With today marking 48 years since the death of JFK, I'm wondering if the mint is considering a special issue of the Half Dollar commemorating the 50th anniversary of the coin for 2014?
I could go for that, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone in Congress didn't try to tack on a rider requiring a 50th Anniversary commem for November 22, 1963 as well. Chris
Perhaps a redesign of the coin is in order I like the Kennedy half a great deal, yet I think a redesign for the fifty cent piece is certainly due. After 50 years, this coin has run it's course and is now useless (virtually unused, at least) in normal transactions. I wonder if a new fifty cent piece can be successfully designed so it is embraced by both the general public and collectors. I have some ideas what I would like to see in such a coin, but a redesign is tricky business and would need careful consideration to make it a success.
The first anniversary is after the first year of issue. 1964 was the first year of issue so 1965 would be the first anniversary, making 2013 the fiftieth year of issue and 2014 the fiftieth anniversary.
I think a new subject for the half dollar is a good idea. 50 years for a coin is a long time. The Roosevelt, too, and perhaps even the cent. Sometimes new is a revitalizing thing. . . although I'm kind of shaken by the job they did on Jefferson recently. JFK is an interesting person, pro and con; the obverse is a handsome portrait. The reverse is blase: just the presidential seal tacked on. Heck, let's do away with presidents entirely. I'd love to see a buffalo nickel again or an Indian on a coin, something like St. Gauden's eagle design would be wonderful.
There was a special 1996W Roosevelt dime issued in that year's uncirculated mint set. Perhaps we will have a 2014W Kennedy half dollar.
Personally, I like Frank Gasparro's rendition of the Presidential Seal, but I do wish that Congress would enact legislation authorizing the use of the half dollar for a series of commems. They would look so much nicer than the dollar and quarter-dollar designs the Mint is producing now. This is a working copy of the actual seal that is in the Rotunda of the US Capitol building. My brother, who then worked for the Smithsonian, was asked to produce a copy for President Reagan to display in the White House. (The original was being worn down from tourists touching it.) My brother was allowed to keep the working copy for his efforts, and he gave it to our Dad who was a big Reagan fan. After both our parents passed, my brother didn't want it returned, so it was passed along to me. I didn't have any place to put it on display, so after a couple of years, I showed photos of it to Christine Karstedt of Stack's while at the FUN Show. She was anxious to put it in the auction the following year. They (Stack's) suggested that an opening bid of $7500 would be appropriate, but it didn't sell. A couple of weeks later, Christine called me and said that one of her clients was interested in purchasing it for $5K. I agreed to the sale, and Christine refused to accept any commission on behalf of Stack's. Chris
Grampa dave I wouldn't be suprized that the mint will issue 3 different Kennedy's commemorating one of our popular president. First issue: Early years- PT109 Second Issue: Presidential years - Cuban missile crisis Third Issue: Our President assisination crisis
If they do make an anniversary half dollar I hope they make a special design if not a new design for the series. I do like the JFK obverse but maybe another portrait? I mean they used other portraits for the Nickel. And a different reverse would be nice too.