Semi-Numismatic

1965 Kennedy Half Dollar MS-67 NGC (SMS)

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The year 1965 marked a significant transition for United States coinage, particularly for the fifty cent denomination. This issue represents the very first year the United States Mint utilized a forty percent silver composition for the Kennedy half dollar, a formula containing 0.1479 troy ounces of pure silver. This metallurgical shift makes the 1965 issue a fascinating study in mid-century minting history. The coin features the collaborative artistry of Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro. On the obverse, a detailed bust of President John F. Kennedy faces left, accompanied by the inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" split across the lower field. The reverse showcases a powerful heraldic eagle clutching a bundle of arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, surrounded by the country name and the denomination. Finding an example from this inaugural transitional year in such an exceptional state of preservation is remarkable. This particular specimen is certified in Mint State 67 (MS-67), displaying the crisp details and original luster that make this mid-century silver classic so captivating to examine.