Circulation strike mintages once again began to trend lower with the 1997 Kennedy Half Dollar. Production took place at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. These coins were distributed to the channels of circulation and included within the annual uncirculated coin sets issued by the United States Mint.
The mintage levels for proof coins had somewhat stabilized after the low levels experienced back in 1995. The standard composition proof half dollar reached 2,055,000, while the 90% silver composition proof reached 741,678. Each of these coins was included within a full set of proofs containing one example of each denomination.
Mintage:
| Philadelphia | Denver | Proof | Silver Proof |
| 20,882,000 | 19,876,000 | 2,055,000 | 741,678 |