Price Guide for 1986 Half Dollar Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $282.00
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eBayCirculated: $33.95Uncirculated: $1.99 – $294.89
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $10.00Uncirculated: $5.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $9.00 – $4,817.50
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eBayUncirculated: $1.99 – $2,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $10.00Uncirculated: $5.00 – $4,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $575.00
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eBayCirculated: $8.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $202.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $46.00
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eBayUncirculated: $20.50
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eBayCirculated: $27.00 – $43.50Uncirculated: $100.00
Design and Specifications of the 1986 Half Dollar
The 1986 Kennedy Half Dollar continued the series that began in 1964 to honor President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. 1986 marked the 23rd year of the Kennedy Half Dollar, which had become more of a collector’s item than a circulating coin by this time.
Despite being minted in large numbers, these coins were rarely seen in circulation due to their popularity among collectors and the public’s tendency to hold onto them as keepsakes.
| Weight | 11.34 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.61 mm |
| Mint Marks | P, D, S |
| Composition | 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel clad over pure copper core |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of John F. Kennedy facing left, designed by Gilroy Roberts |
| Reverse Design | Presidential Seal, designed by Frank Gasparro |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition plays a crucial role in the value of 1986 Kennedy Half Dollars. While these coins are common in circulated grades, their value increases significantly in higher uncirculated grades.
For circulation strikes, coins in MS65 and MS66 are readily available, but MS67 and above are scarce and command premium prices. Proof coins are generally well-preserved, with PR69 being common, but PR70 examples are scarce and highly sought after.
Factors such as strong strike, full luster, and absence of contact marks are crucial for achieving higher grades and values.
Mintage: 10,714,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, mainly for high-grade specimens
Mintage: 10,960,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, mainly for high-grade specimens
Mintage: 3,010,102
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to PR69, scarce in PR70
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, mainly for perfect PR70 specimens
Toning can significantly impact the value of 1986 Kennedy Half Dollars. Coins with attractive, natural toning patterns are often more desirable to collectors and can command higher premiums.
Full Steps (visible lines on the steps of Monticello) is not applicable to Kennedy Half Dollars, but Full Bell Lines (FBL) on earlier Franklin Half Dollars can be used as an analogy for strike quality on Kennedy Half Dollars. Coins with sharp, well-defined details, especially on Kennedy’s hair and the eagle’s feathers, are more valuable.
While not particularly rare, 1986 Kennedy Half Dollars in pristine condition are becoming increasingly valuable as more collectors seek to complete high-grade sets of the series.
