The last of three United States Mint products to celebrate the semicentennial of the Kennedy half-dollar launches today at noon EDT for $99.95. With four silver coins in four different finishes and from each of the four U.S. Mint production facilities, this latest release is expected to quickly outsell the other two anniversary products combined.
Officially dubbed the 50th Anniversary Kennedy 2014 Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection, encapsulated and held within its embossed faux leather folder are:
- 2014-W Reverse Proof Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar
- 2014-P Proof Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar
- 2014-S Enhanced Uncirculated Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar
- 2014-D Uncirculated Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar
Designated mint marks by the dates correspond to the coin’s production facility in West Point, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver. To know where a coin was made, look for its mint mark below the portrait of Kennedy.
Original 1964 Designs
Kennedy half-dollars debuted in 1964 with designs bearing Gilroy Roberts’ portrait of President John F. Kennedy and Frank Gasparro’s rendition of the Presidential Seal. Reverses have remained unchanged over the years but Kennedy’s portrait was modified significantly in the 1990s.
Keep that in mind because the United States Mint has produced 13 different half-dollars in 2014. Six are standard annual issues and carry the modified or "modern" portrait of Kennedy. The other 7 are unique to this year, are only sold within 50th Anniversary Kennedy products, and only they feature a restored 1964 Kennedy portrait.
Unique Coin Finishes
Two of the four coins in the collection are more unique because of their finishes. The reverse proof swaps the characteristics of standard proofs by having mirror-like raised elements contrast against flat frosted fields.
The enhanced uncirculated coin includes special wire brushing techniques, varying levels of laster frosting and laser polishing.
CoinNews discussed the coin’s special enhancements a few days ago, and this graphic summarizes them again:
Limits, Melt Value and Coin Specifications
There are some recent U.S. Mint-imposed restrictions to sales of the collection, including a 300,000 product limit and a household order limit of five.
Coins are struck in 10% copper and 90% silver, bringing the collection’s silver weight to 1.44 troy ounces. At the London silver price on Monday of $17.18 an ounce, each half-dollar has a melt value of $6.19. And based on the $99.95 price of the collection, each coin’s premium above melt is $18.82.
Half-dollars have a diameter of 1.205 inches and weigh 12.500 grams.
Ordering
50th Anniversary Kennedy 2014 Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collections may be ordered online from the Mint here, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Along with the coins and folder, the product ships with a certificate of authenticity and a booklet about the development and design of the half-dollars. As shown in the packaging image, coins are positioned to show their obverse. The back of each coin can is visible only by removing the capsule from the packaging.
Related Articles
For additional background, three past CoinNews’ articles that relate to this collection are:
- 2014-S 50c Enhanced Uncirculated Kennedy Production
- 2014-S 50c Enhanced Uncirculated Kennedy Photos
- 2014-W 50c Reverse Proof Kennedy Photos
Other 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Products
Two other anniversary half-dollar products have been released by the Mint this year. They include:
- 50th Anniversary Kennedy 2014 Half-Dollar Gold Proof Coin on Aug. 5
- 50th Anniversary Kennedy 2014 Half-Dollar Uncirculated Coin Set on July 24.
The first, priced at $1,202.50, is a dual-dated 1964-2014 coin struck in 24-karat gold. The second, priced at $9.95, includes a clad 2014-P Kennedy half-dollar from Philadelphia and a clad 2014-D Kennedy half-dollar from Denver. The latest U.S. Mint sales figures as of Oct. 19 have the gold coin at 64,303 units and the two-coin clad set at 134,631 units.
