Half Dollar · 1996
1996 Half Dollar Value
A 1996 half dollar is worth $0.53 to $1.99 in circulated condition, depending on its mint mark and wear.
Prices updated:
About the 1996 half dollar
The 1996 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 Denver, Philadelphia — 49,186,000 coins in all.
For scale, 1996 mintage was 82% lower than in 1974, when 280,662,300 were struck.
Philadelphia made the fewest at 24,442,000, against 24,744,000 from Denver.
Value chart by grade
| Mint mark | Mintage | G | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | 24,744,00024.7M | — | $0.53 | $0.57 | $0.60 | $0.60 | $0.97 | $1.93 |
| No mint mark | 24,442,00024.4M | $0.56 | $0.56 | $0.56 | $0.56 | $0.74 | $0.78 | $1.99 |
What the grades mean
Grades run G to UNC, then MS60–MS70, where most value sits. How coin grading works →
How to identify your 1996 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 1 collector version of the 1996 1996 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 2,085,191.
| Format | Mint | Mintage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof | S | 2,085,1912.1M | $5.28 |
What to do with your 1996 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 49,186,000 and a best circulated value of $1.99, 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 1996 half dollar worth?
A circulated 1996 half dollar is worth $0.53 to $1.99 depending on condition and mint mark.
How many 1996 half dollars were made?
About 49,186,000 in total — Denver 24,744,000, Philadelphia 24,442,000.
Are there rare 1996 half dollar varieties?
No varieties are catalogued for this date.
What is the S half dollar from 1996?
An S mint mark on a 1996 half dollar means a collector coin from San Francisco — 1 proof and special-finish versions were sold in sets rather than released into circulation. The scarcest was struck in 2,085,191. They are not found in change.
Should I get my 1996 half dollar graded?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. For this date the best circulated examples guide at $1.99, from a mintage of 49,186,000 — the fee is many times what the coin returns, so keep it raw unless you suspect a genuine error.
More on half dollars
1983 Half Dollar1984 Half Dollar1986 Half Dollar1990 Half Dollar1997 Half Dollar1999 Half Dollar