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HISTORY
The Kennedy Half-Dollar was first minted in 1964 in memory of the late President John F. Kennedy. The first year it was stuck in silver, as was the earlier Franklin Half. In 1965, the silver content was reduced due to the fluctuating price of silver; the Silver Clad Half was minted until 1970 before the Copper-Nickel Clad coinage began and continues today (1971-1999).
The former Chief Engraver of the Mint, Gilroy Roberts, designed the Kennedy Half obverse; his initials are on the base of the neck. The reverse was the project of Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro and his initials appear between the claw and the tail feathers on the right of the coin.
In 1976, there was a design change to commemorate the bicentennial. The obverse remained nearly unchanged except for the addition of the dates 1776-1976. Seth G. Huntington, whose depiction was selected from an open contest, designed the reverse. His initials appear just below "E Pluribus Unum". The reverse depicts the Independence Hall in Philadelphia as the main device. The following year, the previous designed was reinstated.
MINTS
The Kennedy Half has been minted in the most modern Mints in the country: Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. The Philadelphia Mint produced coins in 1964-67, 1971-74, and 1976-99. San Francisco minted coins in 1968-74, and 1976-99. Denver struck coins in 1964, 1968-74, and 1976-99.
TERMINOLOGY
Copper-Nickel Clad Halves - Halves minted from 1971 to date which contain no silver; sometimes called sandwich halves, they are made from a composition of copper and nickel.
Silver Halves - Halves minted prior to 1965 are 90% silver. Halves minted in 1965-70 are silver clad containing a small percentage of silver combined with copper. The proof silver halves minted in 1992 to date are 90% silver.
RECOMMENDED REFERENCES
Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection, by John Dannreuther
Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins, by Ken Bressett
The Kennedy Half Dollar, by James Wiles
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Series
Kennedy Halves
Series Run
1964-present
Designers
Gilroy Roberts and
Frank Gasparro
1976 Reverse
Seth G. Huntington
Weight
silver issue
12.50 grams
silver clad issues
11.50 grams
copper-nickel issue
11.34 grams
Net Weight
silver issues
.36169 ounces pure silver
silver clad issues
.1479 ounces pure silver
Composition - Silver
.900 silver
.100 copper
Composition - Copper-Nickel
outer layers
.750 copper
.250 nickel
inner core
pure copper
Composition - Silver Clad
outer layers
.800 silver
.200 copper
inner core
.209 silver
.791 copper
Diameter
30.6 millimeters
Edge
Reeded Edge
Mints
Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Mink Mark Location
1964
reverse lower left
other issues
obverse above date
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