Here’s a grid listing some of the essentials of all 2014-dated Kennedy coins:
Thirteen 2014 Kennedy Half-Dollars
| Unique to 50th Anniversary | Associated Product | Composition | Product Limit | Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-W Proof Gold 50c | Yes, original 1964 portrait | Individually Sold | .9999 Gold | None | Aug. 5 |
| 2014-P Proof Silver 50c | 2014 Kennedy Silver Coin Collection | 90% Silver, 10% Copper | 300,000 | Oct 28 | |
| 2014-W Reverse Proof Silver 50c | |||||
| 2014-D Uncirculated Silver 50c | |||||
| 2014-S Enhanced Uncirculated Silver 50c | |||||
| 2014-P Uncirculated Clad 50c | 2014 Kennedy Two-Coin Clad Set | 8.33% Nickel, Balance Copper | 200,000 | Jul 24 | |
| 2014-D Uncirculated Clad 50c | |||||
| 2014-S Proof Silver 50c | No, regular annual issue | 2014 Silver Proof Set / 2014 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set | 90% Silver, 10% Copper | None | Apr 29 / TBD |
| 2014-S Proof Clad | 2014 Proof Set | 8.33% Nickel, Balance Copper | None | Mar 25 | |
| 2014-P Uncirculated Clad 50c | 2014 Mint Set | None | May 13 | ||
| 2014-D Uncirculated Clad 50c | |||||
| 2014-P Circulating Quality Clad 50c | 2014 Kennedy 50c Rolls and Bags | None | Feb 13 | ||
| 2014-D Circulating Quality Clad 50c |
Smooth purchasing. Website worked great.
Took me 3 minutes, good job US Mint !
What Ed said.
Good job US Mint! The website works great!
It will be interesting how many are ordered the first day with the smooth transaction through the website. If it were only 100,000 sets the phone orders would have never stood a chance. Now cant wait to see them in hand.
I was really surprised how fast my order went through at around 12:39. Now I can’t wait to get my sets.
A few observations: Ordering the sets this a.m. was an absolute breeze… no hiccups. The Mint gets an A+ here. I have mixed feelings on the pre-set limit of 300,000. At first blush, it’s too high and limits after-market potential. Most, if not all of these would grade out at 69 or 70. Perhaps a one-week ordering period? Based on previous sales, collectors who wanted an issue order it the first or second day. After that, expect a drop-off. On the other hand, 300,000 might be met in the first two weeks. Time will tell. But for now, the coins… Read more »
Yes, for all the grief I’ve given the Mint (deservedly, imho) I will have to give them kudos for this smooth ordering process on this highly anticipated item. I was away from my computer until about 2 hours after the green light was given to order. I’d thought that I’d reset my password, but hadn’t. So I had to take that additional step. The auto response on the email came within 3 minutes, sending me a link to reset the password. I’d wondered if that might take longer due to high volume on their server. What I do miss: I… Read more »
webb site not working nor customer service disconnects phone in ohio
Transaction went very smooth. The whole ordering process took less than two minutes! Very impressed with the Mint’s new website. Keep it up!!!
fastest ordering process i’ve had with the mint, A Thumbs up.
Wow. I already got an email saying my order has shipped. I’m impressed with the new process.
I also got an email saying that it was shipped, already…
WOW!
My order also shows that it has been shipped with tracking # included. Great Job US Mint. I hope it works this well on the next mint product that only has 50,000!!
The order process was the fastest I have ever had and I also just received confirmation that my order has shipped.Impressive US Mint! NOW… that being said since it seems most everyone had no problems getting an order placed, is it because there was a low volume request for this coin set? I still say at a $100 a pop (silver hovering at $17/ounce) and a limit of 300,000 and the fact that likely most people under the age of 50 are not familiar with Kennedy I still think they will not get near the 300,000 sets sold. I doubt… Read more »
web site still not working as of 6pm in Ohio …customer service phone also disconnects …very sad sent email reply there working on problem..very sad.
Brian and Eddie,
Did you use the express shipping or just the regular shipping? Thanks!
Jack,
Mine was regular, $4.95.
Wow the US MINT REALLY IMPROVE! My coins ship already! 🙂
I ordered mine at 12:02pm, today. I was acknowledged two minutes later and it is now, 7:34pm and I just received a “shipped” e-mail from the mint. Not bad!
