Kennedy Half Design Change.

Such a misleading title. My first thought was that they are going to change the Kennedy design in 2020 or something.

Anyway, I had never noticed that difference before. Interesting.

Thanks alpha. That's kind of what I was seeing as well sometime in the 80s

Thanks again alpha!! Going to have to research this a bit more to find the exact year. I literally can't find a single thing about it. It's like no one noticed

It could be a transition thing. This site says that "Differences may be noted on the obverse design for [1985] and other issues of the mid-1980's. There is considerably less detail present in the hair and facial features as compared to the original design from 1964." On that same site's page for 1987, "the half dollar was not produced for circulation but only issued within uncirculated mint sets".

So I'm wondering if that slight design change for 1985 also introduced a hint of those little dents on the reverse, while they were made more distinct in 1987 as a non-circulating piece.