It’s a safe bet to assume that the most sought 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar product will be this fall’s release of the 2014 Kennedy Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection with its four 90% silver coins for $99.95.
Better than clad and cheaper than gold, collectors like silver. The set has that times four with the added lure of coins bearing varying finishes and struck from all U.S. Mint production facilities. Pent-up demand is already building for these sets. Its release follows an already strong-selling 2014 Kennedy Half-Dollar Clad Set and the highly anticipated Aug. 5 debut of the 1964-2014 24K Kennedy Half-Dollar Gold Coin.
Commemorating the semicentennial of the Kennedy half-dollar, all the 50th anniversary coins uniquely feature the original 1964 portrait design by Gilroy Roberts. This portrait has changed over the years. Modern coinage shows very noticeable differences in Kennedy’s hair, cheek and chin, and the relief appears lower than Roberts’ original design. Within the 2014 Kennedy Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection are:
- One reverse proof coin from the U.S. Mint at West Point
- One proof coin from the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia
- One enhanced uncirculated coin from the U.S. Mint at San Francisco, and
- One uncirculated coin from the U.S. Mint at Denver.
Images of these four coins are yet to be published by the U.S. Mint, but we do have photos of the reverse proof. We snapped many shots of the silver coins as they were struck and encapsulated last week at the West Point Mint. Several are below, taken from different angles and under varying lighting conditions. The photos, frankly, do not capture how the coins appear in person — they are far more attractive in hand. But they do, when taken in their entirety, offer a fair representation.
I’ll begin with a few photos of the obverse or heads side of the coin. You’ll notice its reverse proof finish is opposite of that of standard proof coins. The raised designs, in this case the portrait of Kennedy and the surrounding inscriptions, are mirror-like to contrast against a background of a frosted field.
Next are a few photos of the reverse or tails side of the coin. This side bears the standard Frank Gasparro rendition of the Presidential Seal, which consists of a heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast, holding a symbolic olive branch and a bundle of 13 arrows. These elements are vibrant in reverse proof.
I debated on including a video we took of the silver coins. The lighting and camera settings were off and the coin designs look washed out as a result. Still, the video offers some sense of how the coins look in person so I reluctantly added it.
Finally, to follow are a few more photos of the reverse proof half-dollars.
One question I have is, how come some of the coins are “heads up” and others are “tails up?”
Victor, the coins are normally placed heads side up. We asked for a few to be turned for photos.
Is this another “mint to demand” deal that will take 3 months to ship?
3 months sounds a little quick how about 4 months with multiple ship dates.the 2013 reverse silver eagle set was delivered in October purchased in June. .
WHAT IS TH ANTICIPATED RELEASE DATE FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY KENNEDY HALF-DOLLAR FOUR COIN 90% SILVER COIN COLLECTION.
The US mint is coming out with some beautiful coins! Good job US mint.
Don’t think there is an announced date yet?
I’m thinking sometime in October.
I am eagerly waiting for the silver set to be released. Hopefully they have enough sets on hand much like the uncirculated sets for the early birds.
Beautiful coin. I can hardly wait!
I would however have thought that that the mintmark would have been placed in the 1964 position ? ! ? !
I agree with Half Hunter but I guess its too late now.
will there be a mintage limit?
I’ll be happy, if I can get ONE set
I’ll wait for 3 months, as long as the don’t look like they were dragged behind a truck, lol
I enjoy the reverse proof & enhanced uncs
Please notify me when the four coin silver collection is going to be released. I will buy it immediately ! Thanks
I have not been collecting coins long… when I received my 50th anniversary sets I noticed a difference in the P + D coins in the R in liberty on the P coins the hair on Kennedy’s head fills the lower part of the R the D coins have a clear separation is this a variation or something I do not no but there is a difference?
First, how many sets did you purchase? Do they all look the same? If so, you have just what the mint wanted to produce. If one set is different than the others, you have a “variety” and it could be worth more than you paid for it. Let us know.
got 5 sets on the Ds the hair fills the bottom of the R the Ps have a gap between the R. I think others should look for this difference and see if they see what I see?.
if there is a difference do I get credit for finding it.
bobby
Bob, if they all have the same look, that’s what the mint wanted. Remember, the 64 half dollar looks so much different than the 2014 halves. These were made for collectors, and are not the circulation strike.
I am kind of new to coins but I have been collecting stuff for 40 years .this year I decided to attempt to put a kennedy set together. the kennedy coins are supposed to match the original 64 kennedy the 64 has one hair into the bottom right tail of the R. dosnt matter the 2014 P n D dies should be exactly the same I don’t think they are. how or why these coins are different I do not no. all 5 of the Ps show a difference in the hair in the R from completely full of hair… Read more »
after looking at other coins it seems 3 of the 5 Denver coins have a high R all the others the bottom of the R is filled with hair?.
Believe the release date is October 28.
