Did they make Kennedy half dollars as early as 1964?

Answer by  monkeyz (3150)

Yes. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and in 1964 they first minted the Kennedy half dollar. Originally the half dollar featured Benjamin Franklin, and it would have featured Franklin for at least another nine years if Kennedy had not been assassinated and Congress had not rushed to pass a bill allowing the change before it was possible.

Answer by  Gunrunner (561)

The first year Kennedy half dollars were produced was 1964. This is also the last year that circulating half dollar coins contained an appreciable measure of silver. Beginning in 1965, circulating Kennedy half dollars, Washington quarters, and Roosevelt dimes contained very little silver. From 1948 to 1963, the half dollar bore the likeness of Benjamin Franklin on the front.