Belonging to the Kennedy series produced since 1964, the 1973 half dollar remains a staple of American numismatics.
This specific issue features a copper-nickel clad composition introduced in 1971 as a replacement for silver-containing planchets.
Pure copper forms the inner layer of the coin. An alloy consisting of 75% copper and 25% nickel represents the outer layers.
Weighing exactly 11.34 grams, each specimen follows strict federal standards.
Measuring 30.61 millimeters, the coin diameter stays consistent across all mints.
The piece has a thickness of 2.15 millimeters.
One hundred and fifty reeds feature prominently along the edge.
Designed by Gilroy Roberts, the obverse contains the profile of John F. Kennedy.
The reverse, created by Frank Gasparro, depicts a modified presidential seal of the United States.
Production took place at three distinct mints in 1973: Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S).
Coins having been in circulation (Circulated) are valued exclusively at their face 1973 half dollar value.
Mint | Mark | Mintage | Strike Type |
Philadelphia | None / P | 64,964,000 | Business Strike |
Denver | D | 83,171,400 | Business Strike |
San Francisco | S | 2,760,339 | Proof |
The total mintage for circulation exceeds 148 million pieces.
Such volume eliminates any scarcity of coins in standard preservation.
Value Assessment Depending on Grading
The market price of the 1973 Kennedy Half Dollar is determined by the Sheldon scale.
Specimens without signs of wear (Uncirculated) require a detailed analysis of the surface.
MS63 and MS64 Conditions
Coins in MS63–MS64 grades possess standard mint luster.
Numerous contact marks on the field and portrait are permitted.
The market value of such coins varies from 1 to 4 US dollars.
Professional certification in these grades yields no profit, considering laboratory fees.
MS65 Condition (Gem Uncirculated)
The MS65 grade is characterized by attractive luster and a limited number of defects.
The average price for coins from Philadelphia and Denver ranges from 10 to 18 US dollars.
According to population report statistics, several hundred new samples are certified annually.
This limits price growth, keeping it at the inflation level (approximately 2-3% per year).
MS66 Condition
The MS66 category assumes minimal design distortions.
The value of Philadelphia specimens is approximately 40–60 dollars.
Coins from Denver (1973-D) are valued in a comparable range.
For the 1973-S Proof in a similar grade, the price is about 15 dollars due to the high quality of the original striking, but it’s better to identify it with the coin checker app.
MS67 Condition
MS67 is the threshold value for high market value.
The number of confirmed 1973 (P) specimens in this grade is fewer than 100 units according to PCGS data.
The market price fluctuates from 400 to 1,200 US dollars.
The sharp price increase is caused by the exponential decrease in the number of available coins when transitioning from MS66 to MS67.
Auction Records and Price Dynamics
Actual sales at Heritage and Stack’s Bowers auctions demonstrate the real liquidity of the asset.
In 2011, the record price for a 1973 (P) in MS67 grade reached 2,300 US dollars.
In 2021, a similar specimen was realized for 1,320 US dollars.
A price drop of 42.6% over 10 years was triggered by the increased supply in the top grade.
For Denver coins (1973-D), the record is fixed at 1,500 dollars for an MS67+ in 2022.
1973-S (Proof) coins in PR70 Deep Cameo grade trade in the 150–250 dollar range.
Analysis Period | Average Price ($) | Change (%) |
2010–2014 | 1,850 | Base |
2015–2019 | 1,400 | -24.3% |
2020–2024 | 1,150 | -17.8% |
The total value decrease in the Top Pop segment over 14 years amounted to more than 37%.
Rarity Factors: Dies and Strike Quality
The technical condition of the dies in 1973 influenced the clarity of details.
The Philadelphia issue frequently suffers from poor execution of the central reverse elements.
The lines on the shield and the eagle's feathers often appear smoothed.
Coins possessing a "Full Strike" are encountered extremely rarely.
The presence of radial luster without "milk spots" on the cladding increases the chances for a high grade.
Oxidation of the copper core on the edge does not affect grading but is considered during visual inspection.
Mint Errors and Numismatic Deviations
No major confirmed doubled die varieties (DDO/DDR) were recorded in 1973.
Documented technological errors exist:
Struck on a 25c Planchet: An extremely rare error. The value of such specimens exceeds 500 US dollars.
Clip: Coins with a missing segment of the disk cost from 20 to 100 dollars depending on the defect size.
Indents: Occurring when a foreign object falls under the die. These are valued at 50–150 dollars.
These deviations are accidental production incidents.
They do not form a separate series for mass collecting.
Investment Potential and Liquidity
The liquidity of the 1973 half dollar is distributed unevenly.
Coins in preservation up to MS65 inclusive possess low investment attractiveness.
Expenses for logistics and storage exceed the potential income from resale.
The MS67 segment demonstrates high volatility and the risk of depreciation upon the appearance of new certified units.
The annual price change for MS65 is +0.8%, staying below the US dollar inflation rate.
Realization of top-grade coins takes from 3 to 6 months on specialized platforms.
Parameter | MS60-MS64 | MS65-MS66 | MS67+ |
Demand | Stable | Moderate | Limited |
Sale Time | 1–7 days | 14–30 days | 90+ days |
Profitability | Low | Medium | High (Risky) |
Certification Standardization
A conclusion from PCGS or a coin value app is mandatory for value verification.
Self-assessment of condition by a seller constitutes no legal or financial basis for pricing.
In evaluating Proof coins from San Francisco, contrast (Cameo/Deep Cameo) is key.
The absence of mirror luster on the field with a frosted relief reduces the 1973-S price to the 3–5 dollar level.
The presence of micro-scratches on the plastic slab does not affect the evaluation of the coin itself.
Conclusion
The 1973 half dollar is a mass-produced product of the American monetary system.
A specimen's value is determined exclusively by the absence of defects, recorded by professional experts.
Statistics show an absence of fundamental reasons for explosive price growth in the future.
The mintage fully secures market needs for decades to come.
Any claims regarding the ultra-high value of ordinary 1973 coins lack factual confirmation.
Real transactions exceeding 1,000 dollars concern only unique preservation units from the MS67 population.
For most samples found in bank rolls, the real value remains equal to the face value.