Kennedy Half Dollar Specifications

On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Mint Director Eva Adams directed Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts to begin sculpting a portrait of the late president. Mint officials could not decide at that time which denomination would receive the president's portrait. After careful consideration, the half dollar was selected to receive the new portrait of the late president. Congressional authorization was necessary to replace the Franklin half dollar because it was only minted for sixteen years, well short of the mandatory twenty-five-year requirement before an existing coin's design can be replaced.

The mint began coining the new Kennedy half dollar in January of 1964. Mint engravers delivered Proof dies on January 2, 1964, and regular production of circulating coin began on January 30th at the Denver Mint and about a week later at the Philadelphia Mint.

Souvenir collectors wishing to remember the slain president bought millions of these coins at their local banks. Speculators and investors looking to make a quick buck compounded the already high demand from souvenir hunters. Due to the rising price of silver, the composition of the Kennedy half dollar was changed from 90% silver to 40% silver in 1965. In 1971 all silver was eliminated from the half dollar and replaced with a copper-nickel alloy.

The United States Mint to thwart the speculators and investors produced coins dated 1964 in 1965 and 1966. This unorthodox practice was allowed by an act of Congress passed on September 3, 1964, at the request of the Treasury Department.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that led to the Revolutionary War, Congress authorized the production of three circulating commemorative coins: the Washington quarter, the Kennedy half dollar, and the Eisenhower dollar. In anticipation of extreme demand by the public, the mint did not strike any quarters, half dollars, or dollar coins dated 1975. Kennedy half dollars minted in 1975 and 1976 both bear the dual date 1776 - 1976. Special collector edition coins were struck on 40% silver clad planchets in both business strike and proof finishes.

Coin Values and Prices

Kennedy half dollars are popular amongst coin collectors. You will find that Kennedy half dollar values and prices (1964-date) are very affordable. Additionally, detailed mintage data for the Kennedy half dollar indicate that all issues are readily available.                                                                                                                  

Detailed Specifications

Production Years, Mints, and Types

The Kennedy Half Dollar was minted as indicated in the following table. The table lists the years, strike type, mint facility where made, the mint mark used on the coin and a description of any type differences in coins minted for that year.

Errors and Varieties

The following are popular errors and varieties that Kennedy Half Dollar collectors look for. These coins usually carry a premium and are valued above a common coin.

Suggested Books on Kennedy Half Dollar

• Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins; Walter Breen; Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (May 1, 1988); ISBN-13: 978-0385142076
• Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins: Volume II; Fivaz, Bill and J.T. Stanton; Publisher: Whitman Publishing, Atlanta (2006); ISBN-13: 978-0794820534
• The Kennedy Half Dollar Book: An Attribution and Pricing Guide; Wiles, James, Ph.D; Stanton Printing & Publishing; Savannah, GA; 1998
• A Guide Book of Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars; Tomaska, Rick; Whitman Publishing; 1 edition (December 15, 2010); ISBN-13: 978-0794832438