Numismatic

1981-D Kennedy Half Dollar BU

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The 1981 Kennedy half dollar, struck at the Denver Mint, represents a classic era of modern American coinage. This particular issue is preserved in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, showcasing the original luster and sharp details of the coin as it looked when it first left the coining press. Structurally, the coin is composed of a copper and nickel outer layer bonded to a core of pure copper, a standard composition for circulating half dollars of this period. On the obverse, a left-facing portrait of President John F. Kennedy dominates the design. Created by Gilroy Roberts, this bust captures the likeness of the president with the inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" split across the lower half of the field. The year 1981 is anchored at the bottom, accompanied by the "D" mint mark indicating its origin in Denver. The reverse side, designed by Frank Gasparro, features a powerful heraldic eagle. The eagle holds a bundle of arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, symbolizing both strength and peace. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the face value "HALF DOLLAR" frame this central design, making the coin a fascinating piece of American artistic history to study and appreciate.