A retired Texas schoolteacher became an overnight millionaire after unknowingly cashing in a rare 1776-1976 Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar at her local bank.
Experts later confirmed it was a major mint error, and the coin sold for an unbelievable $1.7 million at Heritage Auctions in Dallas.
Here is a clear, step-by-step guide to understand why this coin was worth so much — and how to check your own coins. 👇
⭐ Step 1: Why This Bicentennial Half Dollar Sold for $1.7 Million
✅ 1. Double-Struck on 40% Silver Planchet
- Only 3 known examples
- Full design struck twice, slightly shifted
- Weight: 11.5 g (normal clad is 11.34 g)
- Graded PCGS MS64
✅ 2. FS-101 “Galactic Doubling” Obverse Error
- Strong 3D-like doubling in IN GOD WE TRUST
- Visible tripling under magnification
- Only 12 confirmed by PCGS
- High-grade examples worth $250,000+
✅ 3. “Ghost Reverse” Independence Hall Error
- A faint floating secondary image on the reverse
- Caused by a misaligned die
- High-grade pieces worth $150,000+
⭐ Step 2: How to Identify a Valuable Bicentennial Half Dollar
🔍 Step 1: 5-Second Magnet Test
✅ 40% silver = not magnetic
❌ Clad = slight magnetic pull
🔍 Step 2: Look for Key Errors
- 🔁 Double-Struck Designs
- 🟤 Missing Clad Layer (exposed copper core)
- 🦅 “Spitting Eagle” (die crack through eagle’s beak)
🔍 Step 3: Grade Matters
- MS63+ can reach six-figure values
- Coins still inside red U.S. Mint packaging add +50% value
⭐ Step 3: 2025 Value Guide for Bicentennial Half Dollar Errors
| Error Type | Circulated | Mint State | Superb Gem (MS67+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-Struck Silver | $250K | $800K | $1.7M |
| FS-101 DDO | $5K | $75K | $250K |
| Ghost Reverse | $1K | $25K | $150K |
| 90% Off-Center | $500 | $15K | $85K |
⭐ Step 4: Where These Rare Coins Are Usually Found
🏦 Bank Teller Trays — Half-dollar rolls still show up
🎰 Casino Cashouts — Especially Vegas, Reno, and LA
🏚 Estate Sales — Old mint sets often contain silver strikes
🍽 Tip Jars — Collectors report surprise finds in restaurants
⭐ Step 5: What To Do If You Think You Found One
👉 Handle only with cotton gloves
👉 Take clear LED-lit photos (10× zoom if possible)
👉 Submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication
👉 Auction in NYC, LA, or Dallas for maximum bidding
⚠️ Never clean the coin
Natural toning can increase value by $50K–$500K.
✅ Final Summary
The $1.7 million Bicentennial Half Dollar is one of the rarest error coins ever found, and these valuable mistakes still appear in bank rolls, casino trays, and old collections.
Learning the key errors — double strikes, doubled dies, and silver planchet varieties — can help you identify life-changing coins hiding in plain sight.
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