Photos used with permission and courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries

Description:
Within a few days of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, Mint Director Eva Adams notified Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts of the Treasury Department’s intent to place Kennedy’s portrait on one of the U.S. silver coins. The tragic death of the dynamic and popular President was to result in the renaming of many public buildings and roads after him, and the same expression of grief created a desire to honor the slain President on a coin. The recognition of a former president on a circulating coin was hardly unprecedented, having begun with the placement of Lincoln’s portrait on the cent in 1909 (died 1865), followed by Washington on the quarter in 1932 (died 1799), Jefferson on the nickel in 1938 (died 1826), and Franklin Roosevelt on the dime in 1946 (died 1945). Roosevelt’s portrait was added to the dime only one year after his death; and there was considerable pressure to put Kennedy’s portrait on a coin as quickly as possible.

Several of the other circulating coins were considered for the memoriam but all were rejected for a variety of reasons. Jacqueline Kennedy, the President’s widow, was not in favor of replacing the Washington portrait on the quarter. Though considered, silver dollars had not been minted for circulation since 1935 (although in 1964 Peace dollars were minted again, none of which circulated and all of which were presumably destroyed). Apparently no serious consideration was given to changing the portraits on the cent, nickel or dime. Director Adams, on or near November 27, informed Engraver Roberts that the half dollar was the choice, and that the head and eagle that appeared on Kennedy’s inaugural medal were to be the prototypes for the new coin. In spite of a nationwide coin shortage at the time, and with plans for the Kennedy coin well along, the Treasury Department did not want to issue 1964-dated Franklin half dollars. The short schedule from plan to implementation was accomplished because the original models for the Kennedy medal were available, and both Chief Engraver Roberts (obverse) and Assistant Engraver Frank Gasparro (reverse) were accomplished artisans.

One last potential obstacle was the Act of September 26, 1890, which mandated a minimum of 25 years between coin design changes, unless otherwise authorized by Congress. The Franklin half had been minted only since 1948, but Kennedy’s popularity along with promotion by President Lyndon B. Johnson were sufficient to secure Congressional authorization for the change. Hundreds of millions of Kennedy half dollars were minted in 1964, significantly more than the total number of Franklin halves produced in 1963, but nearly all were saved by collectors (including those who wanted only a souvenir of the late President) and investors; very few circulated. The 1964 half dollar was the last business strike 90 percent silver half dollar. From 1965 through 1970, and again in 1976 for the Bicentennial, 40 percent silver Kennedy halves were made in a silver-copper clad composition, and from 1971 forward in the same copper-nickel clad composition used for the dime and quarter since 1965. Silver proof Kennedy half dollars have been minted yearly since 1992.

A left-facing portrait of Kennedy, slightly high on the flan, occupies the center of the obverse. The word LIBERTY, BER partially obscured by the top of Kennedy’s head, follows to the inside of the flat rim around slightly more than the top half of the coin. The date is at bottom, with widely spaced numerals concentric to the rim. IN GOD WE TRUST, in two sections separated by the tip of the neck, is in a horizontal line above the date. On the neck truncation is a monogram of Gilroy Robert’s initials GR. The reverse displays the Presidential Coat of Arms in the center: an eagle with outstretched wings, shield over the body, left claw (viewer’s right) holding a bundle of arrows, the right an olive branch, and in its beak the end of a curved banner displaying E PLURIBUS UNUM. Between the left wing and the eagle’s head are four tiny five-point stars, joined by nine more in an arc above the banner. Above those nine stars is an arc of thirteen connected dot-like clouds. Extending upward from the top of the eagle through the clouds are sun-like rays. Concentric to the flat rim is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the top and HALF DOLLAR at the bottom, the two phrases separated by centered dots. Between the text and the eagle is a concentric circle of 50 small five-point stars. Frank Gasparro’s initials FG are between the eagle’s tail and the left leg. Silver Kennedy half dollars were minted at Philadelphia and Denver; the D mintmark is to the left of the bottom tip of the olive branch.

A few thousand business strike silver Kennedy half dollars have been certified, more from the Philadelphia Mint. Prices are modest through MS66, expensive as MS67, and very expensive as MS68. Special Mint Set 1964 halves are expensive at lower grades, very expensive as MS67 and finer. Several thousand proof silver 1964 Kennedy halves have been certified, including many as Cameo and Deep Cameo. Proofs are modestly priced through PR69, expensive as PR70; Deep Cameo 1964 examples are expensive as PR69. Heavily Accented Hair Deep Cameo pieces are expensive as PR66 and finer.

Specifications:
Designer: Gilroy Roberts, obverse; Frank Gasparro, reverse
Circulation Mintage: high 273,304,004 (1964), low 156,205,446 (1964-D)
Proof Mintage: high 3,950,762 (1964 only)
Denomination: Fifty cents (50/100)
Diameter: 30.6 mm; reeded edge
Metal Content: 90% silver, 10% copper
Weight: 12.50 grams
Varieties: A few known, including 1964 Heavily Accented Hair (proofs only; individual hairs are more apparent), 1964 and 1964-D Doubled Die Obverse; and other minor die variations.

