Roberts & Frank Gasparro
The Philadelphia Mint, which has been producing coins since 1792, minted the 1983 P Kennedy Half Dollar. Today, the 1983 P Kennedy Half Dollar is in great condition and comes in a protective coin flip package.
Among these coins, a 1983-P half dollar coin is in MS67 condition, which means it is nearly perfect in terms of its surface, luster, strike, and eye appeal. It was sold at different auction houses on different dates, and it was sold at different auction houses on different dates and was graded by different organizations.
From the record of the Greysheet website, the highest 1983 half dollar value was sold in 2016 at Heritage Auctions for $793, had a PCGS population of 20 with a 1:1 grading ratio, indicating that out of all the 1983 P half dollar coins graded by PCGS, only 20 of them were graded MS67. On the other hand, the NGC census for this coin was 3, with a 0:1 grading ratio.
Moving on to the two most recent coins from 2022, both were sold by David Lawrence Rare Coins. The first one was sold in July for $95 and graded MS67 by NGC. The second one was sold in July for $155 and graded the same, but the census and grading ratio is not mentioned.
1983 D Half Dollar Value
- Type: Kennedy Half Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: D
- Place of minting: Denver
- Year of minting: 1983
- Face value: $0.50
- $ price: $4.05to $3,750
- Quantity produced: 32,472,244
- Designers: Gilroy Roberts & Frank Gasparro
The highest sold 1983-D half dollar on record is an MS68 PCGS graded coin that was sold by Heritage Auctions in 2016 for $4,230. This coin was graded MS68 by PCGS, which is a very high grade and indicates that the coin is in nearly perfect condition.
In January 2023, Heritage Auctions sold a 1983-D (MS67) NGC-graded coin for $174. It was slightly lower grade than the first mentioned MS68 graded 1983 half dollar coin. The NGC census for this coin is 18/0, indicating that only 18 of 1983 D half dollar coins have been graded in MS67 condition, while the PCGS population is 42/1. The CDN wholesale bid for MS67 Grade Kennedy half dollar is $345.
The difference in sale price between the MS68 PCGS and MS67 NGC 1983 half dollar value can be attributed to the higher rarity and desirability of the MS68 graded Kennedy half dollar and the potential influence of other factors, such as auction timing, bidding interest, and condition variations.
1983 S Proof Half Dollar Value
- Type: Kennedy Half Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: S
- Place of minting: San Francisco
- Year of minting: 1983
- Face value: $0.50
- $ Price: $5.06to $9.45
- Quantity produced: 3,279,126
- Designers: Gilroy Roberts & Frank Gasparro
The 1983-S proof half dollar does not have the same value as the business strikes 1983 half dollar minted at the Denver and Philadelphia Mints. This is because the 1983-S proof half dollar was produced primarily for collectors, with a much lower mintage of only 3,279,126, and was not intended for circulation, while the business strikes 1983 half dollars were produced for circulation and were widely available to the public.
That said, collectors consider proofs essential additions to their collections due to their exceptional craftsmanship, mirror-like surfaces, and intricate frosty details. A specimen of this coin (PR70) Deep Cameo was sold for $106 in Heritage Auctions in 2015.
The coin has been graded with the highest possible grade for a proof coin, indicating that it is in perfect condition and has a strong contrast between the design elements and the fields, though it does not cost as much as the other varieties. Only a limited number of these 1983 half dollars have been graded in perfect condition by two major grading services, PCGS and NGC.
Also Read: Top 15 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money
1983 Half Dollar Value History
The Kennedy Half Dollar, a masterpiece of numismatic artistry, was created by the gifted artists Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro in the wake of the untimely demise of the revered President John F. Kennedy through an assassination. There was a strong impulse to commemorate the late president and honor his memory. Aside from redesigning a circulating half dollar with his image, renaming streets, schools, and other public properties was also one way to do this. It allowed communities to express their admiration and respect for the fallen president.
Based on a design that had captured Kennedy’s fancy, the half dollar coin was produced with unprecedented fervor, with over 273 million requests pouring in from the public. Despite such overwhelming demand, the coin never made it to circulation. During 1982-83, the availability of halves was slightly limited compared to other dates due to the U.S. Mint’s decision to not release their typical Uncirculated Sets in those years.
It stood as a tribute to Kennedy’s remarkable popularity and the prescience of those who anticipated the rise in silver’s value. Today, the Kennedy Half Dollar is an object of great fascination for its historical significance, symbolism, and allure to collectors. The 90% silver Kennedy halves are particularly coveted, but their scarcity has only added to their appeal, with eager collectors vying for the chance to own a piece of American history.