I can’t wait for the release of the Kennedy silver sets! My first purchase of gold coins was the anniversary Kennedy coin. I scraped up the cash to set aside 2 for my grand daughters. I love them, although I can’t stop thinking of how much silver I could have purchased with that money!
I just got a Barber half dollar to complete my half dollar collection. I don’t know why, but out of all my coins, even my 1865 3 cent piece, the half dollar was always my favorite coin. I’d like to make these new Kennedy proofs my Christmas gifts this year, but I’m wondering if I can get them in time. I gave a Morgan silver dollars to my grand nephews and nieces 2 years ago for Christmas and now one of them has become a collector. His mother says he gets five bucks in change every time he goes to… Read more »
Way to go Frank. Yep a nice set to collect been there !
I’m HOPING to get 2 sets of the 4 coin new Kennedy’s, if I can get through on Oct 28th. Unless the Mint hustles, delivery may not be this calendar, possibly Mid-Jan into Feb
Keep on Chugilin’
Does anyone know if the Mint will be releasing/selling these at the Whitman Baltimore show? The Mint indicated that its releasing this set on October 28 which is a few days before the Baltimore Show begins which is on the 30th… perhaps thats so ST and KL dont bring in the homeless to the Show!?
According to coin world, there will be NO sales by the Mint at the show
Ordered on Nov. 28th. and rec.on the 31st.
Rev Proof is by far the best coin.
Gary
Ordered online 10/28@ 11:05
Received order 10/31@ 10:10
Reverse proof is stunning, as well as the enhanced unc.
I suppose we have PF & MS70s
At least first day releases, lol
I have had the luck to be a part of a couple different stores that sold collectibles. I have sent items in for grading with not much luck at receiving the grades I thought I should have gotten. it is my opinion if you want graded you should buy them already graded. I know that with some limited items you might want to get them any way you can. if the sales of the new four coin kennedy,s keep up they will be sold out in a couple weeks. being a part of selling different items I have seen that… Read more »
Bobby, I agree 100% with what you said. “If you want a 70 coin, buy a 70 coin, already graded.” Leave the blind grading to those who really believe there is a grading fairy out there, making sure everyone get an even break. Why am I skeptical, well look at the special label NGC, PCGS and others are putting on the slabs. Really!!!! Does anyone think, believe or even fantasize, Pete Rose’s “Authorized Facsimile Autograph” is anything but a way to add many dollars to the price. For God’s sake, I saw Halloween Labels, affixed to already issued coins for… Read more »
it is people like us that drive these products up in prices. we have to be the first to have it. I am guilty. someone said he flipped them for a profit good for him. I would believe that everyone on this site is a collector. but most don’t collect with there heads we use our wallets. I would like to believe that the only reason i buy early is to get something special to sell for a profit while there hot hoping to buy them graded 70s latter with the profit?. I have seen a lot of collections for… Read more »
Victor, I agree with you about the grading companies. First, they are not getting the grades right all the time or do not explain the grade on the label. I have a PCGS grading book that is about 20 years old or so, and I used it to grade a slabbed 1851 Large Cent on eBay that was graded as XF by PCGS. Using their grading system from 20 years ago, I got a VF-25 grade, not even Choice Very Fine. Now it is possible that for that die variety of 1851 Large Cent that this was an accurate grade,… Read more »
I would not be happy with the grade the die variation should have been reconized.i would contact pcgs and ask for a regrade. even though they made the mistake you are still out the cost of shipping?.if I am buying I prefer pcgs when having one graded I use ngc. i prefer my personal collection to be pcgs. but i have had no luck with there grading services. the last time i used pcgs i sent some silver eagles to them on there worst day i guessed a couple 68s. i got a couple 68s the rest were far worse.… Read more »
I love this set !!!!
Would be great if it ended here the half dollar. Wish they would make a silver dollar Kennedy for 2015 999 pure Silver..
victor I also started with cards and I have only been dealing with coins for about 4 years there is a lot I don’t know I have not sent my sets of the 2 coin kennedys there not grading very good but if I thought they were different I would. I don’t know if a strong or week strike qualifies?. what you think. I would also like to here from others if there coins have the same or different variation or strong and week strike? my coins I could say that I have five different coins would the graders feel… Read more »
The reverse proofs are my favorite and i have 5 sets i recieved within 1 week of ordering 2 in 1 box 3 in a box that remains sealed. I know 5 diffrent people whos reverse PR was graded 68 REST OF COINS MS-69,PR69 and SP69 none of them recieved a 70 seemed odd have always preffered PCGS.How has everybody elses luck been?Input would be appriciated! Thank you..
RJ, I too have un-opened sets. I will not send them in for grading, I’ll leave that to whomever buys them from me or inherits them. I will have a set of 70’s, though. I’ll purchase them. 🙂
Is there a difference when someone sells a penny saying proof from mint set. Or from proof mint set. Is one a uncirculated and the other a proof. Thanks Cheech
What is the value of the set now