Among my battered Franklin half-dollars, I found some Kennedys which, though circulated, are in fairly good shape. The few dealers I've asked said they're worth exactly the same (probably because they're mostly thinking of melting them down). But I was wondering - if I ever find a club, or if I were selling on Craigslist, would a good-condition Kennedy be worth any more than a battered one?
Silver-composed, circulation-strike Kennedys are fairly common in both circulated and uncirculated grades, so they command no premiums in Ch. BU grades. The dealer who quoted you this price is most likely correct... They're worth their weight in Silver. -Brian
1964 Kennedys are made of 90% silver 1965-1970 Kennedys are made of 40% silver 1971- Kennedys are clad
No all Kennedys are not equal. 1964 they were produced with 90% silver content, or .36169 ounces of pure silver. In 1965, up until 1970 the silver content was reduced to 40%, or .1479 ounces of pure silver. Silver closed at $29.84 an ounce Friday. That makes the 64 halves, worth $10.79, while the 65-70 halves come in at $4.41. That's the silver value of those and not what any dealer or B&M would offer you. I think the 90% halves are on an offer of $7.50-$8.25 and the 40% I think the offer is about half of the melt value.
:thumb:Yes & No 1964-70-D & SMS&Proof check out this web site.this one I sold to Rick T about 3months ago. http://www.randicoins.com/store/pc/1964-ACCENTED-HAIR-KENNEDY-NGC-PF-67-ULTRA-CAMEO-6p1137.htm. http://www.randicoins.com/
No! Not all Kennedy's are the same. Here's a 1965 NGC MS68* that is at $316+ right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/320813896788?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Chris
Wow! Perfect example as to how crazy auction bidding can be. NGC's value is $250, I would start the haggling at $175. Don't think I would go much more than $210 for that.
It should be noted that the Numismedia price of $250 doesn't separate MS68 from MS68* and there is a considerable difference between MS68 & MS68PL. I assume that, by virtue of the * designation, this coin just missed PL. Chris
No not all Kenndy Halves are the same. For most business strikes you can find up to MS 63 coins for close to face. The silver Kennedy Halves go for their bullion melt value as listed above. For slabbed business strike Kennedy halves at MS 66 and above, people will usually pay a decent premium whether they are 90%, 40% silver or clad. Once you get into the Proofs, you have to have a slabbed PF69 DCAM or above for the modern (post '92 issues) before people will pay a premium. High grade DCAM proofs Pre-1980 can also command a serious premium. For high grade DCAM proofs minted in the 60's(including SMS coins) you're talking silly money. See Jello's post above.
FYI: The star is given because one side but not the other is either Cameo or Ultra Cameo. The SMS coins from the mid-1960s are considered a part of the "proof" series for grading purposes, and thus are given either Cameo or Ultra Cameo designations by NGC, not PL or DPL designations. The SMS MS68 Cameo coin has a book value of $2560, so I wouldn't be surprised to see this one end up around $500 or more.
