The 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollar is worth anywhere from $0.50 in circulated condition to over $3,500 for high-grade specimens. While most found in change are only worth face value, this specific year is famous among collectors because these coins were never intended for general circulation.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS60-MS63) | $5.00 – $15.00 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS65+) | $40.00 – $150.00 |
| Superb Gem (MS67) | $600.00+ |
Why the 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollar Is Special
If you have stumbled upon a 1987 Kennedy Half Dollar with a small “D” near the date, you might have something more interesting than a standard fifty-cent piece. Most people assume that any coin they find in a jar or at a bank was minted for everyone to use.
However, in 1987, the U.S. Mint decided not to release half dollars into general circulation. This means that if you want to know what your coin is worth, you should use the best coin identifier app to check its specific condition and luster.
Because these were only sold in Official Mint Sets, they are technically “NIFC” (Not Intended For Circulation). Finding one in your pocket change usually means someone broke open an official collector set to spend the money.
The Denver Mint produced exactly 2,890,758 of these coins. While nearly three million sounds like a lot, it is a tiny fraction of the hundreds of millions minted in other years. If you are examining your collection, using an app like CoinHix can help you determine if your coin has the “Mint State” look required to fetch a premium price.
Understanding the Grade and 1987-D Half Dollar Price
The value of any 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollar is dictated almost entirely by its grade. Since these coins didn’t spend decades rattling around in pockets, many of them are still in “Uncirculated” condition.
The numismatic community uses a scale from 1 to 70 to grade coins. A coin that looks perfect to the naked eye but has microscopic scratches falls into the MS63 to MS65 range. These are common and usually sell for roughly $5 to $20.
However, once you reach MS67 or MS68, the price skyrockets. Collectors are willing to pay thousands for a coin that was preserved perfectly within its original plastic packaging. You can find more detailed data on current Kennedy Half Dollar market rates to see how the Denver and Philadelphia versions compare in top-tier grades.
| Sheldon Grade | Description | 1987-D Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS60-62 | Typical Uncirculated | $3 – $8 |
| MS63-64 | Select Uncirculated | $10 – $25 |
| MS65 | Gem Uncirculated | $45 – $60 |
| MS66 | High Gem | $120 – $200 |
| MS67+ | Museum Quality | $750 – $3,500+ |
Identifying Rare 1987-D Half Dollar Error Varieties
While the 1987-D is already rare due to its low mintage, error hunters look for even more specific details. Errors occur during the minting process and can make a common coin worth hundreds of dollars.
Common errors for this year include “Double Dies,” “Repunched Mint Marks,” and “Off-Center Strikes.” If you see a doubling of the letters in “LIBERTY” or the date, you might have a valuable double die obverse.
Using a tool like CoinHix allows you to zoom in on high-resolution photos of your coin to compare them with known error types. Because these coins were mostly packaged in sets, they didn’t suffer the “bag marks” that typical circulating coins do, making it easier to spot genuine mint errors.
Another thing to look for is the “No FG” error, though it is much more famous on the 1982-P. Always check the reverse for the initials “FG” (Frank Gasparro) between the eagle’s tail and right leg. If they are missing due to over-polished dies, the value could increase significantly. Use a detailed 1987 coin value guide to see if your specific variety matches these high-paying errors.
Denver vs. Philadelphia: Which 1987 Half Dollar is Better?
In 1987, both the Denver (D) and Philadelphia (P) mints produced half dollars in nearly equal amounts. Specifically, Philadelphia minted 2,890,758 coins, which is exactly the same as Denver.
Since the mintages are identical, their values are usually pegged to the same level. However, auction history sometimes shows that one mint might be harder to find in a perfect MS67 grade than the other.
In the collector market, “eye appeal” is king. A 1987-D with a beautiful golden or rainbow tone will always outsell a white coin with dull surfaces. If you are unsure which mint mark you have, look for the ‘D’ or ‘P’ just above the date in the center of the coin.
| Mint Mark | Mint City | Mintage | Common Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Denver | 2,890,758 | $5.00 |
| P | Philadelphia | 2,890,758 | $5.00 |
| S | San Francisco (Proof) | 4,227,727 | $10.00 |
The Record-Breaking Sales of the 1987-D Half Dollar
You might be wondering: “If these coins are only worth $5, why did one sell for over $3,000?” The answer lies in the “Population Report.” Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC keep track of every coin they grade.
When a coin is graded at MS67 or MS68, it becomes a “Top Pop” coin, meaning it is one of the finest known examples in existence. High-end collectors who want to build the #1 Kennedy Half Dollar set in the world will bid aggressively on these.
In 2017, an exceptionally clean 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollar graded MS67+ sold at auction for a staggering $3,120. While your coin found in a drawer is unlikely to hit that mark, it is important to handle it by the edges so you don’t damage the surfaces.
If you think your coin has that distinct “fresh from the mint” sparkle, it might be worth sending it in for professional grading. Before you spend the money on grading fees, check the community photos on the CoinHix app to see what a true MS67 looks like.
Should You Spend or Save Your 1987 Kennedy Half Dollar?
The short answer is: Save it. Even though a circulated 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollar isn’t going to fund your retirement, it is still a “key date” in the Kennedy series because of its low mintage and NIFC status.
As time goes on, these coins become harder to find in original Mint Sets, as many sets are broken up. This creates a natural decrease in supply, which can lead to a slow but steady increase in value over the decades.
If you find one at the bank, you have essentially made a 1,000% profit immediately, as the coin is worth at least $5 to any collector. It is one of the few coins from the 1980s that is actually worth more than its face value in almost any condition.
Always store your 1987-D in a PVC-free flip or a plastic capsule. This protects it from humidity and fingerprints, which can cause ugly spotting and lower the resale value. Keeping it in good condition ensures that when you’re ready to sell, you get the highest possible price for this unique piece of American history.
FAQ
Q: Is the 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollar made of silver?
A: No, the 1987-D Kennedy Half Dollar is made of a copper-nickel clad composition (75% copper, 25% nickel over a pure copper core). The U.S. Mint stopped using silver for circulating half dollars after 1970.
Q: How can I tell if my 1987-D Half Dollar is worth a lot of money?
A: Look for a brilliant, mirror-like luster and a lack of scratches on Kennedy’s cheek. If the coin looks absolutely perfect and has no “bag marks” (small nicks from other coins), it could be a high-grade specimen worth $100 or more.
Q: Why isn’t the 1987 Half Dollar in my coin book?
A: Some older coin books or folders might not have a slot for it because it wasn’t a standard circulation issue. However, any modern guide will recognize it as a vital part of the Kennedy Half Dollar collection.
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1987 Kennedy Half Dollar?
A: The mint mark (D, P, or S) is located on the obverse (heads) side, right above the middle of the date “1987.”
Q: Can I find a 1987-P or D in a bank roll?
A: It is possible but rare. Since they were only sold in mint sets, someone would have had to manually take them out of the set and deposit them at a bank. Finding one is considered a “lucky find” for roll hunters.