Ah, the half dollar, the forgotten giant of American currency. Once a veritable workhorse of commerce since its authorization way back in 1792, this fifty-cent piece is now the shy, reclusive cousin of the quarter. In its heyday, it wasn't just big in size; it was big in value, minted with 90% silver. People jangled coins like the elegant Walking Liberty and the stately Franklin half dollar in their pockets with pride.
Everything changed in 1964. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the nation rushed to honor him, and the Kennedy half dollar was born. The public, moved by sentiment and a love for shiny things, promptly hoarded them. The first ones were 90% silver, but by 1965 the silver content was slashed to 40%, and by 1971 it was gone completely, replaced by a common copper-nickel clad composition. This series of events effectively knocked the coin out of circulation as people held onto the silver ones and just sort of... forgot about the rest.
Today, the Kennedy half dollar is a ghost in the monetary machine. The U.S. Mint still produces them in Denver and Philadelphia, featuring JFK's 1961 inaugural profile on the front and the Presidential Seal on the back. However, they are no longer intended for general circulation. Instead, they're minted primarily for collectors who buy them directly from the Mint in bags and rolls. So, if you happen to find one in the wild, count yourself lucky. You’ve found a relic from a time when our change was bigger, heavier, and just a little bit classier. Just don't try to put it in a vending machine.
