1976-S Kennedy 40% Silver Half Dollar BU

Coin Highlights

• Maker: United States Mint, San Francisco (“S” mint mark)

• Date: 1776–1976 Bicentennial issue (struck 1975–1976)

• Catalog: KM# 205a – Bicentennial 40% silver Kennedy half

• Metal: Silver-clad alloy, approx. 40% silver / 60% copper

• Weight / Diameter / Edge: 11.50 g; 31.0 mm; reeded edge

• Obverse: John F. Kennedy portrait by Gilroy Roberts, dual date “1776–1976” with “S” mint mark below the neck truncation

• Reverse: Independence Hall by Seth G. Huntington with “200 YEARS OF FREEDOM,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and HALF DOLLAR legends

• Type: Bicentennial 40% silver business strike from the San Francisco 3-coin silver set (quarter, half, dollar)

• Mintage (silver BU): 11,000,000 pieces

Historical Note

The Bicentennial Kennedy half dollar was part of the nationwide 1976 commemorative coin program celebrating 200 years since the Declaration of Independence. All Bicentennial halves share the dual 1776–1976 date and special Independence Hall reverse, but only the San Francisco–minted pieces were struck in 40% silver for collectors, making them distinct from the massive copper-nickel circulation issues.

Collectibility

With its limited 11-million business-strike mintage in silver compared to the hundreds of millions of clad Bicentennial halves, the 1976-S 40% silver issue is a popular choice for type sets, Bicentennial collections, and Kennedy specialists looking for an attractive yet affordable silver example. Gem BU pieces offer strong eye appeal and luster, and advanced collectors also watch for the scarcer doubled-die obverse variety known on this date, adding extra interest to careful cherrypicking.