How to Identify the Kennedy Half Dollar

What Is the Kennedy Half Dollar?

The Kennedy Half Dollar was introduced in 1964, shortly after President John F. Kennedy's assassination, replacing the Franklin Half Dollar as a tribute to the late president. It has remained in production for circulation and collector sets ever since, making it one of the longest-running US coin designs still issued today.

Obverse Design

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of John F. Kennedy, designed by Gilroy Roberts, with "LIBERTY" above the portrait, "IN GOD WE TRUST" split beside it, and the date below.

Reverse Design

The reverse, designed by Frank Gasparro, depicts a modified version of the Presidential Seal: a heraldic eagle with wings spread, a shield on its breast, holding an olive branch and arrows, with a ring of stars above representing the states and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "HALF DOLLAR" around the border.

Size, Weight, and Metal Composition

The coin is approximately 30.6 mm in diameter. Composition changed significantly over the series: 1964 issues are struck in 90% silver; 1965-1970 issues use a 40% silver clad composition (silver on the outside, copper-silver alloy core); and from 1971 onward, the coin is struck in standard copper-nickel clad, the same composition used for the dime and quarter, giving it a coppery edge stripe instead of silver.

Identifying Silver Content by Edge Color

Because the metal composition changed, the edge is a fast visual check: a 1964 coin (90% silver) and 1965-1970 coins (40% silver) show a silvery edge, while 1971-onward clad coins reveal a distinct copper-colored stripe along the edge, the same tell used to spot clad quarters and dimes.

Mint Marks

Mint marks appear near the base of Kennedy's neck on the obverse (a change from the earlier Franklin Half Dollar, which placed its mint mark on the reverse). No mint mark generally indicates Philadelphia on earlier issues, while "D" (Denver), "S" (San Francisco, mainly on proof coins), and, on the 1964 issue specifically, mint marks were initially omitted before being reinstated in later years.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

The Kennedy Half Dollar's portrait and Presidential Seal reverse are unique to this series and not easily confused with other US coinage, but collectors do distinguish between the several bicentennial-dated pieces (dated 1776-1976) that feature a special reverse showing Independence Hall instead of the eagle, issued to mark the American Bicentennial.

Judging Condition and Authenticity

Grade is assessed by the sharpness of Kennedy's hair detail and the definition in the eagle's feathers on the reverse; circulated examples often show flattening on the hair above the ear and on the eagle's breast feathers first. Because 1964 and 1965-1970 issues carry genuine silver value, verifying the edge color and, when needed, weight is a simple way to confirm silver content before assuming a later, non-silver date.