Remembering John F. Kennedy with the Half Dollar

I was born more than 17 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. I therefore have no memories of Kennedy except learning about him in my youth. For me, Kennedy was always an historical figure from the past. But I grew up hearing all about him from my family – people who were alive when President Kennedy helmed the nation.

Kennedy was an important figure to pretty much everyone in my Boston-bred Irish-Catholic maternal family… My dad remembers when his hometown of Tampa, Florida, was graced by a visit from the 35th president just days before the young commander-in-chief was killed during his motorcade procession in Dallas.

The memories of President John F. Kennedy still ring vivid for those of a certain age. And anyone old enough on that dark November day in 1963 still can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when the tragic news came down the wire of his murder by a lone assassin. Americans mourned the loss of its young leader, and within days of his death the United States Mint had the Congressional greenlight to proceed with striking a new half dollar honoring the fallen president.

The Kennedy Half Dollar debuted in 1964 and was an immediate hit with the American public. The coin was hoarded by millions, and few really ever saw much, if any, use as a circulating coin in commerce. Kennedy Half Dollars are still highly popular mementos, and they’re prized by countless people to this day as a tribute to JFK and his short but historic time in office as president. Many coin collectors build PCGS Registry Sets of Kennedy Half Dollars, and many more hold aside any and all Kennedy Halves that arrive in their hands.

Most of the post-1970 copper-nickel clad Kennedy Half Dollars are worth just their face value of 50 cents if worn, but all strikes from 1964 through 1970 contain silver and are worth holding aside for their silver bullion content. Regardless of date or metal content, Kennedy Half Dollars are collectible and provide collectors with many exciting avenues for building a collection of modern coins that honor an American icon.