Kennedy Half Dollars Reference Guide

Kennedy Half Dollars Reference Guide

Kennedy Half Dollars Reference Guide

Kennedy 1/2 Dollars have 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 1/2 dollars series remains popular with collectors.

Very shortly after John F. Kennedys 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 Kennedys Presidential Medal.

Congress passed an Act on December 30, 1963 making the new coin a reality. The Kennedy 1/2 dollars replaced the Franklin Half, which had only been issued for fifteen years from 1949 to 1963. The first Kennedy 1/2 Dollars were released on March 24, 1964. They were immediately popular with the American public and throughout the world.

The 1964 Kennedy 1/2 Dollars 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. This is part of what makes them so collectible. The fact that this is also the first year of issue and how beloved Kennedy was as a President play a large roll in their value also.

Kennedy 1/2 Dollars 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 1/2 Dollars 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. Making the Kennedy Dollars you find in your change just a normal coin now albeit a very meaningful one.

POST COMMENT

George Foreman Grill: That's How You Grill! How To Attract Guys Ways to Achieve Proficiency in Transcription Hyaluronic acid, A 'Fountain of Youth' Should you trust the DecaTrim results? How Do Trailers Get People Hooked To The Film? How to sell you term paper? Read to find out Don't Think You Know All There Is To Know About Air Purifiers Until You Have Read This Hemp Ro pe Nargis: The Legendary Actress Intracranial vascular lesions have deadly effects Bar stools: Invest on the breakfast stools Steps You Can Take To Ensure You Have A Great Sensual Massage Experience