Before I forget, remember what happened in 2006, with the Three piece Silver Eagle set? Many of us, including “yours truly” opened the box to take a look. Once opened the only coin that could be certified, as coming from this set, was the reverse proof, the other two were available in other ways, from the mint. Make sure you don’t open them, if you plan on getting them certified as a complete set.
The coins in the silver 50th set are unique unless the Mint is going to sell some unannounced combination. The only other silver Kennedy being struck is the proof in the silver proof and limited sets. These have the S mint mark. The proof in the 50th set will be P. It seems to be safe to open the sets, there should not be any problems.
So how long must we wait to be sure there will not be any as yet un-announced overlapping Kennedy products?
Victor–so, if I plan on sending one of my sets to be graded by PCGS or NGC, don’t open the shipping box to even look at the coins? Not quite sure I understand…please clarify if you would. Thanks!
I also must give the Mint an “A” for the new ordering system! I was allowed to log in at 11:58 am and place my order at 12:02 pm! My order of 5 is listed as shipped within 7 hours of my order being placed!
The only thing that keeps me from giving an “A+” was the cost of this new system. Like all government contracts we paid dearly for this new system but again I give it an “A” overall. Great Job Mint!
SactoMike. Re Victor’s comment….I ordered the limit of 5 sets, but split it between 2 orders… One order of 2 sets, the other of 3 sets. That way I can either do as he said in sending one box unopened to NGC or sell a sealed box online. On some products I get a better price online for a sealed box than my net profit for graded coins if they come graded as 69s.
Interestingly I placed both Mint orders today within five minutes of each other. One order shipped but no word on the other.
NGC is specifically states not to send in the mint packaging. Nothing on PCGS’s submission requirements, but all four of these coins are unique.
No way I’m playing the label game when it’s going to cost $175-$200 to get a $100 set graded. (NGC prices. PCGS is about $250-$275, plus the coins, of course…)
2014 50 cent S-mint silver is grading 1:1 (PF69:PF70). If the quality isn’t better on these sets, there’s going to be a lot of 69’s…
(Oh, and 9 hours from ordering to having the package arriving at a FedEx facility. Not bad…)
Backroad, I agree… although this is a unique set of coins, what with the potential of up to 300,000 of these being produced (I don’t think that will happen) and the cost to get them graded, it is not worth it to do so.I think (all) would be throwing their money away on grading. (Sorry NGC, PCGS) I say buy the coins add them to your collection and enjoy them. I don’t see this set turning a profit. But I still believe that the gold coin still has some potential if the Mint ends production abruptly. I agree with everyone… Read more »
JP,
Maybe this is a good way to get grading companies to lower their prices….and stop charging extra for pretty labels
That’ll be the day…
It’s business. If you can get it, so be it. 🙂
I see people saying there is a mint limit. The US mint didnot set a mint limit. There have a product limit. To me product limit means: What the made so far and have on hand and they can make more if it sold out. Is that right?
Here’s a quick sales Update from the U.S. Mint:
“Sales of the 50th Anniversary Kennedy 2014 Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection, from noon to midnight yesterday, October 28, 2014, totaled 85,670 units.”
Pretty good numbers so far… lets see how the next 24 hrs. go.
Thanks, Mike Unser, for the update.. !
I ordered on 10/28. Just got notification from Mint that my order shipped via FedEx on 10/29. The coins were already staged/sitting at the FedEx hub in Memphis.
Finally, they’ve done something right ! !
28 Oct 2014: Logged in to USMint.gov at 8:45 AM PT; ordered 2 sets. Received EMail from Mint timestamped Oct 28, 2:28 PM that my order has been shipped, delivery Nov 4, 2014. Best, easiest order I have ever made for “high profile” coin release from US Mint. They have done good!
I just received a UPS alert! My sets will be delivered, tomorrow. 3 days, order to delivery. Damn, that’s what I call, efficient. 🙂
Victor, you must live next door to the shipping facility!!. California has to wait 7-10 days with standard shipping. I agree on them being efficient.
