The 2008 Kennedy half dollar marks a historic turning point as the final year of regular circulation production, with Philadelphia and Denver mints each producing just 1,700,000 coins – the lowest mintage for circulation strikes in the entire Kennedy series.
This dramatic production decline occurred during the global financial crisis, creating natural scarcity that collectors recognize today.
That year introduced Satin Finish varieties alongside traditional proof coins, offering unprecedented collecting opportunities across multiple mint facilities. 2008 half dollar range in value from specimens worth only face value to perfect pieces worth thousands of dollars.
2008 Half Dollar Value By Variety
This is a reference chart of the valuesof 2008 United States half dollars, showing the market estimates for different versions and condition grades.
2008 Half Dollar Value Chart
| TYPE | GOOD | FINE | AU | MS | PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 P Half Dollar Value | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $25.29 | — |
| 2008 D Half Dollar Value | $0.97 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $13.33 | — |
| 2008 S Silver DCAM Half Dollar Value | — | — | — | — | $16.89 |
| 2008 S DCAM Half Dollar Value | — | — | — | — | $4.78 |
| 2008 P Satin Finish SP Half Dollar Value | — | — | — | $14.00 | — |
| 2008 D Satin Finish SP Half Dollar Value | — | — | — | $11.62 | — |
Tip: The 2000 Satin Finish is graded SP (Specimen), not MS. Listed under MS for formatting only.
Use our CoinValueChecker App for real-time variety identification and current market values.
History Of The 2008 Half Dollar
The 2008 half dollar continues America’s longest coin series, the Kennedy half dollar. This series started in 1963 after President Kennedy died. By 2008, people rarely used half dollars in daily life. They mainly served as collector items and ceremony pieces.
The U.S. Mint made coins at both Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) facilities. Few people actually used these coins in stores. The coins kept the classic Kennedy design. The front shows the president’s face. The back displays the presidential seal. Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro created these designs.
The 2008 series offered special collector editions too. These included Deep Cameo proof versions and satin finish coins. Special mint sets contained these premium pieces. They had better striking quality and mirror-like surfaces. Coin collectors loved these features.
The mint also made silver versions for collector sets. These coins contained 90% silver, like coins before 1965. The mint produced fewer 2008 half dollars than other coins. This showed how little people used them for shopping.
The 2008 half dollar connects two roles. It links the coin’s past as real money with its present role as a collectible. Today it honors one of America’s most loved presidents.
Also Read: 10 Most Historic Years of Kennedy Half Dollar (1964-2025).
Is Your 2008 Half Dollar Rare?
2008-P Half Dollar
2008-D Half Dollar
2008-S Silver DCAM Half Dollar
2008-S DCAM Half Dollar
2008-P Satin Finish SP Half Dollar
2008-D Satin Finish SP Half Dollar
The Philadelphia and Denver mints produced standard circulation half dollars in 2008. The Denver version ranks higher at 149th place compared to Philadelphia’s 283rd position. This difference is primarily due to the number of top-grade examples. High-grade examples of the Denver version are more difficult to find.
Silver Deep Cameo proof coins from San Francisco rank at 185th place. Regular Deep Cameo proofs without silver content rank much lower at 428th position. Such a large gap suggests that people prefer coins with added precious metals.
Special mint sets included satin finish coins from both facilities. The Philadelphia satin finish version ranks at 158th place. The Denver equivalent sits at 299th position. These coins appeal to collectors who want something beyond regular circulation strikes.
The 2008 half dollar rarity ranking reflects several key factors. First, the half dollar is rarely used in daily circulation, resulting in low overall demand. Second, special editions are expensive to produce, naturally limiting their production. Finally, collectors’ preferences for products from different mints also influence rarity assessments.
Use the CoinValueChecker App to discover where your Kennedy half dollars rank and check their current market values.
The Kennedy Half Dollar Rarity Ranking (Top 100) reveals the most sought-after coins in this long-running series.
Key Features Of The 2008 Half Dollar
The 2008 half dollar showcases classic American design elements and precise craftsmanship. This coin maintains the iconic Kennedy imagery while displaying specific technical specifications that define its identity.
Understanding these features helps collectors identify authentic pieces and appreciate their historical significance. Let’s explore the detailed characteristics of both sides and the coin’s physical properties.
The Obverse Of The 2008 Half Dollar
The front features President Kennedy’s left-facing profile at the center. “LIBERTY” curves along the top edge, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears on the left side. The year “2008” sits at the bottom right. The mint mark (P,D,S) appears below Kennedy’s neck area.
Gilroy Roberts designed this side, capturing Kennedy’s youthful appearance. Fine details include hair texture and facial features. The rim creates a clean border around all elements. Each letter and number shows sharp, clear definition in well-struck examples.
The Reverse Of The 2008 Half Dollar
The presidential seal dominates the center of the back side. An eagle holds arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top edge. “HALF DOLLAR” appears at the bottom in bold letters.
