The year 2004 witnessed one of America’s most contentious presidential elections in modern history. George W. Bush narrowly defeated John Kerry with just a 2.4% popular vote margin—the smallest ever for a re-elected incumbent president. At the time, Bush received the most popular votes in history, yet these commemorative coins bearing Kennedy’s profile were minted exclusively for collectors, marking a dramatic shift from their circulation origins. Against this backdrop of political tension and national division, the 2004 Kennedy half dollar emerged as a quiet testament to American numismatic evolution.
So what stories do these 2004 Kennedy half dollar coins tell, and what value do they hold today? Let’s explore the fascinating intersection of history and value together.
2004 Half Dollar Value By Variety
The 2004 Kennedy half dollar value chart reveals the clear hierarchy between business strikes and proof varieties.
2004 Half Dollar Value Chart
| TYPE | GOOD | FINE | AU | MS | PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 P Half Dollar Value | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $19.29 | — |
| 2004 D Half Dollar Value | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $11.00 | — |
| 2004 S DCAM Half Dollar Value | — | — | — | — | $4.44 |
| 2004 S Silver DCAM Half Dollar Value | — | — | — | — | $16.67 |
Tip: Use our CoinValueChecker App for real-time variety identification and current market values.
History Of The 2004 Half Dollar
The 2004 Kennedy half dollar emerged during a critical transition period in American coinage history. By this year, the Kennedy half dollar had completed its evolution from a circulating memorial coin to a specialized collector’s item, marking the third year since the last half dollars were issued for general circulation in 2001.
Beginning in 2002, the coins were minted in smaller numbers and sold only to collectors at premiums above the face value 2004 S Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Proof Coin Value Prices, Photos & Info, establishing the 2004 edition as part of this new collector-focused era. The U.S. Mint adapted its distribution strategy accordingly, announcing on January 15, 2004, that Kennedy half dollars would be available in special two-roll sets and bags of 200 coins, sold directly to collectors at premium prices 2004 P Kennedy Half Dollar Coin Value Prices, Photos & Info.
The 2004 production maintained the traditional designs created by Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro, continuing the memorial tribute to President Kennedy that began forty years earlier. San Francisco struck only proof coins for collectors 2004 P Kennedy Half Dollar Value – APMEX, while Philadelphia and Denver produced business strikes exclusively for numismatic products rather than circulation.
Also Read: 10 Most Historic Years of Kennedy Half Dollar (1964-2025)
Is Your 2004 Half Dollar Rare?
2004-P Half Dollar
2004-D Half Dollar
2004-S DCAM Half Dollar
2004-S Silver DCAM Half Dollar
The 2004 Kennedy half-dollar varieties demonstrate consistent “Common” classifications across all four production types, reflecting the collector-focused era that began in the early 2000s.
Both Philadelphia and Denver business strikes share identical rarity scores of 11, though they occupy different positions within the Kennedy series hierarchy at ranks 112 and 143 respectively.
The proof varieties from San Francisco show different ranks despite their common status. The standard clad DCAM proof ranks significantly lower at 445th position, while the silver DCAM version achieves a notably higher 426th ranking. This pattern reflects the traditional premium associated with precious metal content, even within the common classification range.
For precise rarity assessment of your specific coins, our CoinValueChecker App provides detailed individual coin evaluations within the complete Kennedy series context.
Understanding where 2004 varieties fit within the broader spectrum becomes essential for serious collectors, making the comprehensive Kennedy Half Dollar Rarity Ranking (Top 100) an invaluable resource for strategic collecting.
Key Features of The 2004 Half Dollar
The 2004 Kennedy half dollar preserves the iconic design elements established forty years earlier, featuring the collaborative work of Chief Engravers Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro.
The Obverse Of The 2004 Half Dollar
The obverse features President John F. Kennedy’s profile facing left, based on a portrait prepared for his presidential medal, designed by Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts. The inscription “LIBERTY” appears along the upper rim, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” is positioned below Kennedy’s truncated profile. The date “2004” is inscribed along the lower rim, with mint marks located beneath the bust when present.
Philadelphia coins bear no mint mark, while Denver pieces display “D” and San Francisco issues show “S” in this critical identification location.
The Reverse Of The 2004 Half Dollar
The reverse depicts the Presidential Seal, featuring a heraldic eagle with a shield holding an olive branch and a bundle of 13 arrows. The bald eagle grasps 13 arrows in its left claw and an olive branch in its right, with the shield protecting the eagle’s chest. Above the eagle, 50 stars form a ring representing the current states, while the olive branch symbolizes peace and the arrows symbolize war.
The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” appear at the top and “HALF DOLLAR” at the bottom, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” displayed on a banner held in the eagle’s beak.
