John F. Kennedy Half Dollars
(1964 to Date)
The design of the John F. Kennedy Half Dollar was recommended by President Johnson as a tribute from the American people to the popular president assassinated November 22, 1963.
Kennedy's portrait on the obverse was designed by Gilroy Roberts, chief engraver of the Mint in 1963. His stylized initials are on the truncation of the forceful bust of President John F. Kennedy. The design on the reverse, which shows the Presidential coat of arms (seal) for the motif, is the work of Frank Gasparro, who was appointed chief engraver in February 1965. Both of these designs are adaptations of those used on the Presidential Mint Medal.
All coins dated 1964 were struck in 90% silver. Coins dated 1965 through 1970 have been struck in a clad composition of 80% silver outer layers bonded to a 20% silver inner core. The silver in all cases is alloyed with copper. Clad coinage without silver began in 1971. These coins have a pure copper core with an outer layer of copper-nickel on both sides.
Coins struck at Denver in 1964 have a small D mint mark near the olive branch in the eagle's claw. 1964 Philadelphia issues and all coins from 1965 through 1967 show no mint marks, even though they have been struck in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. Starting in 1968 the mint marks appears on the obverse above the date, and beginning in 1980 the letter P for Philadelphia has been used.
Beginning in 1975, coins with dual dates 1776-1976 were issued for the Bicentennial. There were no half dollars dated 1975. In an open contest for the selection of suitable designs for the special Bicentennial reverse of the half dollar, Seth G. Huntington's winning entry was featured on the half dollar. It shows Independence Hall in Philadelphia as the center device. They were struck during 1975 and 1976 and were used for general circulation as well as being included in Proof and Uncirculated sets for 1975 and 1976.
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