Kennedy Half Dollar

About This Series

The Kennedy half dollar was rushed into production in early 1964, months after President Kennedy's assassination. Gilroy Roberts designed the obverse from a JFK inaugural medal; Frank Gasparro did the reverse. The 1964 coins were 90% silver, 1965-1970 were 40% silver, and everything from 1971 on was clad. The series is long and heavily collected, particularly the silver issues. Collectors look for the 1964 Accented Hair variety, the 1970-D (not released for general circulation), and the complete run of 40% silver coins from 1965-1970. Proofs and special mint sets dominate serious collecting of the modern clad dates.