Search:
Type the text to search here and press Enter.
Separate search terms by a space; they will all be searched individually in all fields of the database. Click on Search: to go to the advanced search page.
Classifieds Only: Check this box if you want to search classifieds instead of the catalog.
Please help support TroveStar. Why?

Half Dollar

This item is not for sale. This is a reference database.
US Coin - 1999 - Kennedy Half Dollar - Denver
Click on any image above to open the gallery with larger images.
Add a comment about this item.
It will be visible at the bottom of this page to all users.
Comment
Common NameHalf Dollar
DenominationHalf Dollar
Year1999
MintDenver
SeriesKennedy Half Dollar
MaterialCupro-Nickel 25
Mintage10,682,000
Diameter (mm)0.0
EdgeReeded



Designer: Gilroy Roberts
History:

Shortly after President Kennedy's death, Ms. Eva Adams, the Director of the Mint, telephoned Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, Gilroy Roberts at the Philadelphia Mint to inform him that serious consideration was being given to placing President Kennedy's portrait on a coin. The quarter dollar, half dollar or the one dollar were being discussed.

November 27, Ms. Adams called again and informed him that the half dollar had been chosen since Mrs. Kennedy did not want to replace Washington on the quarter dollar. Ms. Adams also informed Roberts that he was to use the profile portrait that appears on the Mint list medal for President Kennedy. The reverse was to display the President's Seal.

Two complications stood in the way of immidate production. First, there was a nation wide coin shortage, and Half dollars of one type or the other were needed soon. The second was a legal problem; the Franklin Half Dollar had only been in production 15 years (short of the 25 years required by congress). The Franklin Half replacement would require an act of Congress. With suprising speed, the Act of December 30, 1963 cleared the way for the Kennedy half dollar.

The first regular-issue Kennedy half dollars began production at the Denver Mint, and the Philadelphia Mint followed suit the week after and were released to the public on March 24, 1964. Despite limiting the number of coins an individual could buy, banks were quickly sold out. Few of these coins were actually circulated. Many became keepsakes cherished by many Americans as well as foreign admirers.

Item created by: Lethe on 2015-05-31 17:46:30. Last edited by gdm on 2018-01-09 11:02:52

If you see errors or missing data in this entry, please feel free to log in and edit it. Anyone with a Gmail account can log in instantly.