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The Kennedy half dollar, first minted in 1964, is a fifty-cent coin currently issued by the United States Mint. Intended as a memorial to the assassinated assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in November 1963, it was authorized by Congress just over a month after his death. Use of existing works by Mint sculptors Gilroy Roberts (obverse) and Frank Gasparro (reverse) allowed dies to be prepared quickly.
Starting with 1965-dated pieces, the percentage of fine silver was reduced from 90% to 40% (silver clad), but even with this change, the coin saw little circulation.
A few of the 1966 halves from the Special Mint Sets are known with Gasparro's initials "FG" missing from the reverse, apparently because of an overpolished die. No Proof Half Dollars were struck in 1965, 1966, or 1967. Instead, the Mint made Special Mint Sets, which contained coins with a special finish that was better than that seen on a circulation strike, but which did not rise to the quality of a Proof coin. These were produced by overpolishing the dies.
This series ended in 1970, after which the composition was matched to the copper-nickel clad alloy of the Dimes and Quarter Dollars. No 1970 Half Dollars were produced for circulation; they are only available in Mint or Proof Sets.
Obverse
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Depicts the head of John F. Kennedy facing left, with LIBERTY above and to the sides, and the date below. IN GOD WE TRUST in a straight line above the date. Mintmark (if any) above the date. Mintmark omitted on Philadelphia Mint issues. Engraver's monogram (GR) on Kennedy's truncated bust. LIBERTY |
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Reverse
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Depicts an adaptation of the Great Seal of the United States. Country name above, value below. In its beak, the eagle clutches a scroll with the motto "E pluribus unum" (Latin for "Out of Many, One"). Over its head is a "glory" with 13 mullets (stars). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA |
Edge |