Should we or should we not change the half dollar that is the question? The half dollar of today has had the same design for 54 years.
@Paddy54 why just eliminate the Cent? Why not the 5 Cent as well? Both cost more than face to make. I’m not taunting you, I am curious as to your reasoning.
No need for a half dollar in commerce or vending. If they make a new design they will prob start making only proofs for collectors.
I agree with Michael K. It is unneeded and should become an obsolete denomination like the 1/2, 2, 3, and 20 cent pieces.
currently this is already the case. Kennedy Halves are only minted for Mint Sets, Proof Sets, and collector purchases in rolls and bags directly from the Mint.
I agree , Now if a time came with economy collapse and They thought for some reason it was needed then ok But I think two Quarters would be just fine.
Personally, I prefer thematic designs that don't have portraits of actual persons. Regarding misbehavior by folks who appear on US coins and currency past and present, Kennedy was hardly the worst by a long shot. The half and penny should go away completely though. Cal
Then you don't understand the concept of seignorage. The profit from making every one of these Half Dollar coins is captured when they monetize the coins and that profit goes directly to the US government. IOW, It's revenue. Stop making the coins, and lose a revenue stream to our government.
One of the many half dollars I still search for although Franklins are my favorite. You're right 50+ years is a bit long for a series
Yes, fifty years is a long run to be certain. Not to mention, half dollars confuse young shop clerks that have no place for them in the register. But is this not one of the most inspired coin designs of the 21st century? It's such a powerful image to me. I would sure hate to see it go.
edited: One of my earliest memories was my kindergarten teacher in El Paso Texas telling us the president was killed in Texas. And she was fully overcome with emotion. No doubt that common folk were very drawn to the man. Good, bad, right, wrong.... The way he was taken was unfair and affected all in that time.
If the minting of half dollars for collectors provides a needed revenue stream for the government, then a design change might just spur collector interest and increase that revenue.
Since several of you obviously have not read the rules, I will say read the part about No political discussions,among others. Please read them ...those who posts are missing, expect a little note in your 'conversations' Obviously stop the political innuendoes and banter. Jim
Should we change it yes, but we won’t since it doesn’t really matter since it’s just for collectors now.
They may be for collectors but they are still making clad halves. As for seigniorage, they really can't be making that much on the production of 3 million halves when you consider raw materials, salaries, other expenses involved. Let them just make a limited edition of 40% or 90% silver proofs. That mark up to collectors would be much more than the seigniorage, and they could produce 1/10 as many coins.
I think they should change all coin designs back to lady liberty not dead presidents. I hate all new us circulating coin designs
Well, as nice an idea as Lady Liberty may be to collectors, the Congress considers THAT to be excessively “political”.