What Makes A 1967 Kennedy Half-Dollar Rare

What makes a 1967 Kennedy half-dollar rare? In 1967, the United States Mint issued Kennedy half dollars for circulation, continuing the design launched in 1964 after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. While most 1967 Kennedy half-dollars have modest value, some special versions are rare and extremely valuable to collectors and investors.

If you’re short on time, the quick answer is: Key date, low mintage issues like proofs and specially packaged sets, minting errors and well-preserved high-grade examples of the 1967 Kennedy half dollar can carry significant premiums versus common versions.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what specific factors make certain 1967 half-dollars rare and valuable including mintages, grades, surface preservation, packaging variants, mint errors, and more.

We’ll also overview the pricing landscape for premium 1967 Kennedy half-dollar examples versus more typical specimens.

Low Total Production

Proof Issue

The 1967 Kennedy half-dollar had a total production run of 295,046,978, especially for the proof version. The proof coins are special collector coins made using specially polished dies and planchets. Only 1,800,000 proof Kennedy half dollars were minted in 1967, compared to over 300 million for normal circulation strikes.

This scarcity makes the 1967 proof an important piece for collectors looking to complete a full Kennedy half-dollar set.

Special Sets

In 1967, the U.S. Mint released several special coin sets containing uncirculated and proof Kennedy half dollars. These included the 6-coin proof set and uncirculated mint set. With limited distribution, coins from these special sets are harder to find than normal circulation strikes.

For example, according to U.S. Mint records, the 1967 proof set had a distribution of just 1,800,000 sets. This low output contributes to the scarcity and high collector value of 1967 proof Kennedy halves today.

Grades and Condition

When collecting and evaluating 1967 Kennedy half-dollars, one of the most important factors to consider is the coin’s grade and condition. The grade refers to the overall state of preservation, while the condition refers to the amount of wear, marks, and other damage on the coin’s surface.

Mint State Grades

For 1967 Kennedy halves that were preserved well since the time they were struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco mints, collectors use the Mint State (MS) grading scale. This scale includes ratings like MS-60 through MS-70, with MS-70 representing a perfect coin with no visible wear or flaws.

Here are some key notes on Mint State grades:

• MS-60 coins may have numerous marks, but no actual wear
• MS-63 coins have moderate marks but good overall eye appeal
• MS-65 coins have minor marks and very pleasing eye appeal
• MS-67 or better is considered “premium quality” for a circulation issue like 1967 Kennedy halves

Circulated Grades

For Kennedy halves that did see some time in circulation before being preserved, the grading scale ranges from Good-4 through AU-58. This indicates light to heavy amounts of actual wear on the high points of the coin’s design:

• AU (About Uncirculated) coins have light wear but most details still visible
• EF (Extremely Fine) coins have moderate wear across high points
• VF (Very Fine) coins have substantial wear but major details still visible
• F (Fine) coins have considerable wear with details worn down
• VG (Very Good) and G (Good) coins are well-worn with portions of letters and details merged

Eye Appeal and Surface Preservation

Within each Mint State and circulated grade, eye appeal and surface preservation can make a big difference. For example, an MS-65 coin with ugly toning or many heavy marks is less desirable than a cleanly preserved MS-65.

Similarly, an AU-58 coin with distracting marks or dings is less collectible than an AU-58 with no bothersome flaws.

As this comparison shows, an inferior coin in a higher grade may be valued similarly to or even less than a nicer coin in a slightly lower grade. So condition and eye appeal greatly impact 1967 Kennedy half-dollar value within each grade level.

Packaging Variations

Blue and Red Holder Sets

The 1967 Kennedy half-dollars were included in special coin sets issued by the United States Mint to commemorate the late President John F. Kennedy. One of the most coveted packaging variations for the 1967 Kennedy half dollar is the blue and red holder sets.

These attractive sets feature a vibrant blue cardboard holder with a red interior. Each set contains one brilliant uncirculated Kennedy half-dollar sealed in a clear plastic sleeve. The vibrant colors and sharp condition of the coins make these holder sets extremely desirable to collectors.

According to the most recent price guides, a blue and red holder set containing a 1967 Kennedy half dollar can sell for $75-100 if still sealed and in pristine condition. That’s a tremendous premium over the 60 cents face value of the coin.

Mint Sets

Another important packaging variation for the 1967 Kennedy half-dollars is their inclusion in that year’s mint sets. These were special proof coin sets issued directly by the United States Mint.

The 1967 mint sets contained one proof example each of the Lincoln cent through the Kennedy half-dollar, displayed in fitted plastic dividers inside a sturdy cardboard holder. Nearly 2 million sets were sold.

For collectors seeking high quality examples, a proof 1967 Kennedy half-dollar from one of these mint sets is a great option. Price guides suggest a value of $8-12 for coins still sealed in their original mint set packaging.

There are also a small number of 1967 Special Mint Sets which contained uncirculated coin examples, including the Kennedy half dollar. These sets have even lower original production and are considerably more rare. A 1967 SMS Kennedy half-dollar might sell for $25-35 still in its packaging.

Error Coins

Off-Center Strikes

Off-center strikes happen when the coin is not properly aligned when the hammer die strikes the planchet. This results in part of the coin’s design being missing or truncated. Some key things to look for with off-center 1967 Kennedy half-dollars:

• Part of the date, motto, or other lettering cut off
• Uneven spacing between lettering and coin’s rim
• Obverse design shifted markedly to one side

More extreme off-center strikes are rare and can command significant premiums among errors collectors. A 1967 Kennedy half with just a small portion of the date visible might sell for $500+ compared to a typical uncirculated example worth around $15.

Double Die Errors

Double die errors occur when the coin’s design is imprinted twice, slightly offset. This results in noticeable doubling of design elements like letters or date numbers. On 1967 Kennedy halves, recognized double dies include:

• 1967 double die obverse – Strong doubling of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST
• 1967 double die reverse – Doubling of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR

These dramatic errors are scarce and popular with specialists. An uncirculated 1967 Kennedy half with a confirmed double die obverse or reverse can sell for $2,000-5,000+. Circulated examples still bring four-figure prices.

What Makes A 1967 Kennedy Half-Dollar Rare – Conclusion

While most 1967 Kennedy half-dollars have little premium over face value, key date proofs, high grade business strikes, commemorative sets, mint errors, and carefully preserved specimens carry significant collectability.

Understanding the various rare versions and exclusivities associated with the 1967 issue enables properly identifying and valuing any Kennedy half dollars that may be stashed away in your collection.