50th Anniversary Kennedy Silver Coin Collection Release

Tomorrow, October 28, 2014, the United States Mint begins accepting orders for the 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection.

The collection of four silver coins becomes available at Noon (Eastern) and will be sold for $99.95. A product limit of 300,000 has been established along with a household order limit of five.

Found within the collection are four Kennedy half-dollar silver coins featured in four different finishes and from four different United State Mint facilities. The silver coins include:

• 2014-W Reverse Proof Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar (struck at the US Mint facility in West Point)
• 2014-P Proof Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar (struck at the US Mint facility in Philadelphia)
• 2014-S Enhanced Uncirculated Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar (struck at the US Mint facility in San Francisco)
• 2014-D Uncirculated Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar (struck at the US Mint facility in Denver)

All are exclusive to the collection and will not be issued individually or as part of other sets by the United States Mint.

Original Designs

Each of the silver coins includes a portrait of President John F. Kennedy as originally created for 1964 half-dollars by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts. It was modified in the 1990’s but the portrait on these 50th anniversary coins has been digitally restored to replicate the original 1964 design.

Of the four silver coins, two include specialized finishes — the 2014-W Reverse Proof Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar and the 2014-S Enhanced Uncirculated Kennedy Silver Half-Dollar. The reverse proof coin showcases mirror-like raised elements with a frosted background which is opposite of standard proof coins from the U.S. Mint. The enhanced uncirculated Kennedy half is described by the U.S. Mint:

"The enhanced uncirculated finish coin features a special wire brushing technique. The portrait, lettering, and border on the obverse (heads), and the lettering and border on the reverse (tails), will receive a heavy laser frosting treatment. Other elements of the eagle on the reverse will receive a standard (moderate) laser frosting treatment to enhance certain artistic detail. The stars will receive a laser polish technique to accentuate them against the field."

Offered on the reverse of each Kennedy half-dollar is a modified Presidential Seal. The image was designed by Frank Gasparro and has been seen on the Kennedy halves since their introduction in 1964.

Silver Content

Each half-dollar of the Kennedy Silver Coin Collection is composed of 90% silver. Combined, the four coins have a total silver weight of 1.44 troy ounces of the precious metal. Based on today’s London price for silver of $17.18 an ounce, the set has a melt value of $24.74.

Packaging and Ordering

The four silver coins are encapsulated and secured in coin wells of the trifold presentation folder. A certificate of authenticity and a booklet with information and imagery of the 1964 Kennedy Half-Dollar design are found in a panel of the folder.

Orders for the 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection may be placed directly with the United States Mint, when released, via its online store located at www.usmint.com/catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). The online product page for the collection is located here.