Well, the provided context is about as useful as a chocolate teapot for finding actual coin values, so let's set it aside and dive into what your 1972 half dollar is really worth.
Hoping you've found a tiny, circular retirement plan? Let's manage those expectations. For the vast majority of 1972 Kennedy half dollars, their value is, brace yourself, about 50 cents. I know, shocking. The coins minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver ("D" mint mark) were made by the millions from a copper-nickel blend, containing no precious silver. In circulated condition, they're just worth their face value. If you have one in pristine, uncirculated condition, a collector might offer you a few dollars for it.
However, don't rush to the gumball machine just yet! There is a slightly more interesting version. The San Francisco mint produced special collector coins that year, all bearing an "S" mint mark. There were two types: a standard copper-nickel proof coin with a shiny, mirror-like finish, which is worth a few dollars, and a 40% silver proof version. This silver fellow is the one you're hoping for. Its value is tied directly to the current price of silver, so it will always be worth more than 50 cents, typically fetching several dollars based on its melt value alone.
So, the short answer is to check for that little "S" mint mark. If it's not there, you've got two quarters. If it is there, you might have enough for a fancy cup of coffee, especially if it's the silver one.
