1989 Half Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & P Mint Mark Worth)

The 1989 Kennedy half dollar captures a transitional period when these coins still circulated widely, unlike today’s collector-only production.

With massive mintages of 24.5 million from Philadelphia and 23 million from Denver, these coins were abundant in circulation during the late 1980s, making them easily accessible to collectors today with mint state examples reaching $11.00 for Philadelphia and $10.50 for Denver pieces. The San Francisco Deep Cameo proof commands a modest $4.56.

These values illustrate 1989 as representing the Kennedy series’ final decade of meaningful circulation, offering collectors an affordable entry point.

 

1989 Half Dollar Value By Variety

The 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar value chart reveals the typical pattern of modern Kennedy halves, where condition grade becomes the primary driver of collector value. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money (1964 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1989 Half Dollar Worth Money

The 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar value hierarchy reveals striking disparities based on grade rarity rather than mintage scarcity.

The chart demonstrates a dramatic exponential progression, with the 1989-P MS68 commanding $3,350 – nearly ten times the value of the MS67 grade at $336. This steep value cliff indicates severe population constraints at higher certification levels, where even single grade improvements can multiply collector premiums significantly.

Besides, Philadelphia mint examples dominate the top positions, occupying six of the ten most valuable slots and showcasing superior market performance across multiple grade levels.

Interestingly, the perfect 1989-S PR70 proof achieves only moderate positioning at $552, indicating that business strike rarity trumps proof perfection in this particular year.

 

History Of The 1989 Half Dollar

The 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar emerged during the final year of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, marking a significant production resurgence in the series’ history.

Production saw a notable boost with Philadelphia striking 24,542,000 pieces and Denver producing 23,000,216 pieces, levels nearly double compared to the previous year. This dramatic increase came after 1987 when the denomination was only included in Mint Sets, signaling renewed institutional confidence in the half dollar’s collecting appeal.

By this point in the 1980s, the half dollar denomination was experiencing less robust circulation and fewer coins were required to be minted each year. The 1989 production surge represented a strategic decision by the U.S. Mint to meet growing collector demand while the denomination was transitioning away from everyday commerce.

The San Francisco Mint produced just over 3.2 million Proof Kennedy Half Dollars in 1989, featuring the copper-nickel alloy that had replaced silver content to reduce production costs. These proofs were only available as part of the year’s regular proof set, featuring double-struck engravings and dazzling mirror surfaces from the famed San Francisco facility. This three-mint production approach established 1989 as a pivotal year bridging the gap between circulation currency and specialized collector products.

Also Read: Top 35 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollar Worth Money (1948 – 1963)

 

Is Your 1989 Half Dollar Rare?

For real-time rarity assessments and current market positioning, our CoinValueChecker App provides updated rankings across all Kennedy varieties.

 

Key Features of The 1989 Half Dollar

The 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar maintains Gilroy Roberts’ iconic obverse portrait and Frank Gasparro’s heraldic eagle reverse design, preserving the classic aesthetics that made the series an immediate success following President Kennedy’s assassination.

The Obverse Of The 1989 Half Dollar

You can notice a dominant depiction of the favorite American President Kennedy’s bust on this coin side. His profile facing left is in the coin center, while you can read the word LIBERTY on the upper rim. Besides, his hair partially covers this inscription.

On the lower coin part is the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST. The bust divides this phrase into two parts with its ending. The minting year stretches along the lower rim, while you can see the mint mark between it and the lower part of Kennedy’s image.

The Reverse Of The 1989 Half Dollar

The reverse design is full of symbols. In the center dominates the American bald eagle, which outstretched wings symbolize courage and freedom. You can see an olive branch in its one claw as a peace symbol, while the an another talon holds an arrow bundle. They symbolize readiness to defend peace and the country.

Above the eagle is a banner with the saying, E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the thirteen dots above it symbolize the initial colonies. On the upper and lower rim are written UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and denomination HALF DOLLAR.

The 50-star ring that separates the eagle design from the inscription is perhaps the most significant symbol. It represents all American states.

