Half Dollar · 1979
1979 Half Dollar Value
A 1979 half dollar is worth $0.52 to $1.97 in circulated condition, depending on its mint mark and wear.
Prices updated:
About the 1979 half dollar
The 1979 half dollar is a regular circulation issue, struck in copper-nickel clad copper (91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel), weighing 11.34 g, 30.61 mm across, from a design by Gilroy Roberts. It was struck at Philadelphia, Denver — 84,127,422 coins in all.
For scale, 1979 mintage was 70% lower than in 1974, when 280,662,300 were struck.
Denver made the fewest at 15,815,422, against 68,312,000 from Philadelphia — a 4-to-1 difference, and the one number on this page most likely to matter if the date is ever collected seriously.
Value chart by grade
| Mint mark | Mintage | G | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No mint mark | 68,312,00068.3M | $0.52 | $0.52 | $0.52 | $0.74 | $0.81 | $0.98 | $1.97 |
| D | 15,815,42215.8M | $0.52 | $0.52 | $0.52 | $0.54 | $0.68 | $1.05 | $1.77 |
What the grades mean
Grades run G to UNC, then MS60–MS70, where most value sits. How coin grading works →
How to identify your 1979 half dollar
What if it has already been cleaned?
Still identifies the same — you lose the premium. Don't try to fix it.
Where is the mint mark
It sits on the obverse below Kennedy's neck (1968 onward); on the reverse below the eagle for earlier issues. No letter means Philadelphia — normal, not rare. What the letter means →
Proof and collector versions
Alongside the coins made for circulation, the Mint sold 2 collector versions of the 1979 1979 half dollar — proofs and special finishes struck at San Francisco and sold directly in sets.These never entered circulation, so if your coin came out of a till or a jar it is not one of them. They carry an S mint mark and a mirror or satin finish that is obvious next to an ordinary coin. The scarcest was struck in 3,677,175.
| Format | Mint | Mintage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1; Proof | S | 3,677,1753.7M | $2.70 |
| Type 2; Proof | S | —— | $12.11 |
What to do with your 1979 half dollar
Don't clean it
Leave the surface alone — see the warning above.
Is it worth grading?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. Against a mintage of 84,127,422 and a best circulated value of $1.97, the fee is more than the coin returns. Keep it raw unless it is exceptional or you suspect a variety.
Where to sell
Dealer: fastest, pays least. Auction: best for coins worth $100+. eBay: most buyers, most fees.
Specifications
½ Dollar "Kennedy Half Dollar"
- Composition
- Copper-nickel clad copper (91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel)
- Weight
- 11.34 g
- Diameter
- 30.61 mm
- Thickness
- 2.15 mm
- Edge
- Reeded
- Designer
- Gilroy Roberts
- Mints
- United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States Mint of Denver, United States Mint of San Francisco (collector issues only)
FAQ
How much is a 1979 half dollar worth?
A circulated 1979 half dollar is worth $0.52 to $1.97 depending on condition and mint mark.
How many 1979 half dollars were made?
About 84,127,422 in total — Philadelphia 68,312,000, Denver 15,815,422.
Are there rare 1979 half dollar varieties?
No varieties are catalogued for this date.
What is the S half dollar from 1979?
An S mint mark on a 1979 half dollar means a collector coin from San Francisco — 2 proof and special-finish versions were sold in sets rather than released into circulation. The scarcest was struck in 3,677,175. They are not found in change.
Should I get my 1979 half dollar graded?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. For this date the best circulated examples guide at $1.97, from a mintage of 84,127,422 — the fee is many times what the coin returns, so keep it raw unless you suspect a genuine error.
More on half dollars
1973 Half Dollar1974 Half Dollar1976 Half Dollar1977 Half Dollar1983 Half Dollar1984 Half Dollar