On the morning of November 22, 1963, three shots were fired from a sixth floor window above Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, irrevocably changing the course of our nation’s history forever. In the days and weeks that followed the sudden and tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, officials at the U.S. Mint received letters and telegrams suggesting a coin be struck in honor of JFK’s life and service to the United States. Today, the Kennedy half dollar is one of the most beloved and treasured coins in circulation. Whether you are an avid coin collector or a history buff, you might enjoy this brief look at the history of the Kennedy 50-cent coin.
President Johnson’s Address to Congress
On December 10, 1963, Press Secretary Pierre Salinger conveyed a statement from President Lyndon B. Johnson to the Congress of the United States proposing the coinage of 50-cent pieces with the likeness of the late John F. Kennedy. President Johnson also mentioned the fact that with the adoption of this new proposal, each of the five denominations produced by the Mint would have the likeness of a President on the obverse of the coin.
Proposed Kennedy Silver Dollar
Although President Johnson’s address to Congress stipulated the use of the 50-cent coin as the Nation’s tribute to JFK, there were ensuing Congressional debates as to other possibilities, including the notion of reviving regular production of the discontinued silver dollar. Fortunately some members of Congress noted that a Kennedy silver dollar would aggravate the shortage of silver dollars in production because of their appeals to collectors.
Striking Ceremonies
After it was agreed that the 50-cent coin would be used as a tribute to John F. Kennedy, President Johnson signed into law Public Law 88-256 on December 30, 1963. Simultaneous striking ceremonies were held in Philadelphia and Denver on February 11, 1964. Since then, the Kennedy half-dollar has been a favorite among collectors, with more than 4 billion being struck by artisans of the U.S. Mint.
If you are interested in purchasing Kennedy half-dollars or any other valuable coins, contact California Numismatic Investments. We are one of the nation’s largest precious metal and rare coin dealers, and we provide great national pricing on all of our products. Visit our website or call us toll-free at (800) 225-7531 to speak with one of our coin dealers today.