The 1965 Kennedy Half Dollar: History, Value, and More (Rarest Sold For $9,000)

No family name in the history of the United States has been popular, even to this day, more than the Kennedy name. After all, the Kennedys are considered to be the royal family of the States and are rather omnipresent in the country’s politics. But, even among the Kennedies, one name stands out the most; John F. Kennedy.

Every single person knows who he was, and unfortunately, how his life ended. The assassination of the U.S. President John F. Kennedy remains a mystery and one of the most important events in the history of the States, as well as the world. To commemorate his life and legacy, President Johnson, as well as the U.S. Mint decided to sign into law a bill authorizing the design of a new half-dollar coin; the Kennedy half dollar.

In the following paragraphs, we’re going to talk more about the history of the half dollar as a collectible memento, its history, and how it came to be, as well as its worth nowadays. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

The Kennedy Half Dollar – Everything You Need To Know

How It Came To Be – Inception and Design

After President Kennedy’s funeral, the U.S. Mint and Treasury, as well as the Kennedy family all agreed that a new coin should be made in his memory. Because she didn’t want the new coin design to replace any of the previous presidents, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy recommended a half-dollar denomination as the most appropriate. Until 1963, the half-dollar featured Benjamin Franklin, however, the director of the Mint at that time, Eva Adams, agreed that the new half-dollar design should feature President Kennedy.

The 1965 Kennedy half dollar was designed by Gilroy Roberts, who was the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint at the time. Roberts was tasked with creating a coin that would honor the late President Kennedy, who had been assassinated just two years prior. The design that Roberts ultimately came up with featured a portrait of Kennedy on the obverse side of the coin and a depiction of the presidential seal on the reverse side.

Roberts had approximately 4 weeks to create the design since the Mint wanted to start minting the new half-dollar as soon as possible. Though it seemed like a mission impossible, Roberts managed to come up with the final designs, which were approved and sent for minting at the Philadelphia Mint.

Appearance and Significance

The portrait of Kennedy that appears on the 1965 half-dollar is one of the most iconic images of the President. It shows him looking forward with a serious expression on his face, and it is widely regarded as one of the best coin portraits in American history. The reverse side of the coin features a design that is based on the presidential seal, which includes an eagle with outstretched wings, a shield, and a banner with the words ‘E Pluribus Unum’ which translates to ‘Out of many, one’.

The 1965 Kennedy half dollar was minted in both Philadelphia and Denver, with each mint producing coins with their own unique mint mark. The coins that were minted in Philadelphia do not have a mint mark, while the coins that were minted in Denver have a small ‘D’ mint mark located above the date.

Since 1964, there have been over 4 billion Kennedy half dollars minted, many of them entering fabulous coin collections all around the world. Nowadays, the coin design has pretty much remained the same, with few tweaks and improvements to the overall appearance of the coin. For example, the 2019 edition of the Kennedy half-dollar coin features the letter ‘P’ to indicate it was minted in Philadelphia. In 2014, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy half dollar, the U.S. Mint released a special edition of the coin, made of solid gold.

Current Worth and Rarity

The value of the 1965 Kennedy half dollar depends on a variety of factors, including its condition, mint mark, and rarity. In general, the coins that are in better condition and have the “D” mint mark are worth more than those that do not. However, even the most common 1965 half dollars can be worth a significant amount of money.

One reason for the value of the 1965 Kennedy half dollar is its historical significance. This coin was introduced just two years after the assassination of President Kennedy, and it was designed to honor his memory. As a result, many people view this coin as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of tragedy, and it has become a popular collector’s item.

Another factor that contributes to the value of the 1965 half-dollar is its rarity. While millions of these coins were minted, there are a few specific variations that are extremely rare and valuable. For example, some 1965 half dollars were struck on silver planchets (blank metal disks), which were left over from the previous year’s production of Kennedy half dollars. These coins are known as ‘silver-clad’ half dollars, and they are highly sought after by collectors. In fact, a 1965 silver-clad half-dollar in pristine condition can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Now, let’s talk about some actual numbers. According to our research, and data provided by the Professional Coin Grading Service, also known as PCGS, the most valuable 1965 Kennedy half-dollar was sold for 9,000 USD, as it was in mint condition. Circulated 1965 half-dollar coins are at a general value of 7 USD, while the uncirculated ones are priced up to 87 USD, in perfect min condition. Unfortunately, there is no available data regarding the value of the PR or ‘proof’ 1965 half-dollar coins.

Also Read:

• The 1965 Quarter: History, Worth, Current Value, and More (Rarest Sold For $12,650)
• 1965 Roosevelt Dime Value: Uncovering the Surprising Worth of Your Coin Collection
• 1964 Half Dollar Value: What Makes A 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar Rare?
• The 1963 Half Dollar Value Chart (1963-D MS67+ Full Bell Lines Sold For $16,800 in 2019)

In Conclusion

The 1965 Kennedy half dollar is a coin that holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors and history enthusiasts. This coin was introduced in the wake of the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, and it was designed to commemorate his life and legacy.

This coin is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and iconic coins ever produced by the United States Mint. While most 1965 half dollars are relatively common and affordable, there are a few rare variations that are worth a significant amount of money. Whether you are a collector or just a history enthusiast, the 1965 Kennedy half dollar is a coin that is definitely worth learning more about, and we hope this brief overview was enough to pique your interest.

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