USA / Kennedy / Half Dollar / Original / Without Silver Chain

Kennedy Half Dollar

The "Kennedy Half" replaced the "Franklin Half" in 1964, only three months after Kennedy's assassination. The front shows the portrait of John F. Kennedy, designed by Frank Gasparro; the back shows the seal of the President of the United States and was also designed by Frank Gasparro.

The mintages of 1964 still consisted of 90% silver (at a weight of 12.5 grams), just like the earlier half-dollars. Because of the rising silver price, the coin was minted from 1965 to 1970 with a silver content of only 40% and a weight of 11.5 grams. From 1971 onwards, as with the quarter dollar and the dime, silver was completely dispensed with and copper-nickel plated copper was used.