The Transition From Franklin Halves To Kennedy Halves

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Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 1,922
TheForce Pillar of the Community United States 4867 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 09:24 am It is my understanding that the Franklin 50 cent pieces ended 4 years early by an act of Congress to commemorate Kennedy. Had Kennedy not been assassinated, would we have had Franklin's to this day or would they have changed it up after the 25 year minimum? I also found it interesting that Kennedy could have been on the quarter but his wife wanted Washington to stay on the quarter and rightfully so. Having said all that, how long will Kennedy be commemorated on the 50 cent piece? Indefinitely? Is it time for someone new? Report this Post to the Staff

Bryan78 Pillar of the Community United States 1068 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 09:28 am I imagine indefinitely since half dollar isn't even produced for circulation so there is no reason to change it. Report this Post to the Staff
Biedercoins Pillar of the Community United States 1601 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 10:36 am Franklin halves were only minted for 16 years, so it was definitely short compared to other halves. I have to agree with Bryan in that they're no longer minted for circulation* so there's little or no push from the public for a new design. Look at the headlines: there is still considerable interest in the life and untimely death of JFK. Frankly, I'd welcome a return to Liberty. Why not shift the design of the coins and medals from this year to the half dollar? Or use Mercanti's concept design for the small dollar that got canned in favor of the SBA? *I buy an extra roll for spending over the course of the year just so I can make some collector's day a little brighter! Report this Post to the Staff
TNG Bedrock of the Community United States 10284 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 10:38 am Wouldn't the Kennedy half be a Commemorative coin? I think it was such an event that shocked the world that it stayed on. The new design was and is an eye catching work of art, so it remains. I bet if you asked a 3rd grader who it is on a Kennedy half, they would not know very much about it or JFK for that matter today. They might not even know what the coin is being it a half dollar. When I drove a school bus, I used to ask the kids "What happened on this day?" on anniversaries of historical events. Hardly ever did any of them know the answers. I wondered what they were teaching in school! Us older folks, 60 and over, even as little kids remember where we were, and what we were doing when we heard of the assassination on November 22, 1963. Just like we remember Sept 11, 2001. I do believe that the Franklin would have gone on much longer. At least through the 40% silver years and into the clad years for some time. It would have probably become the candidate for the "State Halves" and " ATB Halves" too. That would have been neat. Personally, I like the Franklin over the Kennedy. I'm pretty sure Franklin is the only dead guy on a US circulating coin that is not a dead president. That may also have something to do with it not returning. Edited by TNG 10/23/2017 10:45 am Report this Post to the Staff
TheForce Pillar of the Community United States 4867 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 10:51 am Definitely some good points there. The mint probably could have pushed the use of halves if they had done ATB designs. Though not a fan of that series, they would look better on a larger coin for sure. The thought of a Franklin clad is interesting. Right now I am quite burned out on long run multi-design issues like ATB and yearn for a new regular design. And I do agree about having more Liberty coins instead of a bunch of dead guys all the time. Report this Post to the Staff
moxking Rest in Peace United States 17900 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 12:48 pm One of the primary reasons I've kept my US collection ending in 1964 was because of the plethora of types that began in the 80's and have continued. Bunches of commemoratives, silver and clad, proof or reverse proof or Ultra proof, ASE's and gold and platinum and Palladiam, mint sets, proof sets of many types - just too much. You would have to be seriously rich to buy one of each. So while I respect collectors desire for continuity or for variety, I think both are available right now. I just hope to goodness the US Mint doesn't follow in the footsteps of the RCM. Even if you were rich enough to buy one of each of their productions, within a couple years you'd need to buy another house just to store them in. Report this Post to the Staff
basebal21 Bedrock of the Community 13014 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 1:47 pm Quote: Had Kennedy not been assassinated, would we have had Franklin's to this day or would they have changed it up after the 25 year minimum? No way to ever know for sure, but everything else is the same from 63 so it is a pretty educated guess that we'd still have Franklins if the assassination never happened. As far as how long Kennedy will stay on the half, probably a long long time. They have no real reason to switch it unless congress decides to make them switch. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187950 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 2:41 pm Seeing as how every other current sub-half dollar design subject is older, I can guarantee that we would still have Franklin half dollars today. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 4:03 pm I guess that makes sense logically, though it's scary to think about. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187950 Posts	Posted 10/23/2017 6:08 pm No scarier than the other four guys to whom we have become accustomed. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
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