| The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 was a devastating blow to the people of the United States and the world. Almost immediately plans were made to create a lasting memorial to the beloved president in the form of a circulating coin. The Congressional Act of December 20, 1963 authorized replacement of the Franklin Hal-Dollar with the new Kennedy design.
U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts designed the obverse, modeling the profile after the one on President Kennedy's presidential medal. Assistant Engraver Frank Gasparro designed the reverse, using the presidential seal that appears on other U.S. Mint presidential medals.
Since 1980, the mint mark (P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, and S for San Francisco) is located on the obverse at the truncation of the bust.
Mintage:
| Philadelphia |
Denver |
Proof |
Silver Proof |
| 3,100,000 |
2,500,000 |
2,319,720 |
892,230 |
|
Kennedy Half Dollar 2001
