1965 50C MS67 Certification #27883555, PCGS #6708

Type: Kennedy Half Dollar, Type 2, Silver Clad (1965-1970) Designer: Gilroy Roberts / Frank Gasparro Content: 40% Silver, 60% Copper Weight: 11.50 grams Diameter: 30.61 millimeters Edge: Reeded (150 reeds) Mint: Philadelphia Production Strikes: 65,879,366 General Type Description: In 1965, because of rising costs, the Mint began reducing the amount of silver in the coins it produced. Silver was eliminated completely from the Dimes and Quarter Dollars, in favor of a new composition consisting of a copper core sandwiched between outer layers of copper-nickel. For the Half Dollar, the Mint reduced the amount of silver from 90% to 40%, but retained much of the whitish, silvery appearance of former years by placing most of the silver in the outer layers. The new Half Dollars became known as “Clad” Half Dollars, but this term is also used as a nickname for 1965 and later Dimes, Quarter Dollars, and One Dollars (clearly, the term refers more to the layered structure of the coins than to their metal content). This series ended in 1970, after which the composition was matched to the copper-nickel clad alloy of the Dimes and Quarter Dollars. No 1970 Half Dollars were produced for circulation; they are only available in Mint or Proof Sets. (Source: Guth, Ron. PCGS CoinFacts) Specific Issue Description: This is the second year of issue for the Kennedy Half Dollar series. This year the Mint changed the composition of circulation strike Kennedy Half Dollars (from 1965 to 1970 circulation strike Kennedy Halves were produced from 40% silver and 60% copper nickel). In 1965, the Mint also introduced Special Mint Sets which contained coins that were struck with a different finish than that of Uncirculated and Proof coins (utilizing overpolished dies). The Special Mint Sets were only sold to collectors and were produced from 1965 to 1967. The 1965 Kennedy Half Dollar has the lowest mintage for any Silver Clad Half Dollar struck for circulation from 1965 to 1969 and while it appears to be common in grades up to MS64, in MS65 it becomes a bit tough with several hundred in existence in this condition. In MS66, it is a bit scarce with possibly less than 200 examples known in this condition. In MS67 they become really scarce with probably less than 20 coins existing in this condition and none being finer. (Source: Hernandez, Jaime. PCGS CoinFacts) Exemplar Description: Nicely struck, all white and one of only 16 graded as MS67, with none finer (as of 5/16). Acquired 7/2013 from Peter Catanzano, Pelham Rarities. Photography/Imaging c/o Todd Pollock, BluCCPhotos.com

Jaime Hernandez

This is the second year of issue for the Kennedy Half Dollar series. This year the Mint changed the composition of circulation strike Kennedy Half Dollars.

From 1965 to 1970 circulation strike Kennedy Halfs were produced from 40% silver and 60% copper nickel.

In 1965, the Mint also introduced Special Mint Sets which contained coins that were struck with a different finish than that of Uncirculated and Proof coins. The Special Mint Sets were only sold to collectors and were produced from 1965 to 1967.