U.S. Kennedy Silver Half Dollar (1964) // Icons of American Coinage Series // Deluxe Display Box

The Kennedy Half Dollar is a classic American coin first minted in silver in 1964. Today, they are seldom seen in circulation but are cherished by coin collectors and enthusiasts of American history alike. Offered here is a pleasant example hand-selected by professional numismatists after screening thousands of coins for quality and eye-appeal. Each coin is housed in an airtight capsule and presented in a plush-lined box with display easel, magnetic lid, and certificate of authenticity. The coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine, dated 1964, and will match the quality of the one shown.

Within a few days of Kennedy’s tragic death, serious consideration was already underway to place the President’s portrait on a new silver coin. The plans were discussed with Mrs. Kennedy, who asked that her husband’s portrait not replace George Washington on the quarter. President Johnson requested that JFK’s portrait be employed on the half dollar that currently featured Benjamin Franklin. However, U.S. law stipulated that coin designs could not be changed more often than every 25 years and the Franklin half was then only 15 years old. A special act of Congress was needed, and on December 30th, 1963, Public Law 88-256 made the Kennedy half dollar a reality. The depiction of Kennedy that appeared on his inaugural medal was chosen for the obverse of the coin, one that Kennedy had personally approved. The presidential seal appearing on the same medal was chosen for the coin’s reverse.

Production began in early 1964 and the coins were struck in 90% silver. On March 24th, Americans waited in line for hours at banks across the country to acquire the new coin but supplies quickly ran out. Mintage continued at enormous levels, yet few of the coins ever achieved actual circulation. From its very inception, the Kennedy half dollar became a keepsake, cherished by generations of Americans.

Due to rising silver costs, the composition of Kennedy half dollars was reduced to 40% silver in 1965 and eventually changed to copper-nickel clad in 1971. For the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, a special reverse depicting Independence Hall was issued and all coins featured the dual date of 1776-1976. Since 2002, Kennedy half dollars have only been struck in small quantities and sold to collectors at a premium. They are seldom encountered in circulation and have become one of the most widely collected coins in U.S. history.