David, I don’t know why, but I may be first on their list of people to satisfy. Maybe not! Nah. I’m in NY state.
Victor, I new it. You will have to share with all of us your first opinion on what you receive. Thanks.
I will!
Four sets in hand!
Not a huge fan of the packaging on this set, but that’s minor.
All I can say is OMG!!! I have totally underestimated this set. I just received mine moments ago. It is absolutely Big and Gorgeous! If you do not have this set, this is, apart from the HOF Baseball coin (in my opinion) is the top 5 coin sets of 2014 produced by the US Mint. They need a standing ovation on ordering, shipment, presentation and design. Beautiful, I love it! These will NOT last till the end of the year. I am willing to guarantee that.
Received notice that my coins were shipped…the day after ordering. I received that email at 10 AM. At 12:30 my coins arrived. Two days total.
Now…..
Pay attention, folks.
BOLO…
Triple struck hub tripling in the reverse proofs.
Triple struck. Shows prominently on the hub, and especially the date.
WOW.
Will post a pic at Coin News tomorrow. Check their website.
Legend
Early releases are HIGHLY DESIREABLE as of now.
Legend- What is a BOLO? Can you explain what a triple hub is? Thanks!
BTW. There is a five set household limit….just read earlier comments.
I have a 1994 Silver Eagle that is noticeably doubled on the reverse. I sent it to PCGS thinking it was a double die. They explained over the phone that the doubling was due to die hubbing. Meaning that the die was loose and rotated during the stamping process. They would not assign a special attribute to the coin. In addition, they down graded it to MS-68. Hubbing is an unfavorable condition.
Ordered tuesday at 12:02 and had zero problems. Notified at 7:00 pm they were shipped. Just received today- friday at 12:30pm. Absolutely gorgeous coins, great presentation and superior service in every way. A+ US Mint.
I just received my sets also. Fastest I have ever got anything from the mint. The presentation package is HUGE! A little bit too big for my taste. I suppose they had to justify the price somehow! Very very nice coins though. These big mint packaging pieces take up too much room for me.
Thanks EO for the education on the “Hubbing”. I guess if I could figure out a way to wrench these coins out of the packaging, I might be able to see if my coins have the same problem. Ideas anyone…?
I received mine, yesterday, Oct. 31, 2014. I haven’t opened the outer box, yet. I’m waiting to actually hear from Mike Unser, that there is no way, nor will there be, any separate offerings of individual coins. As to price: even an MS coin from a roll will cost $22-$25 and there is shipping. This set has FOUR individually minted coins, each with a different look and mint mark, hand minted, one at a time, encapsulated and put into a special presentation box, for $24.75, a coin and a measly $4.95 shipping and handling. Now, tell us again, how expensive… Read more »
HAAA! I gotta send in my 2 cents…. get it? Hehe, My two that I ordered hour and a half confirmed another hour said it shipped….. BUMBUMBUM, is sittin in my post office baba. I b pickin it up Monday.
Though, you all were correct, when stating, “this also has been one of my most convenient purchases, presented to me the purchaser!”
Here’s the pickel I just heared that matching grade inside the 4 back is very difficult, IF a good 68, 69, or really rare 70?? Anybody hear that?
Received my 4 coin set just yesterday (Nov. 1st) and I was impressed overall with the quality of the silver pieces. HOWEVER, I have an issue with the 2014-S enhanced unc. coin: The obverse is enhanced but on the reverse, the enhanced details just are not there; it’s all uniform uncirculated luster similar to what would be found on the reverse of a MS68 Morgan silver dollar from San Francisco. I guess I’m the only one as luck would have it to have an oddball in the set, although, I won’t return it. I might order a second set if… Read more »
StuartW. How did did pop those coins out of the packaging without wrecking anything?
VERY, VERY VERY carefully with my fingers; if I failed that, I would use a pointed small knife. As stated earlier, I’ve ordered a second set to see if I would get a normal enhanced 2014-S Kennedy.