Other Features Of The 1989 Half Dollar

The 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar is composed of a 91.67% copper alloy with the remaining 8.33% of nickel content. It is round in shape and has an edge with precisely 150 reeds and a diameter of 1.20512 inches (30.60 mm).

A coin thickness is 0.08464 inches (2.15 mm), while a weight of 0.4 ounces (11.34 g) is standard for this coin type.

Also Read: Top 60+ Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916 -1947)

 

1989 Half Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

The 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar mintage figures reveal Philadelphia leading production with 24.5 million pieces, closely followed by Denver’s 23 million, creating nearly identical business strike availability. San Francisco contributed over 3.2 million proof specimens, establishing a clear hierarchy between circulation and collector-focused production.

The survival data show business strikes from both Philadelphia and Denver show identical 35% survival rates, indicating similar market retention patterns despite their substantial original production. However, the San Francisco proof variety demonstrates remarkable preservation with an 85.5% survival rate, reflecting the careful handling typical of collector-purchased specimens.

Also Read: What Half Dollars Are Worth Money?

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1989 Half Dollar Value 

Skip the complexity of learning copper-nickel grading standards for your 1989 Kennedy half dollar. Standard uncirculated examples range from $3.58 to $4.91, but MS-67 specimens jump to $138, and rare MS-68 grades have reached $3,350. The copper-nickel composition shows contact marks more readily than silver, making accurate assessment challenging without expertise.

For accurate grade assessment and current population data, our CoinValueChecker App provides real-time grading analysis and certified population reports to help identify optimal acquisition targets.

 

1989 Half Dollar Value Guides

1989 Half Dollar Types:

• 1989-P Half Dollar (Philadelphia Mint, copper-nickel clad, circulation intended)
• 1989-D Half Dollar (Denver Mint, copper-nickel clad, circulation intended)
• 1989-S DCAM Half Dollar (San Francisco Mint, copper-nickel proof, Deep Cameo finish)

The 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar was produced across three mint facilities, creating distinct varieties that cater to different collector preferences and budgets. Each variety represents a specific aspect of 1989 coinage production, from high-volume business strikes to specialized proof specimens.

 

1989-P Half Dollar Value

The 1989-P Kennedy Half Dollar represents Philadelphia Mint’s substantial contribution to the series’ production resurgence, with 24,542,000 pieces struck – the largest mintage among all three facilities that year.

However, the grade rarity phenomenon creates dramatic value escalations at higher certification levels. Coins in mint state grades from MS60 to MS65 cost $5 to $16, while MS66 examples are worth $27 and MS67 specimens command $275. The pinnacle achievement belongs to the most expensive 1989-P half dollar graded MS68, which sold for $3,350 in April 2022.

There were over 24 million Kennedy Half Dollars minted in 1989 and are widely available today, yet finding pristine examples requires patience and significant investment for collectors seeking the highest certified grades.

Recent auction data demonstrates how grade rarity transforms common mintage figures into valuable collectibles at the MS68 level.

Market tracking reveals sustained collector interest in Philadelphia specimens, particularly among type set builders seeking representative examples from the Reagan era’s final year.

 

1989-D Half Dollar Value

The Denver Mint produced 23,000,216 Kennedy half dollars in 1989, approximately 1.5 million fewer than Philadelphia’s output, creating subtle supply differences that influence collector markets.

Standard references estimate the 1989-D worth $3.58 or more in Uncirculated condition, establishing a baseline premium for mint state examples.

With a 1989-D MS67 reaching $395 at auction. This premium reflects the challenging nature of finding well-preserved examples from Denver’s production run, where coins typically exhibit minimal contact or “bag” marks characteristic of bulk handling processes.

Auction data shows prices for various grades of 1989 Denver Mint-issued Kennedy half dollars.

Current market dynamics show increasing recognition of Denver mint Kennedy halves as undervalued opportunities within the modern series spectrum.

 

1989-S DCAM Half Dollar Value

Deep Cameo proof production from San Francisco Mint with a mintage of 3,220,194 pieces, the 1989-S DCAM represents the lowest production figure among all 1989 varieties, establishing an immediate scarcity advantage over the business strikes that exceeded 20 million pieces each.

