1987-D 50C MS68 Certification #02636330, PCGS #6752

Type: Kennedy Half Dollar, Type 3, Copper-Nickel Clad (1971- ) Designer: Gilroy Roberts / Frank Gasparro Content: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel over a pure Copper center Weight: 11.30 grams Diameter: 30.61 millimeters Edge: Reeded (150 reeds) Mint: Denver Production Strikes: 2,890,758 General Type Description: Beginning in 1971, all silver was removed from the Half Dollar, in favor of the same copper-nickel clad alloy that had been in use on Dimes and Quarter Dollars since 1965. Mintages remained low relative to all other denominations, with the result that the Half Dollar was seldom used or seen in circulation (a situation that persists today). Though somewhat lengthy, this series is easy and affordable to collect as either circulation strikes, Proofs, or both. Some dates, such as 1987-P and D, 2001-P, 2002-P and D, and others were not issued for circulation but are available only in Mint sets, adding a bit of a challenge. Major varieties include a 1972 No “FG” and a 1974 Doubled Die Obverse. (Source:: Guth, Ron. PCGS CoinFacts) Specific Issue Description: The 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollar is only the second in the series (following the 1970-D) to be produced and sold only via the U.S. Mint in Uncirculated Mint Sets as no regular business strike coins were produced for or released into circulation. As the Mint had announced in advance that that the coins would not go into circulation, this allowed collectors to purchase them directly from the Mint; as a result, production quantities for the 1987 Mint Sets were significantly higher than the previous year. Most 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollars remain in high grade since they should have never entered circulation. Only examples in MS67 grade or higher appear to be scarce with less than several hundred examples surviving. Coins in MS68 condition are considered a condition census, since there are less than a dozen graded by PCGS with none being graded higher. (Source: Hernandez, Jamie. PCGS CoinFacts) Exemplar Notes: This lustrous and lightly toned gem is one of only six graded MS68 with none finer (as of 9/2014) and was acquired 9/2014 from David Shelton.

Jaime Hernandez

The 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollars were only issued in Mint Sets for the year. No 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollars were released into circulation by the U.S Mint. However, the Mint had previously announced that the coins would not go into circulation. This allowed collectors to buy them directly from the Mint. As a result, mintages for the 1987 Mint Sets were significantly higher than the previous year. 

Most 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollars remain in high grade since they should have never entered circulation. Only examples in MS67 grade or higher appear to be scarce with less than several hundred examples surviving. Coins in MS68 condition are considered a condition census, since there are less than a dozen graded by PCGS with none being graded higher.