A 1970 Australian 50 cent coin, featuring Captain Cook, is generally worth only a few dollars in circulated condition, but can fetch higher prices (AU$3-$15+) in Uncirculated (UNC) or Specimen condition, with rarer errors or presentation cases reaching higher values, like AU$20-$80+ for specific sold items, depending on condition and demand. Most common circulated coins remain close to face value unless they have significant errors or are in top-tier condition.
Kennedy half-dollar coins are not rare; most are worth only their face value of 50 cents. However, some are more valuable, depending on the year they were minted and their condition. For example, a Kennedy half-dollar coin minted in 1970 and in uncirculated condition is worth about $8.
The 50-cent coin that can be worth around $15,000 is the rare 1988 Australian 50c error coin, mistakenly struck with the standard Coat of Arms instead of the commemorative First Fleet design, with only a couple known, though more might be found; it's a "mule" error from the Royal Australian Mint, making it extremely valuable to collectors.
Several U.S. coins from the 1970s can fetch you a lot of money on the collector's market, with the priciest ones valued in five figures. As with many collectible coins, the most valuable ones from the 1970s have some error or distinctive feature that sets them apart from the crowd.
A coin collector just paid nearly $2 million for an old dime. But not just any dime. The 1894-S Barber is one of the rarest in the world. That's why it was auctioned for $1,997,500 in Tampa on Thursday.
The Most Valuable 1970 Quarter: The $35,000 Quarter
The most famous and expensive 1970 quarter is the 1970-S quarter struck on an 80% silver 1941 Canadian quarter. This unique coin has been appraised at a whopping $35,000!
1966 Round 50-Cent Coin
Australia's only 80% silver decimal coin quickly vanished from circulation. The rising silver value made it worth more than its face value, placing it firmly on any list of rare Australian coins and value guides.
## 1. Silver is the First Thing to Look For
1964 and Earlier: All half dollars minted in 1964 or before are 90% silver. This includes Franklin Half Dollars and Walking Liberty Half Dollars. These coins are always worth much more than 50 cents, based on the current price of silver.
Valuable half dollars are typically older silver coins (pre-1965), 40% silver Kennedy halves (1965-1970), specific key dates/mint marks (like low-mintage Walking Liberties or Capped Busts), error coins, or special proof/matte finish issues (like some San Francisco proofs from the 90s). The easiest rule is pre-1971 half dollars have silver content, making them worth more than face value, but look for rare dates in older series like Walking Liberty or Barber, or modern proofs for significant premiums.
The 1970 Captain Cook 50c marked a major milestone in our currency history — Australia's first-ever decimal commemorative coin! Struck by the Royal Australian Mint to honour 200 years since Cook charted our east coast, this coin kicked off one of Australia's most collectable coin types.
What are the rarest silver 50 cent coins? If you don't count over-dates, proofs, and strange varieties then the rarest half dollar coin is the 1873-S with no arrows. None of those coins are thought to have survived. The rarest coins that still exist are the 1796 and 1797 halves.
In the first year of production the coins were minted in 90% silver and 10% copper (90% silver). From 1965 through 1970, the coins were minted in a clad composition of mostly silver outer layers and a mostly copper inner layer (40% silver). After 1970, the coins are minted in a copper–nickel clad composition.
The Most Valuable & Rare Australian Coins Out Of Circulation (Antique)
Interesting 1971 50 cent with the obverse struck through foreign material (perhaps oil) resulting in an extremely poor strike. Most of the obverse lettering is completely missing.
Physical Description. An round bronze coin (17.5 mm diameter plain edged) featuring on the obverse a crowned head of Elizabeth II facing right, around, ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1970. The reverse features a feather-tail glider; the denomination numeral 1 is left of the head and the artist's initials SD below it's body.
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of January 2026, a Kennedy Half Dollar from 1970 in circulated condition is worth between $11 and $12. However, on the open market 1970 D Half Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $12500.
Yes, many rare coins are worth over $1 million, with top examples like the 1933 Double Eagle (up to $18.9M), the 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar (up to $10M), and the 1787 Brasher Doubloon (over $9M) holding records, often due to extreme scarcity, unique errors, or historical significance, including some novelty gold coins like the giant Canadian Maple Leaf and rare U.S. patterns.
Australian 1977 Silver Jubilee 50 Cent Coin.
AUSTRALIAN 1970 ELIZABETH II 50c Coin 'ERROR WORM STRIKE' - Captain James Cook.
The 50-cent Incused Flag variety is found on some 2001 Australian 50-cent coins. Instead of the usual raised flag design on the Australian Federation emblem, the flag appears incused (sunken). This rare mistake has made the coin a popular target for collectors.
Ads. As of April 2025, the NGC Price Guide says a 1971 Kennedy half dollar in used condition is worth about $0.60 to $0.75. In perfect shape, it might sell for as much as $3,100.
Several U.S. coins from the 1970s can fetch you a lot of money on the collector's market, with the priciest ones valued in five figures. As with many collectible coins, the most valuable ones from the 1970s have some error or distinctive feature that sets them apart from the crowd.
What quarter is worth $2000 right now? The 1932-D Washington quarter had a relatively low mintage of 436,800 pieces, making it one of the rarest in the series. The value of this quarter in higher grades (uncirculated conditions) can significantly exceed $2,000.
Because a standard 1970 quarter is composed entirely of copper-nickel and contains no silver, its value is typically near its face value in circulated condition. Uncirculated copies, particularly those in excellent condition, can sell for much more money.