Kennedy Half Dollar
The Kennedy Half Dollar has been issued from 1964 to present. The series includes a number of interesting highlights and has had three different compositions. The obverse design features a portrait of President Kennedy and the reverse design features the Presidential Seal. Although the coins are no longer widely circulated, the Kennedy Half series remains popular with collectors.
Kennedy Half Dollar Series History
Very shortly after John F. Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963, the idea emerged to memorialize him on a newly designed coin. Before deciding on the half dollar, initially the quarter dollar and dollar coin had also been considered. On November 27, Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts sculpted a portrait of Kennedy for the obverse and his Assistant Engraver Frank Gasparro sculpted the reverse which featured an image of the Presidential Seal. The designs were based on those previously prepared for Kennedy’s Presidential Medal.
Congress passed an Act on December 30, 1963 making the new coin a reality. The Kennedy Half replaced the Franklin Half, which had only been issued for fifteen years from 1949 to 1963. The first Kennedy Halves were released on March 24, 1964. They were immediately popular with the American public and throughout the world.
Kennedy Half Dollar Composition
The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar and collectible silver proof versions issued from 1992 to present have a composition of 90% silver. The balance of the composition is copper. The silver content measures 11.25 grams or 0.3617 ounces.
Kennedy Halves issued from 1965 to 1970 have a composition of 40% silver. These coins are produced with an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper, plus an inner layer of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper. The resulting net composition is 40% silver and 60% copper. The silver content measures 4.6 grams or 0.1479 ounces.
Kennedy Halves issued from 1971 to present are produced with a copper nickel clad alloy. An outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel is bonded to a core of pure copper. The resulting net composition is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.
Kennedy Half Guide
This site provides a look at the Kennedy Half Dollar series by year, along with information on the overall series. Check back for updates as additional pages are planned for the future.
