While the provided links point to useful resources, they do not contain the specific values for the 1976 half dollar. As an expert, I can tell you that unlocking the true value of your 1976 Bicentennial half dollar is an exciting prospect, but it really depends on the specific version you have. Millions of these coins were minted to celebrate America's 200th anniversary, and most are quite common.
The vast majority of 1776-1976 half dollars you might find in your pocket change are the standard circulation version, made from a copper-nickel clad composition. These coins were minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark or a "P") and Denver ("D" mint mark) and are generally only worth their face value of 50 cents. If the coin is in pristine, uncirculated condition, a collector might pay a dollar or two for it, but circulated examples carry no additional premium.
However, this is where it gets interesting. The U.S. Mint also produced special collector versions of the Bicentennial half dollar that contain silver. These coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint (with an "S" mint mark) and are composed of 40% silver. Because of their precious metal content, these versions are always worth more than face value. Their base value is tied to the current market price of silver, typically placing them in the range of several dollars each.
The easiest way to determine which version you have is to look at the coin's edge. If you see a distinct copper-colored stripe running along the edge, you have the common copper-nickel clad coin. If the edge is a solid silver or whitish color, you are holding the more valuable 40% silver version. So, before you spend it, always check the edge and look for that "S" mint mark, as you might be holding a piece of silver worth many times its face value.
