By CoinWeek…
The Kennedy Bicentennial Half Dollar is a quintessential American modern coin, and the offering of one of the finest known examples is a significant event for Registry Set collectors. The auction is currently listed with a starting bid of $3,900 and will close on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
The Bicentennial Half Dollar
The 1976-D Kennedy Half Dollar is a circulating commemorative coin struck to celebrate the United States Bicentennial, the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This coin, minted at the Denver Mint (indicated by the “D” mint mark beneath the portrait of Kennedy), is one of the most widely recognized modern circulating commemoratives.
The coin was produced in 1975 and 1976, but features a dual date, “1776-1976,” on the obverse, along with the standard portrait of John F. Kennedy.
The coin is most distinct for its one-year-only reverse design, which was chosen through a public competition. The design, by Seth G. Huntington, prominently features a front view of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. In addition to “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “HALF DOLLAR,” the reverse includes the inscription “200 YEARS OF FREEDOM” and “INDEPENDENCE HALL.”
Due to its massive mintage and the fact that many were saved by the public upon release, the 1976-D Bicentennial Half Dollar is extremely common and is generally only worth its 50¢ face value in circulated condition. up to a few dollars in typical uncirculated condition.
However, the coin is uncommon in the certified grade MS67, and to date, PCGS has certified but two examples in MS67+. This is example is one of them. The first example to grade MS67+ is a blast white coin that last sold at public auction in 2014 for $2,585. The current example exhibits a thin layer of pastel toning on the reverse along with hints of color along the obverse periphery. The coin market is much stronger today than it was in 2014 and the appearance of just one additional coin at this grade in ten years speaks to its conditional rarity.
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The post Actually, this GreatCollections Bicentennial Half Dollar IS a Big Deal appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
