Req 4e — The Half Dollar
The Kennedy half dollar is a coin most people have heard of but few have in their pockets. Although the Mint still produces it, the half dollar rarely circulates — most are saved by collectors or sit in bank vaults. Finding one is part of the adventure.
The Kennedy Half Dollar (1964–Present)
The Kennedy half dollar was created with extraordinary speed. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Within weeks, Congress authorized a new half dollar bearing his likeness, and the first coins were struck in January 1964. The public response was overwhelming — people lined up at banks and hoarded the coins as keepsakes, which is one reason the half dollar gradually disappeared from everyday commerce.
Design features to know:
- Obverse: Kennedy’s portrait facing left, designed by Gilroy Roberts, the Mint’s Chief Engraver. Roberts’ initials “GR” appear in a stylized form at the truncation of Kennedy’s neck, just above the neckline. “LIBERTY” arcs across the top, “IN GOD WE TRUST” runs along the bottom, and the date and mint mark appear below the portrait.
- Reverse: A heraldic eagle based on the Presidential Seal, designed by Frank Gasparro. The eagle holds an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, surrounded by a ring of 50 stars (one for each state). Gasparro’s initials “FG” appear between the eagle’s tail feathers and the left leg. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “HALF DOLLAR” frame the design.
Why You Do Not See Them in Change
The Kennedy half dollar is still legal tender and still produced, but it does not circulate the way quarters and dimes do. There are a few reasons:
- Sentimental value: From the very beginning, people saved Kennedy halves rather than spending them.
- Vending machines: Most vending machines and parking meters do not accept half dollars, reducing demand.
- Size and weight: At 30.6mm in diameter, the half dollar is significantly larger and heavier than a quarter, making it impractical for everyday pocket change.
- Low production: The Mint now produces Kennedy halves primarily for collector rolls and bags rather than for general circulation.
How to Find One
Since the half dollar does not circulate widely, you may need to be a bit resourceful:
Where to Find a Kennedy Half Dollar
- Ask your bank: Most banks can order half dollar rolls for you. A roll contains 20 coins ($10 face value).
- Check with older relatives: Many families have Kennedy halves tucked away in drawers or coin collections started in the 1960s.
- Visit a coin shop: Dealers typically have common-date Kennedy halves available for close to face value.
- Look online: Reputable dealers sell circulated Kennedy halves for around $1–$2 each.
What to Know for Your Counselor
Be ready to explain:
- Who designed the obverse (Gilroy Roberts) and reverse (Frank Gasparro)
- Where to find each designer’s initials
- The key design elements: Kennedy’s portrait, the heraldic eagle, the 50 stars
- Why the half dollar does not circulate widely
- The composition change from silver to clad