Do you own a 1991 Kennedy half dollar and wonder if it’s worth anything? Are you curious whether you’re holding a rare coin in your hands? Our guide will answer all your questions about the 1991 half dollar value.
We’ll walk you through the interesting history of the Kennedy half dollar and the key features to look out for when grading your coin. We’ll also reveal high-value minting errors that are worth a spot in your collection.
So, let’s jump in and find out: How much is a 1991 half dollar worth?
1991 Half Dollar Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1991-P Half Dollar Value | $0.55 | $0.55 | $0.55 | $200 |
| 1991-D Half Dollar Value | $0.55 | $0.55 | $0.55 | $400 |
| 1991-S Proof Half Dollar Value | – | – | – | $30 |
History of the 1991 Half Dollar
The 1991 half dollar was minted at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints and had one of the lowest mintages in the entire Kennedy half dollar series, except for a few dates minted after 1998.
The United States Mint first struck the Kennedy half dollar in 1964, only a few months after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the coin was intended to commemorate the late president. Soon after receiving the news, Mint Director Eva Adams consulted with Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts and his assistant Frank Gasparro about the possibility of designing a new coin in honor of the slain leader.
As the coin needed to be struck fast, Roberts and Gasparro used the designs they had earlier created for medals for the Presidential Series. This saved them the time they would have required to create new designs. For the Presidential medals, Roberts had created the obverse design, featuring Kennedy’s portrait, while Gasparro had designed the reverse, which showcased the heraldic eagle. Kennedy had approved both the heads and tails designs before his untimely demise.
In December 1963, a bill was introduced to approve the production of a Kennedy half dollar. The bill was passed on December 30, paving the way for the production of the new Kennedy halves in January 1964. Initially, the Mint struck only proof coins, but the production of business strikes began soon afterward, first at the Denver Mint and then in Philadelphia.
The Mint released into circulation the new Kennedy half dollars in mid-March 1964 to a high public demand for the commemorative silver coins. Despite releasing millions and even increasing production in subsequent years, Kennedy half dollars never circulated widely as they were hoarded first for their silver content and then for their historical and sentimental value. Even after the Mint eliminated the silver content in 1970, the coins still didn’t circulate widely. By the early 1990s, the production of Kennedy half dollars began slowing down, and this can be seen by the progressively lower mintages over the years since the coin was first minted in 1964.
The 1991 half dollar is highly collectible in all grades, including Mint State. Gems are somewhat difficult to find but are equally rewarding to add to any collection.
Features of the 1991 Half Dollar
Now that you know the origins of the Kennedy half dollar, let’s take a look at the standout features of the 1991 issue. Knowing these features can help you authenticate and accurately grade your coins and identify Kennedy halves worth good money.
Here’s what to look out for:
Obverse of the 1991 Half Dollar
The obverse features Kennedy’s left-facing portrait. The word LIBERTY is inscribed above the portrait in an arch, while the date, 1991, appears at the bottom along the rim.
The national motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, is etched across the coin’s surface at the truncation of Kennedy’s portrait.
The mintmark P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), or S (San Francisco) is nestled between the two nines in 1991.
Reverse of the 1991 Half Dollar
On the reverse is the image of a heraldic eagle surrounded by stars that represent the states. In its beak, the eagle clinches a flag inscribed with the Latin phrase, E PLURIBUS UNUM, which means “Out of Many, One.”
A shield on the eagle’s chest represents strength in the unity between the federal and state governments. In its left talon, the eagle holds an olive branch, which symbolizes peace, while the arrows in the right talon represent victory.
Rays of sunlight emerging from behind the eagle are symbolic of hope and a new dawn. Billows of cloud crown the rays as though providing a shade against the intense heat or light from the sun.
The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are inscribed in an arch on the coin’s top half, while the denomination is etched along the rim on the coin’s lower surface.
Other Features of the 1991 Half Dollar
Additional features of the 1991 halves include:
- Diameter: 30.61 millimeters
- Weight: 11.30 grams
- Edge: 150 Reeds
- Metal Composition:75% Copper, 25% Nickel over a pure Copper center
Also read: 13 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money
1991 Half Dollar Value Guides
So, how much is a 1991 half dollar worth? The value of your Kennedy half dollar will depend on factors such as the coin’s condition, mintmark, mintage, and unique minting errors that can increase the coin’s value.
The 1991 Kennedy halves were minted in Philadelphia and Denver, but the San Francisco mint struck proof coins, too. We’ll look at the three varieties of the coin:
- 1991-P Half Dollar
- 1991-D Half Dollar
- 1991-S Half Dollar
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how much each is worth:
1991-P Half Dollar Value
The Philadelphia Mint struck about 14,874,000 half dollars in 1991. Although seemingly a high mintage, this was one of the lowest mintages in the series, except for a few dates after 1998 when production drastically slowed down. That said, worn examples are plentiful, as are Mint State examples up to grade MS65.
Here’s what to expect when collecting 1991-P Half Dollars:
- Circulated Examples: These are common and affordable in all grades. So commonplace are these halves that a Poor/Average example is worth more or less as an About Uncirculated (AU) piece, selling for up to $.055.
- Mint State Examples: Uncirculated 1991 halves are also plentiful and accessible to any collector up to grade MS65. In MS60, examples can sell for up to $0.75, although the prices rise to $3 for an MS63. In MS64, specimens can fetch as much as $7.50, while scarce gems in MS65 are worth about $15. Examples in MS66 can sell for as much as $30 and can be difficult to find but still collectible, but MS67 examples, which can fetch up to $200, are rare, with very few known survivors.
- Auction Record: In a record-breaking auction in 2009, Heritage Auctions sold an MS64 for a remarkable $1,093, making this one of the most valuable examples of the 1991 half dollar.
