Iconic Coins of the U.S. Mint: The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar

By GovMint:

The 1964 Kennedy Silver Half Dollar is one of the most historically significant and poignant coins in U.S. numismatics history. The U.S. Mint designed the half dollar coins to honor President John F. Kennedy, who had tragically been assassinated the year prior. The approval and production process was expedited to meet public demand, resulting in an unusually high mintage that year. Learn more about the background and significance of the Kennedy Half Dollar here.

The History Behind Kennedy Half Dollars

Just days after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the U.S. Mint began discussions with the Kennedy family to create a commemorative coin. They considered various denominations for the design, but ultimately the half dollar won as it was the only coin that didn’t already feature a U.S. president. As the public heard about the coin honoring one of the most popular presidents in U.S. history, anticipation quickly grew. When the Mint started production in January 1964 and released the first Kennedy Half Dollar coins in March, it received significant public interest. 

By the end of the Kennedy Half Dollar’s 1964 production, the Philadelphia Mint had struck 273,304,004 coins, and the Denver Mint produced an additional 156,205,446. Despite the high mintage, few Kennedy Half Dollar coins circulated due to public hoarding for patriotic sentiment or collecting. In addition, the Coin Act of 1965 made it so circulating American coinage would no longer contain 90% fine silver, which resulted in the last 90% silver coins, like the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar, being pushed from circulation. 

What Makes 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars Different? 

The 1964 Half Dollar is unique because it was minted with 90% silver and 10% copper, making it the last circulating U.S. half dollar to contain such a high silver content. This silver composition was consistent with other pre-1965 U.S. silver coins and led to the 1964 Silver Half Dollar being highly sought after by collectors and the general public. The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was overwhelmingly demanded, as people wanted a way to honor the recently assassinated president, leading many to treat these coins as keepsakes.

However, after the Coinage Act of 1965, silver was largely removed from circulating U.S. coins to address rising silver prices and a nationwide coin shortage. The silver content of the Kennedy Half Dollar was reduced to 40% silver and 60% copper for coins minted from 1965 to 1970. After 1970, the half dollar was entirely stripped of silver and replaced with a copper-nickel composition, effectively removing silver from circulation.

What’s Special About a 1964 D Kennedy Half Dollar?

The 1964 Kennedy Silver Half Dollar is unique for its high silver content and sentimental value as the initial issue honoring President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was the last issue of a circulating U.S. half dollar with a 90% silver composition.

Kennedy Half Dollars Through the Years

Since its 1964 debut, the JFK Half Dollar has held a prominent place among U.S. coinage, capturing the legacy of President Kennedy and evolving with monetary trends over time. Though public hoarding resulted in limited circulation, the high mintage count makes the Kennedy Half Dollar a popular addition to any coin collection.

The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is a tribute to President Kennedy and an era in American History, making it a significant part of numismatics.

Learn more about the history and significance of other iconic coins and coin designers from GovMint’s ongoing Coin Authority blog.

• Iconic Coins of the U.S. Mint: The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

• Iconic Coins of the U.S. Mint: The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

References

1. https://coinweek.com/1964-kennedy-half-dollar-a-collectors-guide/

2. https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/united-states/half-dollars/kennedy-half-dollars-1964-date/16706/1964-50c-ms/

3. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/kennedy-half-dollar-1964-date/125

4. https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/circulating-coins/half-dollar

5. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/minting-a-legacy-the-history-of-the-kennedy-half-dollar.htm