1964 50C MS67 Certification #09463085, PCGS #6706

Type: Kennedy Half Dollar, Type 1, Silver (1964) Designer: Gilroy Roberts/Frank Gasparro Content: 90% silver 10% copper Weight: 12.50 grams Diameter: 31.00 millimeters Edge: Reeded Mint: Philadelphia Production Strikes: 273,304,004 General Type Description: The assassination of former President John F. Kennedy took place on November 22, 1963 and many grieving people wanted to do something special in memory of the late President. Shortly thereafter, it was decided that Kennedy's portrait would be place on a U.S. coin. Initially Kennedy's portrait was going to be placed on a U.S. quarter. However, Mrs. Kennedy requested for George Washington's portrait to remain on the quarter instead of her late husbands. The second best choice was the Half Dollar coin. At the time, the Franklin Half Dollar coins were still being issued and the current law required that a coins design should remain on a circulating coin for at least 25 years before it can be changed. Consequently, Congress has to act quickly and change the law for the Half Dollar coins. In the end the Kennedy Half Dollar was approved, therefore, ending the Franklin Half Dollar series at least four years earlier than expected. By February 1964, the Philadelphia Mint struck its first Kennedy Half Dollars for circulation while the Denver Mint had already struck them just a week earlier.(Source: Hernandez, Jaime. PCGS CoinFacts) Specific Issue Description: The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars were composed of 90% silver, therefore making them a single-year type. The following years, or from 1965 to 1970, circulation strike Kennedy Half Dollars were struck in 40% silver. Exemplar Description: This gem is well-struck with rainbow-toning near the rims on both the obverse and, to a lesser extent, the reverse. One of less that four dozen graded as MS67 with none graded numerically finer; two in MS67+. This coin is encapsulated in an old green holder (OGH) and was acquired via Teletrade, 8/2009. Photography/Imaging c/o Ben Karr

Jaime Hernandez

The assassination of former President John F. Kennedy took place on November 22, 1963 and many grieving individuals wanted to commemorate the late President. Shortly thereafter, it was decided that Kennedy’s portrait would be placed on a U.S. coin.

Initially, Kennedy’s portrait was going to be placed on a U.S. quarter. However, Mrs. Kennedy requested for George Washington’s portrait to remain on the quarter dollar instead of her late husbands. The second best choice was the Half Dollar coin. At the time, the Franklin Half Dollar coins were still being issued and the current law required that a coins design should remain on a circulating coin for at least 25 years before it can be changed.

Consequently, Congress had to act quickly and change the law for the Half Dollar coins. In the end, the Kennedy Half Dollar was approved, therefore, ending the Franklin Half Dollar series at least four years earlier than expected. By February 1964, the Philadelphia Mint struck its first Kennedy Half Dollars for circulation while the Denver Mint had already struck them just a week earlier.