USA ½ dollar Kennedy Half Dollar 1970
USA, Denver
Rarity
Common
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 202a |
| Mintage | 2,150,000 |
| Metal | Silver 0.400 |
| thickness | 2.15 mm |
| diameter | 30.6 mm |
| weight | 11.5 g |
Obverse:
Head of state
Description:
John F. Kennedy (35th President of the USA)
Creators:
Gilroy Roberts
IN GOD WE TRUST
LIBERTY
Reverse:
Coat of arms
Description:
Eagle (heraldry)
Creators:
Frank Gasparro (FG)
E PLURIBUS UNUM
FG
HALF DOLLAR
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
In 1970 a bill was pending in Congress that would both authorize the coining of a new dollar piece and eliminate silver entirely from the circulating half dollar. The U. S. Mint coined only enough half dollars that year to provide for the annual Uncirculated Sets ordered by collectors, since it was not certain when the bill would pass. It did, but not until the very last day of the year, and the collector coins proved to be the entire mintage of 1970-D half dollars. This was a lucky bonus to loyal purchasers of these sets, and the price of this coin rose sharply for a year or two after issue. It still carries a somewhat more modest premium today. This date was poorly made for the most part, the dies appearing a bit indistinct when new and then being used entirely too long. Gems are not rare, but the certified population grading higher than MS-65 is rather limited. There's a higher incidence of prooflike (PL) and even deep prooflike (DPL) coins than for earlier dates in the series, and this anomaly has not been explained. There are a few very minor doubled-die reverse varieties for 1970-D, but this issue is otherwise uninteresting to the variety specialist.Read More
