2026 Half Dollar Without JFK: US Mint Reopens Subscriptions

Subscriptions are once again available through the United States Mint for the 1776 ~ 2026 Enduring Liberty half dollar, allowing collectors to sign up in advance for products featuring one-year-only designs created for the nation’s Semiquincentennial. It is also the first half dollar since 1964 issued without the portrait of President John F. Kennedy.

Through the U.S. Mint’s subscription program, eligible products are automatically shipped when released. Orders placed through the program are typically processed before general sales begin, giving participants an opportunity to secure new issues without placing an order at launch.

Pricing and Limits

On May 5, official U.S. Mint sales of the circulating half dollar are scheduled to begin, with offerings including U.S. Mint-branded two-roll sets of 40 coins priced at $60 and 200-coin bags priced at $180. Both options include halves struck at the U.S. Mint facilities in Philadelphia and Denver. Collectors who subscribe now can ensure they receive them once orders are processed. Product limits are currently set at 60,000 for the two-roll sets and 30,000 for the 200-coin bags, with household order limits of 10 for each.

Circulation Finds Possible

There are also opportunities to find the coin in circulation. While half dollars have returned to circulation in recent years — after not being distributed from 2002 through 2020 — their production levels remain extremely small compared with other denominations.

The Mint confirmed earlier that it began shipping 2026 semiquincentennial coins to Federal Reserve Banks on Jan. 5, including the Enduring Liberty half dollar. In January, 13.8 million were produced, while February production totals have not yet been released. As a result, some examples have already surfaced through banks and other sources.

Secondary-market Activity

Secondary-market activity reflects strong interest in 2026 halves found and resold, with rolls of 20 initially realizing between $45 and $50 apiece. Prices have since eased, with most now trading in the $30 to $40 range.

Designs for the 2026 Enduring Liberty Half Dollar

The 2026 half dollar carries designs created specifically for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Replacing the traditional portrait of President John F. Kennedy, the obverse features a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty, her gaze directed outward as if toward the future.

The reverse departs from the long-running Presidential Seal adaptation, instead showing Liberty passing her torch to a new generation, with the flame trailing behind to suggest motion and purpose. An accompanying inscription emphasizes the role of knowledge as a safeguard of liberty.

The pair of designs was selected from among 17 candidates reviewed in late 2024.

Subscribing

Collectors interested in the 2026 Enduring Liberty half dollar products can enroll by visiting the Mint’s online subscription page.

Beginning in 2027, a portrait of Kennedy will return to the half dollar, though with a different design than the one used since the coin’s introduction in 1964. The reverse will transition alongside the quarter dollar to a four-year program recognizing Youth Sports and Paralympic Sports.