1964 Kennedy Half Dollar 90% Silver Coin
Coin/Bullion · United States Mint; designed by Gilroy Roberts (obverse) and Frank Gasparro (reverse). Founded in 1792, the US Mint is the sole producer of legal tender coinage in the United States.
Pattern: Kennedy Half Dollar series, first year of issue (1964). Standard circulating design representing the 35th President of the United States.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
United States Mint; designed by Gilroy Roberts (obverse) and Frank Gasparro (reverse). Founded in 1792, the US Mint is the sole producer of legal tender coinage in the United States.
Material
90% Silver, 10% Copper. This is the last year of high-purity silver for the circulating half dollar; subsequent years (1965-1970) were 40% silver clad.
Dimensions
30.61 mm (1.205 inches) in diameter; 12.50 grams total weight; containing 0.36169 troy oz of pure silver.
Description
A historic 1964 silver Kennedy Half Dollar featuring the iconic profile of President John F. Kennedy. This specific coin serves as both a piece of numismatic history and a precious metals investment, being the final year the US Mint used 90% silver for this denomination's circulating coinage.
Key Features
First year of issue; only year of 90% silver circulating Kennedy halves; truncated neck design where the designer's initials 'GR' are located on the reverse.
Material & Composition
90% Silver, 10% Copper. This is the last year of high-purity silver for the circulating half dollar; subsequent years (1965-1970) were 40% silver clad.
Finish & Decoration
Business strike finish. Obverse features a left-facing bust of John F. Kennedy; reverse (not shown) features the Presidential Seal. Techniques include machine die-striking with incuse lettering and relief portraiture.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Date '1964' on obverse. 'LIBERTY' around upper rim. 'IN GOD WE TRUST' across the truncation of the neck. Mint mark (if present, 'D' for Denver) would be located on the reverse above the 'L' in 'HALF'.
Construction Details
Machine-struck on a planchet (blank). Solid composition (not clad/layered like modern coins). Reeded edge with 150 reeds.
Functional Features
Negotiable legal tender at a face value of fifty cents. Reeding on the edge was originally a security feature to prevent 'clipping' or shaving silver from the edges.
Handle & Grip Details
None; handheld numismatic object. Condition of the edges determines 'grip' for grading purposes.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial die-striking. Details in the hair and lettering are sharp, indicating a relatively early strike from the die.
Authentication Indicators
Correct 1964 date combined with silver luster. Visible 'white' edge (lack of copper core visible in later clad coins). Ring test (silver has a distinct high-pitched ring) and weight (12.5g) are primary field tests.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America; Philadelphia (no mint mark) or Denver ('D' mint mark) Mints.
Era & Period
Modern Era (1964). Introduced shortly after the assassination of JFK in November 1963 as a memorial coin.
Age Estimate
Precisely 1964. Struck between January and December of that year.
Cultural Significance
Functions as a national memorial to a fallen president. Its release marked the beginning of the end for silver coinage in general US circulation due to rising silver prices.
Condition Notes
Appears to be in 'About Uncirculated' to 'Uncirculated' condition (AU-58 to MS-60). Light surface bag marks/scratches visible in the fields. No significant tarnish; retains original luster. Grade: Very Good to Excellent.
Value Estimate
$10.00 - $14.00 (Current silver melt value is approx. $11.00 as of mid-2024). Premium increases for high-grade Uncirculated (MS-65+) or 'Accented Hair' proof varieties.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish with abrasives, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in PVC-free flips or capsules. Handle by the edges using cotton gloves to avoid skin oils transferring to the silver.
Similar Pieces
1965-1970 Kennedy Halves (40% silver), Franklin Half Dollars (1948-1963, also 90% silver), and 1964-dated Quarters or Dimes.
Interesting Facts
The coin was authorized by Congress just over a month after Kennedy's death. It was so popular that most were hoarded by the public immediately upon release, leading to a shortage of half dollars in circulation.