1979 Kennedy Half-Dollar Errors
Have you ever found a Kennedy half-dollar and spent it without a second thought?
What if that simple 50-cent coin could be worth more than most people earn in an entire year?
Believe it or not, certain 1979 Kennedy half-dollar error coins are selling for up to $236,000, and other legendary half-dollar mistakes have reached $286,000 and even $335,000.
These aren’t myths.
They’re real auction results.
Let’s break down the incredible truth about these coins, what makes them so valuable, and how you can check your own half-dollars.
🕰️ A Quick Look Back at 1979
1979 was a fascinating year in American history:
- Gas lines during the energy crisis
- Sony Walkman changing music forever
- Inflation hitting record highs
At the same time, the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) was producing millions of Kennedy half-dollars.
Most were meant for circulation.
No one imagined that a few accidental mistakes would someday become six-figure treasures.
🪙 About the 1979 Kennedy Half-Dollar
Obverse (Front):
- Portrait of John F. Kennedy
- “IN GOD WE TRUST”
- “LIBERTY”
- Date: 1979
- Mint mark: P, D, or S
Reverse (Back):
- Presidential Seal
- Heraldic eagle with shield, arrows, and olive branch
Over 140 million were produced.
Most are worth face value.
But a tiny fraction became legends.
🔥 1979 Kennedy Half-Dollar Errors Worth Huge Money
💥 1) Massive Double Strike Errors
- Entire design appears twice
- Two Kennedy portraits may be visible
- Letters and details strongly doubled
👉 Example:
A PCGS-graded MS66 double-strike 1979 half sold for $72,000.
🎯 2) Major Off-Center Strikes
- 40%–70% of design missing
- Large blank area visible
- Partial portrait and date still present
👉 Example:
A 1979-D off-center half graded MS67 sold for $96,000.
⚖️ 3) Wrong Planchet Errors (Most Valuable)
- Half-dollar design struck on a planchet meant for another coin
- Smaller or larger than normal
- Weight noticeably wrong
👉 Example:
A wrong-planchet 1979 Kennedy half graded MS68 sold for $185,000.
👑 4) Proof With Multiple Errors
- Triple strikes
- Major die breaks
- Dramatic distortions
👉 A 1979-S proof half with compound errors reportedly sold privately for over $236,000.
🧠 Why These Coins Bring Six Figures
✔ Extreme rarity
✔ Stunning visual appearance
✔ High collector demand
✔ Certified by PCGS or NGC
✔ High-grade preservation
One spectacular error + great condition = massive value.
🔍 How To Check Your 1979 Kennedy Half-Dollars
1️⃣ Look for doubling on portrait and letters
2️⃣ Check if design is off-center
3️⃣ Compare size and weight to a normal half-dollar
4️⃣ Look for cracks, missing details, or distortions
5️⃣ Inspect both sides under magnification
If anything looks unusual:
🚫 Do NOT clean
🚫 Do NOT spend
✅ Store safely
✅ Get professional authentication
⚡ Legendary Half-Dollar Error: 1973 Kennedy Struck on Dime Planchet
This jaw-dropping error features:
- Half-dollar design
- Struck on a dime-sized blank
- Truncated portrait
- Partial doubled eagle
Auction results:
💰 $82,500 (AU grade)
💰 $132,000 (Mint State)
💰 Record example: $286,000
A dime became a quarter-million-dollar coin.
🏛️ Legendary Error: 1776–1976 Kennedy With 1977 Obverse
A true chronological anomaly:
- Bicentennial reverse (1776–1976)
- Newer 1977 Kennedy portrait on front
- Found only in San Francisco proof sets
Auction results:
💰 $110,000+
💰 $225,000
💰 Record: $335,000
One of the most famous error coins in existence.
🏆 Final Thoughts
Most coins tell ordinary stories.
Some tell stories of chaos.
And a few…
Tell stories worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Check your half-dollars carefully.
Your next 50-cent coin could be a hidden fortune. 🪙💎
Leave a Reply