The Kennedy Half Dollar

The Kennedy Half Dollar is an American coin thatfifty cent coin did not feature Kennedy's image
has been minted every year since 1964, the yearbut rather President Franklin's. But after Kennedy's
after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, untilassassination in 1963, it was decided that the coin
the present.would from then on be dedicated to his memory.
It's known for its iconic image of John F.Collectors along with the general public hoarded
Kennedy's face on the obverse, and an Americanthe new coins both for their sentimental value and
eagle on the reverse.for their numismatic value . The following year
The obverse side with Kennedy's image featuresPresent Johnson removed US coinage from the
the word "LIBERTY" around the coin's uppersilver standard, which caused the public to hoard
edge, "IN GOD WE TRUST" below the face'sall coins with silver content, including the 90%
image, and the year of issue near the bottom ofsilver 1964 halves, the 40% silver 1965-1970
the coin. The reverse side features the wordshalves, and also the pre-1964 Franklin half dollars
"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" above the eaglethat were also 90% silver. Because of this
image, and "HALF DOLLAR" below the eagle athoarding, the coin all but fell out of circulation
the bottom of the coin.completely. In 1971 the Kennedy halves began to
Aside from these basic features, there have beenbe struck in copper and nickel, but banks and
variations in the Kennedy half dollar coin in variousmerchants had already gotten used to not dealing
minting years. The 1964 issue was struck in 90%with the fifty cent pieces. Cash registers typically
silver and 10% copper. It's total weight was 12.5contain no slot for them, vending machines don't
g, with 11.25 grams (or 0.3617 troy oz) of thataccept them, and you'll get some funny looks
being silver. This "silver issue" version wasfrom clerks if you try to pay with them at the
released into regular circulation only in 1964, butsupermarket. Kennedy halves have essentially
proof sets of this version have been mintedbecome collectors coins.
every year since 1992.Though some Kennedy halves are still in
From 1965 to 1970 "silver-clad issue" coins werecirculation, no new coins have been minted for
minted. These coins were lighter than the originalcirculation since 2002. Only proof sets and special
silver issue coins, weighing a total of 11.5 grams,mint collector's editions.
with a silver content of 4.6 grams, or 0.1479 troyOne place where they are still used fairly regularly
oz. Their name is derived from the fact theiris in casinos, where they are often included as
outer layers contain 80% silver, and 20% copper.part of payouts. And slot machines used to be
The inner layers also contain silver, but onlyused with half dollars, though that has mostly died
20.0% silver content along with 79.1% copper. Inout with the spread of computerized slot
addition to the regularly circulated coins, proofmachines.
sets of the "silver-clad" Kennedy were issued inIf you can get your hands on a 1964 Kennedy
1975-1976.half dollar, you should grab it if you can get it at a
From 1971 to the present, Kennedy Halves havereasonable price. It is a classic coin and a
been struck in cupronickel, 75% copper and 25%centerpiece of any major coin collection. Its
nickel. They weigh 11.34 grams, or 0.4 ounces.current value based on its silver content is around
The Kennedy Half Dollar is a legal tender, officially$4.65 (on March 5, 2009). But because of its
circulated coin. However, for historical reasons thenumismatic value it could sell for a little more. I
Kennedy coin is not commonly used and trappedhave seen them in shops for $5.50-6.00, and on
in a state of semi-circulation. Before 1964, theeBay for up to $10.