In a surprising discovery, a rare Kennedy half dollar was found inside a time capsule from the 1960s. This coin is now valued at more than the cost of a typical American house. Coin collectors and history lovers are very excited about this find. The coin is a 1964 Special Mint Set (SMS) half dollar and is in excellent condition.
Discovery from the Past
The coin was found during a community event. A small Midwestern town opened a time capsule buried in 1965 by a local historical group. The capsule had newspapers, old photos, and other items from the past. Inside a small envelope was a 1964 Kennedy half dollar. At first, it looked like a normal coin. But experts quickly saw it was something special.
Why Is This Coin Special?
Many 1964 Kennedy half dollars were made with 90% silver. These are usually worth around $10 to $20 if they have been used. But this coin is different. It is from a Special Mint Set (SMS), which means it was made with more care and detail. These sets were made for testing and are very rare today.
Let’s look at why this coin is so valuable:
Feature | Detail |
Type | 1964 SMS Kennedy Half Dollar |
Condition | PCGS MS68+ (very high grade) |
Material | 90% Silver |
Estimated Value | Over $250,000 |
Year Made | 1964 |
Mint Type | Special Mint Set (SMS) |
Ultra-Rare and High Grade
This coin was graded MS68+ by PCGS, which is a top coin grading service. That means the coin is nearly perfect. Very few coins like this exist. Most 1964 SMS half dollars are in lower grades and are hard to find in such good shape.
A Piece of History
The Kennedy half dollar was first made after President John F. Kennedy’s death in 1963. It was created to honor him. So, the coin not only has money value but also great emotional and historical meaning. This makes it even more special to collectors.
Past Auction Prices
In 2021, a similar 1964 SMS half dollar in MS67 grade sold for $108,000. Since the new coin is in even better condition, experts believe it could sell for over $250,000. That’s more than the price of an average home in the United States.
What Will Happen to the Coin?
Now, the local historical group must decide what to do. They could keep the coin in a museum for others to see. Or they might sell it to raise money for town projects. Either way, the town is very lucky to have found such a valuable item. It turned a simple community event into something unforgettable.
A Hidden Treasure
This story is a great reminder. Valuable items can still be found in old places. A small coin hidden in a box for 60 years is now worth a fortune. For collectors, it’s a dream come true. And for the town, it’s a piece of history they will never forget.
FAQs
What year is the coin?
1964.
What makes the coin rare?
It is a Special Mint Set coin.
How much is the coin worth?
More than $250,000.
Where was it found?
In a time capsule in a Midwestern town.
Will the coin be sold?
The town is still deciding.