Rare 2017 Half Dollar Errors Worth Money (Full List)

The U.S. half dollar has a rich history, having first been produced in 1920. That said, the Kennedy half dollar, which commemorates the slain president, JF Kennedy, is the most popular among collectors.

Kennedy half dollars are worth their face value of $0.55 to $0.60 in circulated condition. Uncirculated half dollars can sell for as much as $30 for mint state gem-quality specimen.

One of the best, most rewarding ways to collect Kennedy half dollars is to explore errors. Minting errors add an element of uniqueness and rarity to a coin, making them more valuable than the coin’s face value.

As you will discover from our 2017 half dollar errors list, Kennedy half dollars are easy to obtain and affordable enough to build an enviable collection. Let’s jump in and learn more about 2017 half dollar errors worth money.

1. 2017-P Kennedy Half Dollar MS63 JFK Doubled Die Obverse Error

One of the most common errors you will come across when collecting 2017 half dollars is the doubled die. This error occurs when the obverse or revere die strikes the planchet multiple times at different angles causing the devices and inscriptions to overlap and show visible doubling.

In the case of Kennedy half dollars, look out for possible doubling on JFK’s portrait. The words LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST are also prone to doubling. A doubled die error can also occur on the reverse, mostly on the inscriptions, in the case of Kennedy half dollars.

A 2017-P Kennedy half dollar graded MS63 with a doubled die obverse error was sold for $140 at a 2018 eBay auction.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollars Worth Money

 

2. 2017-P Kennedy Half Dollar MS63 Misaligned Die Error

A misaligned die error may not be common but it is a valuable addition to your collection. This error occurs when the anvil and hammer die are not properly aligned, resulting in an offset between the obverse and reverse design.

On a half dollar with a misaligned planchet error, you may notice that the obverse design faces upright but the reverse design may be turned upside down or at a 90-degree angle. The value of such an error will depend on various factors including the coin’s condition and the extent of the misalignment—the greater the misalignment, the more valuable the coin.

In 2018, Heritage Auctions sold a 2017-P Kennedy half dollar graded MS63 with a misaligned planchet error for a whopping $230.

 

3. 2017-D MS60 Kennedy Half Dollar Grease Struck Through Error

There are many types of struck through errors, with the grease struck-through being one of the most common and dramatic.

As the name suggests, this error occurs when a foreign element, in this case, a layer of grease, is struck between the die and planchet.

The presence of grease obstructs the die from fully transferring the design to the planchet, resulting in some missing inscriptions or design on the obverse or reverse.

The value of a grease struck-through error depends on the extent of the obstruction. The more visible the obstruction caused by the stuck-through, the more valuable the error tends to be.

A 2017-D Kennedy half dollar graded MS60 with a grease struck-through error on the obverse was sold for $155 at a 2019 eBay auction.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money

 

4. 2017-P MS61 Half Dollar Reverse Die Crack Error

A die crack is yet another common type of error you will likely come across when collecting half dollars. This error comes about when there is a crack in the die surface which fills with metal as the die continues to be put to use.

When the die strikes the planchet, the metal-filled crack transfers its impression onto the planchet. On the final coin, the die crack appears like a vertical crack on the obverse or reverse surface.

A die crack on its own might not be worth much but its value can significantly increase if it forms a peculiar form or shape.

A 2017-P half dollar with a reverse die crack error graded MS61 was auctioned for $60.

 

5. 2017-D MS64 Kennedy Half Dollar With a Broad Struck Error

One of the most dramatic errors you will encounter when collecting U.S. coins, including the Kennedy half dollar is the broad-strike or broad-struck error.

A broad-struck error occurs when the die strikes the planchet outside the collar, a ring in the minting hub that defines the coin’s diameter. When struck outside the collar, the planchet may expand beyond the diameter of a normal coin, sometimes drastically.

For an error to qualify as a broad-strike, the entire design on the obverse and revers must be present and not cut-off. The value of such an error largely depends on how drastically out of collar the planchet is struck and expanded.

A 2017-D Kennedy half dollar graded MS64 with a broad-struck error was sold for $170 at a 2020 Heritage Auctions sale.

 

6. 2017-D MS60 Kennedy Half Dollar With A Partial Collar Error

A partial collar is a minting error in which the collar that holds the planchet impresses a line along the planchet’s circumference which is visible when you look at the coin’s edge.

 This error occurs when the planchet is only partially held in the collar, causing a part of the edge to hang out and get into contact with the collar’s own circumference.

So, how much can you expect from a Kennedy half dollar with a partial collar error? In 2022, Heritage Auctions sold a 2017-D Kennedy half dollar graded M60 with a partial collar error for $160.

 

7. 2017-P MS61 Kennedy Half Dollar With a Die Clash Error

Another interesting error you might encounter when collecting half dollars is the die clash error. This minting error occurs when the anvil and hammer die hit against each other without a planchet between them.

The pressure with which the anvil and hammer die strike each other is so great that the obverse might impress some of its design onto the reverse die and vice versa.

When the planchet is placed between them, the dies will transfer the mixed design onto the planchet resulting in a coin with hints of the obverse and reverse designs on one side of the coin.

Aside from the coin’s condition, the value of a die clash error coin will depend on how visible the mixed design is. An intense die clash error will typically be more valuable than a faint one.

In 2020, a collector paid $210 for a 2017-P Kennedy half dollar graded MS61 with a die clash error on the obverse.

Also read: 11 Most Valuable Half Dollars In Circulation

 

8. 2017-D MS63 Off-Center Strike Kennedy Half Dollar Error Coin

Have you come across a half dollar in which the design appears as though it is struck away from the center? Hold on to the coin—you might have an off-center strike minting error!

An off-center strike error occurs when the planchet is improperly positioned in the collar, causing the die to strike away from the center.

Sometimes, the strike can be so off that part of the design is cut off. Interestingly, the greater the off-strike the more valuable the error. For example, a half dollar with a 30% off-strike error would generally be more valuable than one with a 5% off-strike.

A 2017-D Kennedy half dollar graded MS63 with an off-center strike error fetched $385 at an eBay auction in 2021.

 

9. 2017-P Filled Mint Mark Kennedy Half Dollar MS60 Error

A filled mint mark is exactly as the name suggests—it is a minting error in which the mint mark is struck and restruck and is in the process filled with metal from the die, resulting in a noticeable distortion of the mint.

Often a filled-in mint mark error is as a result of another error known as a re-punched mint mark. This error occurs when the mint mark is punched multiple times at slightly different angles.

How much is a filled mint mark error? This will mostly depend on the coin’s condition. Circulated half-dollars with this mint error may not be worth as much as uncirculated specimens.

In 2019, Heritage Auctions sold a 2017-P filled mint mark Kennedy half dollar graded MS60 for an impressive $95.

 

10. 2017-D Over Mint Mark Kennedy Half Dollar MS65 Error

Sometimes, planchet mix ups, technical issues and intentional human decision can result in one mint mark being struck on top of another.

For example, a half dollar minted at Denver will have a D mint mark but mint workers may decide to punch the mint mark P atop the already existing mint mark. A keen eye will notice the two overlapping mint marks.

 A 2017-D mint mark over mint mark Kennedy half dollar graded MS65 was sold for $85 at a 2019 auction.

 

Summary

Collecting Kennedy half dollars can be rewarding if you know what to look for. As our 2017 half dollar errors list reveals, errors can be a valuable addition to your JFK half dollar collection. As a rule of thumb, uncirculated mint state half dollars with errors will typically be more valuable than their circulated counterparts. The good news is that you do not need deep pockets to acquire most of these 2017 half dollar errors. What are you wait for? Happy collecting!