1970-D 50C MS66 Certification #26687760, PCGS #6713

Jaime Hernandez

The 1970-D Kennedy Half Dollar was only sold in Mint Sets from that year. Just over two million coins were sold, making it the lowest mintage business strike Kennedy Half Dollar from 1964 to 2005 (2006 mintages are slightly lower).

The issue price of a 1970 Mint Set was about $2.50. Each 1970 Mint Set contained 10 coins with a face value of $1.33. Tens of thousands of sets have been opened primarily to retrieve the 1970 Kennedy Half Dollar.

In 1970, Denver was the only Mint which produced mint state Kennedy Half Dollars. Proof coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint only, and can be distinguished by the S mint mark. 1970 was the last year in which the Mint produced business strike half dollars containing silver. Silver Proofs were reintroduced in 1992.

Kennedy Half Dollar Compositions

• Business strike 1964 Kennedy half’s are composed of 90% silver
• From 1965 – 1970, business strike Kennedy half dollars contained 40% silver and 60% copper.
• From 1971 to date, circulation strike Kennedy half dollars are primarily composed of copper and nickel, also known as clad.