Description
JFK Half Dollar History
The JFK half dollar, first minted in 1964, is a fifty-cent coin currently issued by the United States Mint. Intended as a memorial to the assassinated President John F. Kennedy, it was authorized by Congress just over a month after his death. Use of existing works by Mint sculptors Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro allowed dies to be prepared quickly, and striking of the new coins began in January 1964.
The silver coins vanished from circulation upon their release in March 1964 due to collectors, hoarders, and those interested in a memento of the late president. Although the Mint greatly increased production, the denomination was seldom seen in circulation. Continued rises in the price of silver increased the hoarding—many early JFK half dollars have been melted for their silver.
The Treasury Department made the coins available to the public beginning on March 24, 1964. A line a block long formed at the department’s windows in Washington to purchase the 70,000 coins initially allocated for public sale. Although the department limited sales to 40 per customer, by the end of the day, the coins were gone, but the line had not shortened. Banks in Boston and Philadelphia quickly rationed supplies, but still sold out by noon. Sales in New York did not begin until the following day, and rationing was imposed there as well, to the disgruntlement of the head of the coin department at Gimbels, the largest dealer in the city, which had hoped to sell the coins at a premium.
The coins were popular overseas as well. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs G. Mennen Williams distributed plastic-encased specimens to presidents and foreign ministers of African nations and to the U.S. ambassadors serving there “to win friends for the United States in Africa”. Shortly after the coin’s release, the Denver Mint began receiving complaints that the new coin depicted a hammer and sickle on the bottom of Kennedy’s truncated bust. In response, Roberts stated that the portion of the design in question was actually his monogram, a stylized “GR”.
The Mint struck JFKÂ half dollars in large numbers in an attempt to meet the overwhelming demand. The Treasury had initially planned to issue 91 million half dollars for 1964, but raised the number to 141 million. However, a public announcement of the increase failed to cause more coins to actually circulate or to decrease the prices on the secondary market. By late November, the Mint had coined approximately 160 million pieces, yet the coin was almost never seen in circulation. Silver prices were rising, and many coins were being hoarded. Hopeful that issuing more 1964-dated coins would counter the speculation in them, the Treasury requested and received Congressional authorization to continue striking 1964-dated coins into 1965. Eventually, almost 430 million half dollars dated 1964 were struck, a sum greater than the total struck for circulation in the sixteen years of the Franklin half dollar series.
These minting operations were rapidly depleting the Treasury’s stock of silver. Prices for the metal were rising to such an extent that, by early June, a dime contained 9.33 cents’ worth of silver at market prices
Rose (verified owner) –
Absolutely stunning ! I love this very special ring. It is my birth year, and 90% silver! These make great gifts, most people don’t have one. Perfect fit,comfortable , and very shiny with all the details shown very clearly inside and out. When my husband saw the ring, he wanted it,,but lucky for me it didn’t even fit his pinky! So, I’ll be ordering him a ring for his birthday in March! He really isn’t into jewerly, but the beauty and uniqueness caught his eye, and he was hooked! I highly recommend these rings, and best of all says IN GOD WE TRUST , AND THEY ARE MADE IN THE USA!
Christopher (verified owner) –
Chris
I received my ring in only a few days, and it blew me away. The pictures Don’t do justice to the quality and professionalism of the piece. If you watch any of the youtube Videos on how the rings are made you will see how much thought and care is taken to get all the details right. I Couldn’t be more impressed with the craftsmanship and artistic touches incorporated into the ring. Great work!
brenda jackson –
The rings r awesome would like to order one the year 1964
Sean –
This Ring Is Beautiful. Stunning Detail And Well Made! Pictures Really Dont’t Do These Works Of Art Justice. Got My Order Super Fast. I Can’t Say Enough About How Nice My Ring is. I got It as 2nd wedding ring with the year of my marriage on it(i think i like it better then my original one but Don’t tell my wife?). If your on the fence about getting one, get it! You won be Disappointed. Great gift ideas also.
Jeff (verified owner) –
After watching the videos and seeing how these coin rings are made, I knew I had to have one! I chose the 1964 JFK Silver half dollar….. It’s my birth year and it says “in God we trust”! It came as pictured in less than a week, fits perfectly (a size 10 1/2), and the craftsmanship is awesome! I can’t wait to tell my friends and family about the history of the coin and how it was made into a ring! Thanks for your attention to detail Skyler!
fragapane.michael1978 (verified owner) –
I’am from belgium and I just received my ring today! It’s soooo beautiful!! Thank you very much 🙂
afrosam2842 (verified owner) –
Just got my ring this is by far one of the coolest looking and eye catching pieces I own one day and already a steady stream of complements. I will be purchasing more from you. This young man has such a good attitude in life and workmanship you can’t help but want him to succeed in all he does. Quick to answer my questions and I will recommend him to my friends. Thank you again God Bless .