I have several Kennedy Half Dollars from various years but all are Denver issues. There is a crack in the neck on a number of them. Prior to 1991 there is no crack. It’s a slow minor crack starting in 1992. Still small through 1995. In 1995 the same crack appears in 1995 through 2003 in both P and D mints. I only did a photo of 1997-D as that is the longest and deepest crack.
Ditto. The OP is a numismatist. BTW, it looks more like a long depression rather than a raised crack. I agree that it's part of the design.
I did say a crack but you are correct, as the crack goes down. It’s not raised. From 1964 to 1991, there’s nothing. Then is starts and gets a bit larger each year. In 2015 it’s barely there and the next year to date, nothing.
Looking at my JFK's I see that feature from the very beginning. Sometimes it is very faint and other times it is very pronounced.
It reminds me of some of the design modifications to the hair on the Lincoln Cent. Part probably depends on how fresh the dies are. Even the memorial on the cent loses some sharpness at the pillars and roof supports as the dies get older and more worn.
The OP is right, my collection of JFKs also shows the "crack" from 1992 on. With wear, though, it's not very noticeable.
I did make a mistake as I said crack. Cracks are raised but this is not. It’s like a a crack that went down and not up. It’s slightly crooked and nowhere near straight.
You have a very strong strike on that Kennedy, in my experience, most Kennedy's have a weak strike. Couple that with wear and the "crack" can be hard to see. I always look at the hair right below the part to help judge strike strength. On most Kennedy's that part of the hair is almost smooth. Your coin shows better detail then most.
A good number of my Kennedy’s are stronger than normal strikes. That’s why I’m surprised to see this.
The obv hub on the Kennedy has been modified many times during the series run and that probably explains the changes in the crease on the neck.
