Comments on: 2014-S Enhanced Uncirculated Kennedy Half-Dollar Silver Coin Photos

By: John

John — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 12:01:36 +0000

They should have added a bonus Marilyn Monroe coin to the set.
Come on guys…collecting is fun. Keep it light.

By: SactoMike

SactoMike — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 23:43:58 +0000

Louis, are you under age 40? If so, then you may be on to something as the second generation of Kennedy half dollar collectors. Younger people who are becoming students of our coinage history may be attracted to the Kennedy series for a variety of reasons. A popular and flawed president, coupled with what I consider to be designer Frank Gasparro’s finest work. Also, fathers of grooms in traditional Asian weddings (mostly Japanese) still to this day give out uncirculated examples of the 1964 JFK half dollar. It is a time-honored tradition that has now spanned 50 years. I am a boomer myself, and I remember that 1964 summer day when my own father came home and gave me a $20 roll of JFK halves. I have that roll to this day.

By: Louis G

Louis G — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 18:16:24 +0000

The 2014 Kennedy’s has spurred my interest in buying previously issued Kennedy coins. I am probably not alone in this and the argument could be then made that the US Mint’s focus in 2014 on celebrating the Kennedy half dollar may be more far reaching than most people have initially thought. Coin dealers and sellers who offer previous years Kennedy half dollars for sale may be the unsuspecting benefactors of these newly minted Kennedy’s. Your thoughts.

By: SactoMike

SactoMike — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:59:40 +0000

JimmyD, I would be inclined to agree. The 1963 design is a classic, nostalgic design for sure. And to David’s point about what the Mint’s job is, they’ve certainly gotten away from what their core mission used to be, that of producing coins for commerce. The Mint has essentially become the world’s largest coin dealer. On the one hand they reap huge profits with all these commemoratives and special-issue coins while on the other they still mint billions of one-cent pieces that cost 1.2 to 1.4 cents to make. Not a lot of logic there. And to the point of a few others in this thread, yes, the Mint would have gained a ton of credibility by stopping the JFK half at 2014. But if that were to happen, I could hear the screams of Harry Reid all the way from Nevada!!

By: David

David — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:12:10 +0000

Seems kinda pointless to keep producing halves when they aren’t really used in circulation. I think it’s the mints job to produce coins that will be used for commerce and not just for collectors.

By: JimmyD

JimmyD — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 04:17:33 +0000

The mint.. Should.. introduce a new 1/2 dollar next year. As lawless as the government is today you could probably put Mickey Mouse on it and congress wouldn’t care. My vote is for a new Benjamin Franklin half, no cartoons though. Start it off right where it stopped, with the original 1963 design. Collectors would embrace a change in the half dollar program.

By: SactoMike

SactoMike — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 23:44:27 +0000

These coins look gorgeous, and if you’re into collecting JFK halves, they are a must-own… but if you’re in it for a quick profit, beware. The Gold first strike Kennedys in 69DCAM are now going on Ebay for under mint price. The 70s not much more. As for the silver set, I don’t see a lot of upside here unless the Mint sets a mintage deadline (1 week, perhaps) that will ensure a solid after market. If they press 150,000 sets, I think they’ll only go for slightly over melt. Sorry to be the skunk at the garden party, but I’ve been this rodeo several times and, unfortunately, know how it ends.

By: JOE #2

JOE #2 — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 12:55:07 +0000

Was looking forward to the gold and silver releases of the Kennedy’s, But with the big fiasco with the gold, The silver also busted my bubble on these as well. I’ll pass.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 05:59:35 +0000

I returned the one gold JFK coin I’d purchased. Will keep these, assuming Mint doesn’t have operational fiasco upon release, and I can actually place an order.

By: Paul O'Brien

Paul O'Brien — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 01:17:25 +0000

Hey Mike! Nice cell phone photos!