Over 50 years ago, an event took place that changed American history. In its wake, a special coin was issued: the Kennedy half-dollar.
This year marks the coin’s 50th anniversary, and on Tuesday, August 5th, a new Kennedy half-dollar coin was revealed at the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois. The .9999 fine gold proofs were debuted following much fanfare in the coin world.
Its obvious historical and numismatic value aren’t the only things
the coin has going for it. One attribute that makes this coin so sought
after is its limited mintage. Buyers at the ANA World’s Fair of Money
were limited to one coin per household.
The coins will be
minted according to demand. As of now, only 40,000 gold coins have been
issued. More orders for the coins will be made based on the first
week’s sales. An unknown final mint amount usually drives the price
higher.
Commemorative coins are generally issued to honor the anniversary of a major event. The Kennedy anniversary half-dollar marks the first time a commemorative coin has been issued to honor a coin.
Many
numismatic experts thought it was an interesting choice to strike the
coin in 2014, rather than last year, which marked the 50th anniversary
of the beloved president’s passing. The somewhat unconventional choice
only adds to the coin’s appeal.
The U.S. Mint’s constitutional right to issue a gold half-dollar coin isn’t exactly clear. Congress has previously stated that the Mint didn’t have the constitutional authority to mint a gold dollar coin in reference to the Mint’s attempt to issue a gold Sacajawea dollar coin.
The total Kennedy anniversary set includes seven coins. As of now, the gold coin and the 2014 Anniversary Kennedy Two-Coin Clad Set are the only coins to be released.
The clad set also has no mint limit, and buyers
are allowed up to five of each product per household. The rest of the
Kennedy anniversary coins are scheduled for release in the fall.
The
last coins in the series will be the 50th Anniversary Kennedy
Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection containing four silver coins that are
90% silver.
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