USA / Kennedy / Half Dollar

Kennedy Half Dollar

The "Kennedy Half" replaced the "Franklin Half" in 1964, just three months after Kennedy's assassination. The obverse features a portrait of John F. Kennedy , designed by Frank Gasparro; the reverse features the Seal of the President of the United States, also designed by Frank Gasparro.

The 1964 coins, like the earlier half dollars, were still made of 90% silver (weighing 12.5 grams). Due to the rising price of silver, the coin was minted from 1965 to 1970 with a silver content of only 40% and a weight of 11.5 grams. Starting in 1971, as with the quarter dollar and dime, silver was omitted entirely and copper coated with copper-nickel was used.