I keep reading about Half dollar design changes, has anyone heard of any? Perhaps only a reverse design change? Or after 50 years of Kennedy half dollars? Any legislation pending?
I haven't heard anything official, just rumors like for the other designs as well. Once a prez goes on a coin, it's really really hard to take him off because of politics. So far, everytime a prez has gone on circulating coinage, he has stayed for good (except for the Ike Dollar - but that was the last big dollar coin).
I'd have to check the original legislation that approved the image of Kennedy for the half. There was a bill passed to approve putting Kennedy on the half before the mandatory time lapse following his death. That said the Secretary of the Treasury is empowered to change any design after it has been in production after 25 years. Others can chime in here, but I believe a change can be made without special legislation.
Reverse I was thinking more of a reverse change than the obverse. Maybe a different reverse each year, as the Sacagawea dollar is presently doing. The Kennedy series is growing quite fast now with six coins a year. Regular strike P & D, Satin strike P & D, Regular proof, Silver proof. Thirty coins added to the series since the satin finish coins arrived in 2005.
Wasn't the Kennedy half like the Washington quarter in that it was originally authorized as a commemorative coin and not intended to go beyond a year or two? I thought I read that somewhere. I don't think Presidents would be so boring on coins if they'd get a bit more creative. The old Greek bust style has always been a bore since time began. These people were more than statuettes. Guy~
coleguy partial quote: I don't think Presidents would be so boring on coins if they'd get a bit more creative. .......yeah like the prez playing b-ball or somethin' on the reverse.
Posts! I just keep reading posts on forums talking about a half dollar changes. I was just wondering if there was anything actually taking place. Or if it is just talk.
The Secretary of the Treasury has had the power to change the design of the half dollar since 1989. I did take special legislation to get Kennedy on the half but the coinage act of 1890 allows it to be changed after 25 without congressional approval.
Yes. After Kennedy's death, the 1964 Kennedy was suppose to be a one year commemorative and then back to Franklin. But, as been stated, once you get a dead president on a coin, it is very, very difficult to get him off. The 1964 Kennedy proved to be VERY popular with the public, and 45 years later, he is still there. I would like to see these have different designs more so than another quarter series, but alas, too late for that....
Yes. My bad. I thought I had read somewhere that it was supposed to be for one year, but I just checked and I either dreamed it or someone was mistaken because it was permanent from the start....
Kennedy half I agree that the Kennedy half reverse can be used more creatively. I have seen talk in Coin World articles about changing the reverse each year to commemorate something, but nothing happening yet. And they keep messing with the obverse portraits, have anyone else noticed that? Compare the 1964 bust with the latest bust. It has different hair and lower relief. I suppose I'm happy that we got anything worthwhile out of committees for commemorative coins. But they don't touch the half. I wish they would be more creative. They missed another opportunity this year........ they could have commemorated the 40th anniversary of the moon landing with the Kennedy name. Oh well.... there's always the 50th anniversary! JMHO
