Wed, 06 May 2026 06:46:33 +0000

The Forgotten Legend of the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar That Changed Coin History In the pantheon of American coinage, few mintings carry the weight and mystique of the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar. Though simple in design—a young John F. Kennedy portrayed in profile with 50 cent and the mint mark—this coin stands as a cultural and numismatic landmark. More than just a tribute to a slain president, the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar shattered expectations, reshaped the U.S. minting landscape, and ignited a passion among collectors that continues to echo decades later. ### A Tribute Born of Tragedy and Hope Following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in November 1963, the nation mourned. Few moments struck deeper than the government’s swift decision to honor Kennedy on circulating coinage. Approved in December 1963, the Kennedy Half Dollar premiered in early 1964 with striking denominations: .180 silver and .675 clad composition, heavy and luminous. Millions bought the coins not only as currency but as a tangible symbol of national unity during turbulent times.