Half Dollars - Why?

Hey. Where in blazes ya been? I had to check the date on the thread to make sure I wasn't reading something that was two years old.

Missed ya buddy....

 

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As long as the baby boomers are still alive and Kennedys are still a political influence, Kennedy half dollars will be made.

 

I personally like the kennedy's and wish they would stay. They're fun to spend and see people reactions. I agree though they don't circulate that well. I got one in my change at a Harland Globe trotters game about 3 years ago and I get them as change at local coin stores. Those are the only times in recent memory that I've gotten them in my change.

 

I used to believe this Chris but the reality is that the Law "authorizes" the US Mint to produce Half Dollar coins but does not "require" them to be produced.

The US Mint continues to produce these coins solely to satisfy collector needs. This accounts for the dwindling annual production in recent years. 1.9 - 1.7 million for each branch in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

The US Mint is authorized to produce all the current denomination of coins used in the country but if the Federal Reserve Bank (their primary customer) does not order any then they stop the presses as they did in 2009 for the Jefferson Nickels and Roosevelt Dimes as reported in the May 11, 2009 issue of Coin World. Both of those years have extremely low mintages for nickels (86.64M) and dimes (146M).

For those that subscribe to the online digital version of Coin World, here's the link (which also mentions Kennedy Half Production for collectors only):

http://editions.amospublishing.com/WDCN/default.aspx?d=20090511

 

You beat me to the punch Conder!

 

This is an incorrect understanding. NO Kennedy Half Dollars are being sent to the Federal Reserve Bank.