1991-D Half Dollar Value
The Denver Mint had a slightly higher mintage of 15,054,678 1991 half dollars. These coins were generally well-struck and are very common in all grades, except for gems in MS67 and higher.
Here’s a breakdown of the value of 1991-D Kennedy halves:
- Circulated Examples: These are plentiful and easy to add to any collection in all grades. In Good (G) to Extremely Fine (XF) condition, examples are worth about $0.55, but the price rises slightly to $0.65 for pieces graded About Uncirculated (AU58).
- Mint State Examples: Uncirculated examples are common in lower grades but become scarce from grade MS65 and higher. In MS60, examples sell for as much as $0.75, and prices increase to about $3 in MS63. In MS64, pieces can fetch up to $7.50 and at least $15 in MS65. Gems in MS66 and higher are genuinely rare, which is reflected by the jump in prices to $150 and up to $400 in MS67.
- Auction Record: In a 2008 sale, Heritage Auctions sold an MS67 for a remarkable $920.
1991-S Proof Half Dollar Value
The San Francisco Mint produced only proof half dollars in 1990. With a mintage of 2,867,787, there are enough 1902-S proof halves to meet collectors’ demand. Like their business strike counterparts, the proofs were generally well struck, and finding Cameo and Deep Cameo specimens isn’t so difficult.
Let’s break down the value of 1991-S proof Kennedy half dollars:
- Regular proofs: These are plentiful and affordable in all grades. In PF60, examples are worth about $1.25 and as much as $3.35 in PF64. Gems in PF65 can fetch up to $5, and as much as $15 in PF68, while the most desirable examples graded PF70 can command up to $30.
- Cameo (CAM): Cameo examples are accessible and can meet collectors’ demand. Prices in PF60 are about $1.50 and rise to $4 in PF64. In PF66, specimens can sell for as much as $8.50 and up to $17.50 in PF67.
- Deep Cameo (DCAM): Deep or Ultra Cameo examples are scarcer than their cameo counterparts but are still collectible in all grades. In PF60, examples sell for as much as $1.75 and up to $3.50 in PF63. Specimens graded MS65 can fetch up to $8.50 and as much as $12.50 in PF66. In PF68, you can expect up to $22.50 and as much as $65 in PF70. In a record-breaking sale in 2010, Heritage Auctions sold a PF70 for an impressive $690, making this one of the most valuable examples of a 1991 DCAM half dollar.
Also read: 11 Most Valuable Half Dollars In Circulation
1991 Half Dollar Grading
When grading a 1991 Kennedy half dollar, you should pay attention to the wear on high-contact points, strike details, and surface quality. Examine the areas that wear the fastest, including the top of Kennedy’s hair, as well as his jawline and cheekbone.
On the reverse, the fastest-wearing points include the shield lines, the eagle’s wing, the feather wings, and the talons. The inscriptions on either side of the coin, including LIBERTY, 1991, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and HALF DOLLAR, may also be faint in heavily worn, lower-grade coins. On higher-grade half dollars, the details will be more visible and defined.
The strike quality is superior in uncirculated or higher-grade coins and weaker on worn examples. In Mint State, coins will display original mint luster while Gems will show frosted devices and satiny surfaces. On the other hand, lower-grade examples will have a duller surface, and some may show surface damage, such as dings, dents, and scratches.
Check out this video for more tips on grading the Kennedy half dollar.
Rare 1991 Half Dollar Errors List
The 1991 half dollars were generally well struck, although a few minting errors do show up in the series. Here are some worth adding to your collection:
1. 1991 Half Dollar Doubled Die Error
A doubled die error occurs when the die strikes the planchet multiple times at slightly different angles, resulting in the doubling of the design elements and inscriptions on either side of the coin. Stronger, visible doubling is generally more valuable and can add $10-$50 to the value of your half dollar. For example, in 2020, a collector on eBay paid $30 for a rare MS63 with an obverse and reverse doubled die error.
2. 1991 Half Dollar Rotated Die Error
Another error found in the 1991 half dollar series is the rotated die error, which occurs when the dies are misaligned. Instead of the die striking the planchet upright, it strikes at a rotated angle on one or both sides of the coin. Dramatic rotations are usually more valuable; for example, a 50-degree rotated die error can be more valuable than one rotated at 5 degrees. In 2015, Stack’s Bowers auctioned an MS65 with a rotated die error for an impressive $250.
3. 1991 Half Dollar Repunched Mint Mark Error
A re-punched mintmark happens when the mintmark is punched into the working die more than once, at slightly different positions, usually because a Mint worker was trying to correct an error. The re-punching can create doubling or a ghost outline around the mintmark. In 2017, a collector paid $20 for an MS64 with a re-punched mintmark error.
Where to Sell Your 1991 Half Dollar?
Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.
Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)
FAQs
How much is a 1991 half dollar worth today?
The value of a 1991 half dollar depends on the mintmark, mintage, and rarity. Common, circulated examples can sell for $0.55 to $0.65, which is more or less the coin’s face value. But prices can shoot to as much as $400 for rare gems graded MS67 and higher.
Is a 1991 half dollar rare?
No. Like most Kennedy half dollars, the 1991 date is not rare except for gem examples in MS66 and higher. Worn examples are plentiful, and Mint State survivors up to MS65 are enough to meet collectors’ demand.
How do I know if my 1990 Kennedy Half Dollar is valuable?
Generally, circulated Kennedy half dollars are worth more or less the face value. However, you might have a rare coin if it displays full, original mint luster. These higher-grade uncirculated coins can command premium prices. If your 1991 half dollar has a unique minting error, such as a misaligned die, doubled die, or re-punched mintmark, it could also be worth significantly more than face value and can be a valuable addition to any collection.
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