The DCAM designation requires exceptional contrast between frosted design elements and mirror-like fields, achieved through specialized striking procedures exclusive to San Francisco facilities. Futhermore, the auction record for perfect PR70 DCAM examples reached $552 in 2003.

However, recent market activity suggests evolving collector preferences. A certified PR70 DCAM example sold for approximately $100 in mid-2025, indicating potential market softening for perfect grades compared to historical peaks. The copper-nickel composition eliminates precious metal premiums, focusing collector attention entirely on striking quality and preservation.

Notable sales records indicate that proof coins command varying premiums.

Market trends indicate stable demand for copper-nickel DCAM examples, with collectors appreciating the format’s focus on craftsmanship.

Also Read: Rare Half Dollar Coins to Look For

 

Rare 1989 Half Dollar Error List

The 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar series produced several notable minting errors that have attracted collector attention despite the year’s high production volumes.

1. Off-Center Strikes Errors

These errors occur when the coin planchet is improperly positioned in the striking chamber, causing the die to make contact with only part of the blank. The die partially rests on the coin collar when the planchet is incorrectly positioned in the striking hub.

Although this error is unusual, such coins’ value is unexpectedly low – you can buy one of these 1989 Kennedy half-dollars for about $7. The value depends on the percentage off-center, with 10% or greater displacements commanding higher premiums than minor shifts.

2. Die Crack Errors

These appear as small raised lines on the coin’s surface, forming when stress fractures develop in the striking die. When there is a crack in the die surface which fills with metal as the die continues to be put to use, the metal-filled crack transfers its impression onto the planchet.

On 1989 Kennedy half dollars, die cracks commonly appear across Kennedy’s portrait or through the eagle design, creating distinctive linear raised elements that weren’t part of the original design.

3. Struck-Through Errors

During minting, dust, debris, specks of wood, and even grease can intrude and get caught between the dies. This occurs when an unexpected element interferes with the minting process, coming between the die and the planchet during striking. These foreign materials become permanently impressed into the coin’s surface, creating unique textural patterns or obscured design elements that vary significantly in appearance and collector appeal.

4. Misaligned Dies Errors

Rotated dies occur where the front and back of the coin are not properly aligned. This happens when one die is rotated relative to the other during the striking process, causing the obverse and reverse designs to be oriented at incorrect angles to each other. The error’s value depends on the degree of rotation – dramatic misalignments of 45 degrees or more are considerably more valuable than minor rotations.

 

Where to Sell Your 1989 Half Dollar?

The key to maximizing returns when selling your 1989 Kennedy Half Dollar lies in choosing the right venue based on your coin’s condition.

Certified high-grade examples perform best at specialized numismatic auctions, while average condition pieces often achieve better results through direct sales to collectors or established coin dealers who understand the market dynamics of modern Kennedy issues.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1989 Half Dollar Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1989 Half Dollar

1. Can you find 1989 Kennedy half dollars in circulation today?

Finding 1989 Kennedy half dollars in circulation is extremely unlikely. Unlike silver Kennedy halves from the 1960s that occasionally surface, the 1989 copper-nickel issues were largely retained by collectors, banks, or stored away due to their perceived novelty.

Some collectors have reported finding them during coin roll hunting, but this represents isolated discoveries rather than regular circulation finds. Most available examples come from original mint bags, collector releases, or estate collections rather than active commerce, making them primarily a numismatic commodity rather than spendable currency.

2. Which 1989 Kennedy half-dollar is worth a lot of money?

• The 1989 P MS 68 Kennedy half-dollar cost $3,350 in 2022
• The 1989 S PR 70 DCAM Kennedy half-dollar cost $552 in 2003
• The 1989 D MS 67 Kennedy half-dollar cost $395 in 2019

3. How much is the 1989 P Kennedy half-dollar worth?

The Philadelphia mint’s massive production of 24.5 million pieces created abundant market availability for these coins. Consequently, 1989-P Kennedy half-dollar values are primarily determined by their preservation condition. Circulated specimens are worth approximately 51 cents, while mint state examples can command up to $5 for typical uncirculated grades.

However, certified high-grade specimens reveal the true value potential, MS67 examples can reach $300-400, with the exceptional MS68 grade achieving record prices of $3,350 at auction.