1/2 Dollar USA (1776 - ) Silver John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963)

United States.Half Dollar “Kennedy” Coin.

Mint Years: 1964

Reference: KM-202.

Denomination: 1/2 Dollar
Material: Silver (.900)

Weight: 12.55gm

Diameter: 31mm

Obverse:  Head of John F. Kennedy left splitting motto.

Legend: LIBERTY / IN GOD WE TRUST / 1964

Reverse: Heraldic eagle with US shield at chest, thunderbolts and olive branch in claws.  

Legend: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / HALF DOLLAR

Succeeding the Franklin half dollar, the Kennedy half dollar is a coin of the United States first minted in 1964, the year following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It features the face of President John F. Kennedy on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. The obverse was designed by Gilroy Roberts and the reverse was designed by Frank Gasparro.

The Kennedy half dollar was struck in 90% silver in 1964. The following year, this was changed to silver-clad, with the silver content lowered to 40%. In 1971, the circulation coinage composition was changed a final time, eliminating the silver, and using the copper-nickel clad standard common to the dollar, quarter, and dime. Bicentennial half dollars dated 1776-1976 were produced in the years 1975 and 1976 in the copper-nickel clad composition for circulation.

Kennedy Half Dollars Change:

90% Silver Composition (1964)

Designer – Engraver: Gilroy Roberts

Metal Composition: 90% Silver – 10% Copper

Diameter: 30.6 mm

Mass / Weight: 12.5 grams

40% Silver Composition (1965-1970)

Designer – Engraver: Gilroy Roberts

Metal Composition: 40% Silver – 60% Copper

Diameter: 30.6 mm

Mass / Weight: 11.5 grams

Clad Composition (1971-Present)

Designer – Engraver: Gilroy Roberts

Metal Composition: 91.67% Copper – 8.33% Nickel

Diameter: 30.6 mm

Mass / Weight: 11.34 grams