In addition, the Kennedy Half Dollar is a special coin that has changed its metal composition thrice throughout history. It was first made from 90% silver in 1964 but later reduced to 40% silver. From 1971, it was made from a copper-nickel mixture. In 1975, Congress allowed the use of 40% silver for proof halves during the bicentennial. More than 69 million Kennedy Half Dollars were minted in 1979 and are easy to find now.
While no individual 1983 half dollar value is considered rare, coins in exceptional condition (MS66 or MS67) are considered conditionally scarce, meaning they are rare in that particular condition. Additionally, certain varieties of this 1983 half dollar, such as those with the 1974 doubled die obverse, 1982 no FG, and 1998-S matte finish, are difficult to come by and thus have a higher value.
Some Kennedy half dollars were minted in limited quantities and intended solely for distribution in mint sets. Examples of these include the 1970-D, 1987 Philadelphia, and Denver coins, and all those produced since 2002. This limited distribution further contributes to their rarity and value.
1983 Half Dollar Value Grading
The 1983 half dollar value is graded based on commonly used grading standards to determine their value. The grading standards ranged from VF20 (Very Fine) to MS65 (Choice Uncirculated). The level of wear and tear on the coin is used to determine its condition and its value.
Coins graded at the higher end of the scale, such as MS63 and MS65, should exhibit no signs of wear and have attractive mint luster. Understanding these grading standards is essential when determining the value of a 1983 Kennedy Half Dollar, as it helps to assess its overall condition and rarity. For more information about the 183 half dollar value, check out this video from BigDCoins on Youtube.
List of 1983 Half Dollar Value Errors
These 1983 half dollar value errors can range from minor variations in the coin’s design to major errors that significantly impact the coin’s value. Note that there may or may not be some half dollar errors minted in the same year out there but have yet to be recorded. The list below shows some of the known errors in the coin market.
1. 1983 Half Dollar Misaligned Die Error
A misaligned coin error happens when the die that shapes the 1983 half dollar value is not in the right position with the chamber that holds the coin. This causes the coin to be struck off-center and may miss some design features. When the hammer die hits the 1983 half dollar in the wrong position, one side of the coin is affected, making it look uneven. If both sides are affected, it’s called an off-center strike.
2. 1983 Proof Filled S Error
This error occurred during the minting process when the “S” mint mark was over-punched, resulting in a filled appearance. Coins with this error are unique and highly sought after by collectors, selling for thousands of dollars. The Filled mint mark “S” error is a fascinating example of how small variations in the minting process can impact a coin’s rarity and value.
3. 1983 Double Die Error
The double die error that occurred on the 1983 half dollar resulted in the letters on the coin appearing to be duplicated, particularly in the word “TRUST.” This anomaly set it apart from the standard half dollars produced by the U.S. Mint, thus rendering it a valuable and exceptional item for collectors.
The mistake occurred when the die, which is responsible for making the coin, encountered a glitch and struck the coin twice, resulting in the doubled appearance of the letters. However, the 1983 half dollar value retains its legal tender status and has the same value as a regular half dollar.
4. 1983 No “FG” Error
The 1983 half dollar had a missing initial coin error, known as the “no FG” error, caused by a mistake during the minting process where the designer’s initials were not stamped on the coin. FG is the initials of one of the coin’s designers, Frank Gasparro.
In typical grades, the 1983-P half dollar with missing FG initials can fetch anywhere from $15 to $50, with higher grades commanding even higher prices. The 1988 P half dollar also has a comparable “no FG” error and is similarly prized by collectors.
1983 Half Dollar Value FAQ
Q: Is a 1983 half dollar real silver?
The 1983 Kennedy Half is commonly known as the silver clad due to its composition of copper-nickel alloy. This material was used because silver was prohibited at the time of its production.
As for its silver content, note that the 1983 Kennedy Half was not made of silver. Only 40% of it started in 1975. Instead, it was made of a copper-nickel alloy, which became the standard composition for U.S. half dollars after silver was no longer used in their production. Therefore, the 1983 half dollar does not contain any silver.
Conclusion
We hope you found the information helpful in assessing the worth of your 1983 half dollar value. If you have more questions or comments about this coin or any other American coin, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always happy to hear from fellow coin enthusiasts and help out in any way we can.