1967 Kennedy Half Dollar, 40% Silver Clad
Coin/Bullion · United States Mint, established 1792. Produced specifically at the Philadelphia or Denver mints based on the Coinage Act of 1965.
Pattern: Kennedy Half Dollar (Obverse: Gilroy Roberts; Reverse: Frank Gasparro), introduced in 1964 following JFK's assassination.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
United States Mint, established 1792. Produced specifically at the Philadelphia or Denver mints based on the Coinage Act of 1965.
Material
40% Silver Clad. Composition: Inner core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper; Outer layers of 80% silver and 20% copper. Total silver weight ~0.1479 troy oz.
Dimensions
Diameter: 30.61 mm (1.205 in); Thickness: 2.15 mm; Standard weight: 11.50 grams.
Description
An iconic piece of American pocket history, the 1967 Kennedy Half Dollar represents the 'transitional silver' period of US coinage. While dimes and quarters became copper-nickel in 1965, the half dollar retained a reduced silver content of 40% until 1970. The obverse features the bold, idealized portrait of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President, designed shortly after his death. This specific example shows signs of light circulation with a characteristic silver-gray patina that distinguishes it from modern base-metal coins.
Key Features
Clad silver construction (white edge rather than copper edge), 1967 date, lack of mint mark, and the Gilroy Roberts obverse signature (GR) located on the truncation of Kennedy's neck.
Material & Composition
40% Silver Clad. Composition: Inner core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper; Outer layers of 80% silver and 20% copper. Total silver weight ~0.1479 troy oz.
Finish & Decoration
Business strike finish. Obverse features a left-facing profile of John F. Kennedy. Surface shows natural circulation luster and moderate gray toning/oxidation.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Inscribed 'LIBERTY' on upper rim, 'IN GOD WE TRUST' across the portrait, and '1967' date at the bottom. No mint mark (typical for 1965–1967 as they were removed to discourage hoarding).
Construction Details
Machine-struck, clad composition. A three-layer 'sandwich' of metal strips bonded together and punched into blanks before high-pressure striking in a coining press.
Functional Features
Reeded edge to prevent clipping/shaving of the metal. Original legal tender value of 50 cents.
Handle & Grip Details
None (standard numismatic item). Edge is reeded with 150 individual reeds.
Craftsmanship Details
Produced via high-speed industrial die striking. The depth of the relief is lower than the original 1964 90% silver version to accommodate the harder clad metal strips.
Authentication Indicators
Distinctive 'white' edge of the silver clad alloy (compared to the bright copper stripe of 1971-present coins); correct typeface for the numerals; correct mass and ring tone of 40% silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America. Likely Philadelphia Mint (as it lacks a mint mark), though Denver also produced no-mark coins in 1967.
Era & Period
Space Age / Cold War era American Numismatics. Historically follows the shift away from 90% silver coinage due to high silver prices.
Age Estimate
Dated 1967. Manufactured during the calendar year of 1967 or early 1968.
Cultural Significance
The Kennedy Half Dollar is one of the most widely hoarded and collected coins in US history, initially serving as a memento for a mourning nation. It remains a staple of 'junk silver' investing.
Condition Notes
About Uncirculated (AU) to Choice Fine. Notable surface contact marks and light scratches in the open fields. Moderate tarnish consistent with silver-copper alloys. No major rim dings or structural damage.
Value Estimate
Market value is primarily dictated by silver melt value: approximately $3.50 - $5.00 depending on the current spot price of silver. High-grade mint state examples (MS65+) can command $20-$50.
Care & Maintenance
Collectors recommend never cleaning or polishing circulating coins with abrasives, as it destroys numismatic value. Store in PVC-free flips or tubes to prevent 'PVC damage' and environmental oxidation.
Similar Pieces
1964 Kennedy Half (90% Silver), 1965-1970 Kennedy Halves (40% Silver), and 1971-Present Kennedy Halves (Copper-Nickel Clad).
Interesting Facts
1967 was one of the few years where the US Mint intentionally omitted mint marks from all coins to discourage collectors from 'saving' specific mintages during a national coin shortage.