Price Guide for 1988 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.
-
3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3.00 – $253.00
-
eBayCirculated: $3.25Uncirculated: $1.25 – $102.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $10.00Uncirculated: $5.00 – $4,500.00
-
3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1.00 – $480.00
-
eBayUncirculated: $2.25 – $200.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $10.00Uncirculated: $5.00 – $150.00
-
3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10.00 – $3,680.00
-
eBayUncirculated: $0.07 – $200.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $40.00
-
3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $252.00 – $902.00
-
eBayUncirculated: $350.00 – $743.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $80.00 – $1,150.00
Design and Specifications of the 1988 Half Dollar
The 1988 Kennedy Half Dollar continued the series that began in 1964 to honor the assassinated President John F. Kennedy. By 1988, the half dollar had largely disappeared from circulation due to hoarding and reduced demand for such a large denomination in everyday transactions. Despite this, the U.S. Mint continued to produce these coins primarily for collectors.
| Weight | 11.34 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.61 mm |
| Mint Marks | P, D, S |
| Composition | 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel clad over a 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 1988 Kennedy Half Dollars. While circulated examples are worth little more than face value, uncirculated coins can command a premium. For circulation strikes, coins in MS65 and above are desirable, with MS67 and MS68 examples being quite scarce and valuable.
For proof coins, the difference between a PR69 and a PR70 can be significant in terms of value. Cameo and Deep Cameo contrast on proof coins can also increase desirability and value.
Mintage: 8,202,000
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: Low, primarily of interest to series collectors
Mintage: 13,025,000
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: Low, primarily of interest to series collectors
Mintage: 3,262,948
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, popular among proof set collectors
Luster is an important factor for uncirculated 1988 Half Dollars. Coins with full, cartwheel luster are more desirable than those with dull or impaired surfaces. Strike quality can also impact value, with well-struck coins showing full detail on Kennedy’s hair and the eagle’s feathers being more valuable.
Toning can be a double-edged sword. While most collectors prefer untoned, brilliant examples, coins with attractive, natural toning can sometimes command a premium. However, any signs of cleaning or artificial toning will significantly decrease value.
As with most modern coins, the 1988 Half Dollar is not rare in absolute terms, but finding perfect, high-grade examples can be challenging and valuable to dedicated collectors.