Fifty stars surround the eagle in a circular pattern. Frank Gasparro created this detailed design in 1964. The eagle’s wings spread wide across the central space. A shield covers the eagle’s chest with vertical stripes. The overall composition balances patriotic symbols with artistic appeal.
Other Features Of The 2008 Half Dollar
The 2008 half dollar measures 30.61 millimeters in diameter and weighs 11.30 grams. Regular versions contain copper-nickel clad composition with a pure copper core. The coin has a thickness of 2.15 millimeters and features a reeded edge with 150 ridges.
Special silver versions contain 90% silver and 10% copper. The Philadelphia and Denver mints produced circulation strikes and Satin finish specimens. San Francisco created proof versions with mirror-like surfaces.
2008 Half Dollar Mintage & Survival Data
2008 Half Dollar Mintage & Survival Chart
Survival Distribution
| Type | Mintage | Survival | Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1,700,000 | unknown | unknown |
| D | 1,700,000 | unknown | unknown |
| S DCAM | 1,405,674 | unknown | unknown |
| S Silver DCAM | 763,887 | unknown | unknown |
| P Satin Finish SP | 745,464 | unknown | unknown |
| D Satin Finish SP | 745,464 | unknown | unknown |
The 2008 half dollar production shows interesting patterns across different versions. Regular coins from Philadelphia and Denver mints each reached 1.7 million pieces. These represent the standard coins meant for everyday use, though few actually entered circulation.
The San Francisco mint also created premium versions with much smaller numbers. Silver Deep Cameo proofs totaled about 764,000 pieces. Regular Deep Cameo proofs reached 1.4 million. Satin finish coins from both mints matched at 745,464 each. These special versions cost more usually and targeted collectors specifically.
Today, no one knows how many 2008 half dollars remain in existence. Most common coins are likely stored in bank vaults or private collections. This leaves their true rarity uncertain. Collectors can only speculate which versions will appreciate in value over time.
Want to see which Kennedy half dollars have the best survival records? Check out the Kennedy Half Dollar Survival Ranking (Top 100) to discover the rarest survivors in the entire series.
2008 Half Dollar Grading
The 2008 half dollar follows the Sheldon Scale grading system used by all major coin grading services. This 70-point scale ranges from Poor-1 to Perfect Mint State-70.
Graders examine the coin using a magnifying glass and specialized lighting. They first check for wear and surface preservation. Next, they examine the luster quality.
A pristine coin should display a complete wheel pattern, free of breakage or dulling. Mint quality is crucial. Finely struck coins exhibit sharp, crisp details. Weakly struck coins, even those graded highly, may lack these fine details.
MS-60 to MS-63 coins show noticeable contact marks. MS-64 to MS-66 examples have fewer distractions. MS-67 and higher grades require exceptional surfaces with minimal marks. Proof coins use PR grades with similar standards.
Graded coins come in sealed holders with official grades. Raw coins lack professional authentication. The CoinValueChecker APP helps you estimate grades before submitting coins for professional evaluation.
Want to master the grading process yourself? Learn the complete system with our detailed guide: How to Grade Kennedy Half Dollar.
2008 Half Dollar Value Guides
The 2008 half dollar series offers collectors six distinct varieties across three mint facilities.
- 2008-P Half Dollar – Philadelphia mint regular circulation strike
- 2008-D Half Dollar – Denver mint regular circulation strike
- 2008-S Silver DCAM Half Dollar – San Francisco silver proof with deep cameo finish
- 2008-S DCAM Half Dollar – San Francisco clad proof with deep cameo finish
- 2008-P Satin Finish SP Half Dollar – Philadelphia special mint set coin with satin texture
- 2008-D Satin Finish SP Half Dollar – Denver special mint set coin with satin texture
Regular circulation coins from Philadelphia and Denver represent the most common types. San Francisco produced two proof versions with deep cameo contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields. The silver proof contains 90% silver content while the clad version uses standard copper-nickel composition.
Satin finish coins feature unique texture created through special polishing techniques. Each variety targets different collector preferences and budgets.
2008-P Half Dollar Value
The 2008-P half dollar has extremely low production. Only 1.7 million pieces were minted. Most 2008-P half dollars likely remain well-preserved due to lack of circulation. However, very few specimens can meet MS68 standards. This situation creates a rarity foundation for the 2008-P.
Yet the dual rarity of low mintage and high grades cannot free the 2008-P half dollar from modern coin value limits. Modern coins have shorter minting histories. In comparison, 1964 silver versions or classic key dates like 1970-D have deeper historical backgrounds and collecting traditions, make it more popular among collectors.
In August 2014, an MS68 specimen sold for $1,410. This price is not considered top-tier within the Kennedy half dollar series. While this coin has rarity characteristics, its value performance remains moderate in a mature series with many classic varieties. This represents a normal market reaction.
2008-P Half Dollar Price/Grade Chart
Price by 1-70 Grade (Latest Auction Records Included)
