Commemorating the semicentennial of the Kennedy half-dollar with its first appearance in 1964, the United States Mint today, July 24, released the 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Uncirculated Coin Set.
Available for $9.95, the two-coin set has no mintage limits but there is an established household ordering limit of five in place. Early ordering was lively with the U.S. Mint toggling on its "waiting room" feature due to high traffic. By about 2:00 PM ET, or two hours after the sets launched, ordering and movement around the U.S. Mint website returned to normal. (Return to this article on Friday for an update on early sales totals.) The U.S. Mint has said 37,000 sets are on hand to ship immediately.
CoinNews Update: First day sales for the 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Uncirculated Coin Set hit 68,974.
Found inside the set are the following two clad halves:
- 2014-P Kennedy Uncirculated Half-Dollar
- 2014-D Kennedy Uncirculated Half-Dollar
Both are struck to uncirculated quality with one coming from the U.S. Mint facility in Philadelphia and the other from the U.S. Mint facility in Denver.
Original Design
An obverse portrait of President John F. Kennedy is featured on both halves just it first appeared on inaugural 1964 coins. The effigy, by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Gilroy Roberts, has seen a several revisions over the years. When comparing the original design on the 1964 and 2014 50th anniversary halves to the one appearing on other modern Kennedy halves, like those found within the rolls and bags releases earlier this year, there are distinct differences in the hair, chin and cheek details.
Reverses include United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Frank Gasparro’s heraldic eagle with shield design. This design has remained unchanged over the years.
Packaging
Both coins are encapsulated and attached to a specially illustrated coin card which also includes design descriptions, coin specifications, a certificate of authenticity, and the official Department of the Treasury seal. The card allows viewing of both the obverse and reverse of each coin.
A folder is also included to house the card. Printed on the front of the folder along with imagery of the obverse side of a 1964 Kennedy Half is "50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Uncirculated Coin Set."
The inside of the folder has a large partial likeness of the reverse of the coin as well smaller obverse and reverse images.
Ordering
Those interested in purchasing one of the newly available 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Uncirculated Coin Sets may do so directly from the United States Mint. Orders are accepted via Mint’s online catalog page, located here, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Upcoming 50th Anniversary Products
This two-coin set is issued as one of three special 2014 products from the United States Mint that marks the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy halves. Due to be released on August 5, 2014 is a 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Gold Proof Coin. It will be followed at a later date, yet to be determined, by the 2014 50th Anniversary Kennedy Four-Coin Silver Set.
