The Kennedy Half Dollar was released in 1964--shortly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The coin was minted from a silver clad composition from 1964 to 1970, when it was replaced by a copper-nickel alloy. Beginning in 2002, as demand and use of the half dollar wavered, the United States Mint stopped producing the coins for general circulation. Now, collectors must obtain both uncirculated and proof versions of the coin directly from the mint (or through a reliable coin dealer).