Other Features Of The 2004 Half Dollar
The 2004 Kennedy half dollar maintains standard specifications with a diameter of 30.61 millimeters and weight of 11.34 grams for clad versions, while silver proofs weigh 12.5 grams. The edge contains 150 individual reeds that provide both security features and tactile identification, maintaining consistency with traditional specifications.
The business strikes feature copper-nickel clad composition, while proof versions include both standard clad and 90% silver varieties, each struck with enhanced finishes that create the distinctive cameo contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields.
2004 Half Dollar Mintage & Survival Data
2004 Half Dollar Mintage & Survival Chart
Survival Distribution
| Type | Mintage | Survival | Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2,900,000 | 2,320,000 | 80% |
| D | 2,900,000 | 2,320,000 | 80% |
| S DCAM | 1,789,488 | 1,152,415 | 64.3991% |
| S Sliver DCAM | 1,175,934 | 1,152,415 | 98% |
The 2004 Kennedy half dollar production reveals fascinating insights into modern numismatic preservation patterns. Philadelphia and Denver facilities struck identical quantities of 2,900,000 pieces each, demonstrating the U.S. Mint’s balanced approach to collector-focused production during this post-circulation era.
The survival data tells a compelling story of collector behavior and preservation priorities. Both business strike varieties achieved remarkable 80% survival rates with 2,320,000 estimated survivors each, reflecting the careful handling these coins received as premium collector products rather than circulating currency.
The proof varieties showcase dramatically different preservation dynamics. The silver DCAM proof achieved an exceptional 98% survival rate, demonstrating the premium market’s commitment to preserving precious metal specimens. In contrast, the standard clad DCAM proof shows a more modest 64.4% survival rate despite similar collector-focused distribution methods.
These preservation patterns highlight how composition and perceived value directly influence long-term survival rates in modern Kennedy collecting. For a comprehensive analysis of survival data across all Kennedy varieties and dates, the Kennedy Half Dollar Survival Ranking (Top 100) provides essential comparative intelligence for understanding population dynamics and investment potential throughout the entire series.
2004 Half Dollar Grading
Grading 2004 Kennedy half dollars requires careful evaluation of specific wear points and surface characteristics that determine condition and value.
Professional grading focuses on Kennedy’s cheek, jawbone, hair below the part, and the eagle’s central tail feathers on the reverse, following the standard Sheldon Scale from 1 to 70. The 2004 issues, being collector-focused rather than circulation releases, typically exhibit superior preservation levels compared to earlier circulating varieties.
Collectors should examine coins using magnification to identify surface marks, cleaning damage, and luster disturbances that significantly impact grades.
Business strikes commonly grade MS64 to MS65, while proof varieties achieve PR69 to PR70 designations. The silver proof versions often display exceptional striking quality with deep cameo contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields.
For instant professional-grade assessment of your 2004 Kennedy half dollars, our CoinValueChecker App provides immediate condition evaluation and current market valuations with just a photo scan.
For comprehensive guidance on evaluating all Kennedy varieties and mastering identification techniques, explore our detailed How to Grade Kennedy Half Dollars resource.
2004 Half Dollar Value Guides
2004 Half Dollar Types:
- 2004-P Half Dollar (Philadelphia)
- 2004-D Half Dollar (Denver)
- 2004-S DCAM Half Dollar (San Francisco)
- 2004-S Silver DCAM Half Dollar (San Francisco)
Understanding 2004 Kennedy half dollar values requires recognizing the fundamental shift from circulation-intended coinage to collector-exclusive production. Each variety represents different market segments, from accessible business strikes to premium proof compositions, creating distinct collecting pathways within a single year’s output that appeals to both entry-level enthusiasts and advanced numismatists seeking specialized editions.
2004-P Half Dollar Value
The 2004-P Kennedy half dollar represents Philadelphia’s contribution during the Kennedy series’ transition from circulation to collector-exclusive production. With a controlled mintage of 2,900,000 pieces, this issue marked the third year of the U.S. Mint’s direct-to-collector sales program that began in 2002. Unlike earlier Philadelphia strikes that entered general circulation, these coins were distributed exclusively through mint sets, rolls, and bags sold at premium prices to numismatists.
The Philadelphia facility’s production quality during this period created distinct market opportunities for grade-conscious collectors. Auction records show an MS68 specimen achieving $1,313 at auction in June 2019, demonstrating the premium commanded by exceptional preservation levels.
Besides, the absence of a mint mark distinguishes Philadelphia strikes from their Denver counterparts, while the controlled distribution environment resulted in superior average grades compared to earlier circulation-intended issues.
2004-P Half Dollar Price/Grade Chart
Price by 1-70 Grade (Latest Auction Records Included)
