What is a 1961 Kennedy silver half dollar worth?

Answer 1

Since Kennedy half dollars weren't minted until 1964, a 1963 coin would be quite extraordinary. Both 1963 Franklin half dollars and 1964 Kennedy half dollars are composed of 90% silver and weigh about 0.36 troy ounces. With silver at $13.51 (as of 9/27/07), that equates to a "melt value" of $4.86. Neither of the abovementioned coins are rare, so unless they were uncirculated or better, neither would be worth much more than that.

Answer 2

There can't be a 1963 JFK half dollar because the design wasn't minted until 1964, after his death.

In any case, painting or "colorizing" coins detracts from their collectible value because they're considered to be altered items. And in any case, even undamaged Kennedy halves don't have any special value because so many have been minted. They're pretty much only worth their metal value - as of 10/2010, about $7 for a coin dated 1964 (90% silver), $3.25 for 1965-1970 (40% silver), but just plain old 50 cents for anything from 1971 or later (cupronickel, i.e. 0% silver).

Answer 3

It's a Franklin half dollar. The first Kennedy half was struck in 1964. 1961 is very common date, value is about $15.00.

Answer 4

Double check that coin. Kennedy half dollars didn't come out until 1964. In 1961, it was still the Ben Franklin half, which is currently worth about $11.

Answer 5

50 cents.