Numismatic

1965 Kennedy Half Dollar SMS MS-67 NGC

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The year 1965 marked a significant transition in American coinage, particularly for the Kennedy Half Dollar. This specific specimen is a Special Mint Set issue, struck with a distinctive finish that sets it apart from standard circulating coinage of the era. Crafted with a composition containing 0.1479 troy ounces of silver, this fifty-cent piece represents a fascinating moment in United States numismatic history. The obverse of the coin features a detailed bust of President John F. Kennedy, facing left. The design, created by Gilroy Roberts, is accompanied by the poignant inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" split across the lower half of the portrait, with the date 1965 positioned at the bottom rim. On the reverse, designed by Frank Gasparro, a powerful heraldic eagle is depicted holding a bundle of arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, symbolizing both strength and peace. The eagle is surrounded by the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "HALF DOLLAR". The traditional motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is also visible, completing a classic piece of American design that has been certified in an exceptional Mint State 67 condition.