Additional Resources:
CoinFacts: www.coinfacts.com
Coin Encyclopedia: www.ngccoin.com
The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins. R.S Yeoman (author), Kenneth Bressett (editor). Whitman Publishing.
A Guide Book of United States Type Coins. Q. David Bowers. Whitman Publishing.
United States Coinage: A Study by Type. Ron Guth and Jeff Garrett. Whitman Publishing.
The Experts Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins. Q. David Bowers. Whitman Publishing.
The U.S. Mint and Coinage. Don Taxay. Arco Publishing
Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins. Walter Breen. Doubleday.

Last Updated : 06/29/2009

Photos used with permission and courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries

Description:
Charles Barber’s quarter dollar design was introduced in 1892, a beneficiary of the provision of the Mint Act of 1890 which allowed for the design of a coin to be changed every 25 years. Though not mandated by law, Barber’s designs for the dime, quarter, and half dollar were set aside in 1916. Mint Director Robert W. Woolley had invited three renown sculptors outside the Mint to produce designs for all three denominations, possibly intending that each coin would display the efforts of a different artist. However, Adolph A. Weinman captured two of the three prizes, for the dime and the half dollar. Hermon A. MacNeil’s design was chosen for the quarter. MacNeil was a well-known sculptor, particularly of Indian subjects, but he had also produced sketch models for the Word’s Columbian Exposition held at Chicago in 1893, work for the President William McKinley Memorial in Columbus, Ohio, and sculptures for other public projects.

MacNeil’s design for the quarter was representative of the artistic vigor of the early 20th century, and he joined a select group of artists who efforts were prominently displayed on coins of the period. The list of those designs includes the Lincoln cent; the Indian Head (buffalo) nickel; the previously mentioned Weinman Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) dime and Liberty Walking half dollar; the incuse Indian Head quarter eagle and half eagles; Saint-Gaudens’ Indian Head eagle and eponymous double eagle; and several commemorative issues such as the Panama-Pacific Exposition silver and gold pieces. The model for Liberty on the quarter was likely a composite of silent film actor Dora Doscher (also known as Doris Doree) and Broadway actor Irene MacDowell; the latter’s husband apparently disapproved of the pose. The reason for the disapproval was likely the same as that which has been the subject of debate ever since: the partial nudity of Liberty, specifically the undraped right breast.

The 1896 Silver Certificate had a similar display of partial nudity, reportedly causing consternation and disapproval from ladies of Boston society, which resulted in some bankers refusing to handle the notes. MacNeil’s Liberty was covered up in 1917, remaining so through the end of the series, producing two types of the same basic design. Standing Liberty quarters also include a popular sub-type, that of quarters bearing a “Full Head” classification, which refers to the presence of details in Liberty’s head. Those details include distinguishable leaves in Liberty’s hair, distinct hairline, and evident ear detail. Some authorities suggest that the complete presence of all the rivets in the shield held by Liberty is also indicative of a full strike. However, both head and rivet detail may not be present in the same coin, but only the presence of head detail defines the subtype.

The obverse displays Liberty standing in the opening of a wall or parapet, right leg resting on the base but left foot raised as if she is walking forward. Her long flowing gown drapes loosely and is wrapped around her right arm, but falls off the shoulders exposing the right breast. It is partly open at the front (the hem held up by a clasp), displaying the right leg to above the knee. On many coins Liberty’s navel is clearly visible through the thin material. Her left arm holds a circular shield as if in a defensive posture; the shield displays the Union shield and several concentric rings including a circle of raised dots or rivets near the edge. Liberty’s right arm is extended outward, resting on a portion of the wall, and her hand holds an olive branch. Another loose drapery covers the bottom part of the shield, extends across the front of Liberty, and ends beneath the arm on the top of the wall.

The word LIBERTY arcs across the top of the coin, the L partially covered by the olive branch, and B and E separated by Liberty’s head. Both wall sections display a rectangular panel of horizontal stripes, with IN GOD at the top of the left wall and WE TRUST (the U depicted as a V) similarly located on the right wall. Thirteen five-point stars form two columns along the wall edges next to the opening, seven to the left and six to the right (the top left star follows the D in GOD). The step upon which Liberty stands displays the date in raised numerals. The designer’s initial M is to the right of the bottom star in the right column, and for quarters minted in Denver or San Francisco, the D or S mintmark is located to the right of the bottom star in the left column. Inside the flat rim is a concentric ornamental ring consisting of two raised angular dots alternating with a short raised bar; the ring is broken by the step that displays the date.

The center obverse shows an eagle in flight, headed to the right, wings outstretched and raised. Inside the flat rim is a concentric ring of UNITED STATES at the top and QUARTER DOLLAR at the bottom, with seven five-point stars separating UNITED and QUARTER on the left and six five-point stars separating STATES and DOLLAR on the right. Centered dots separate the two words of both the legend and the denomination. OF AMERICA, in two lines and of smaller letters, lies below UNITED STATES; below that text is E PLURIBUS UNUM on two lines; E and PLURIBUS are also separated by a center dot.

Several thousand business strike Standing Liberty Type 1 quarters have been certified, more for 1917, particularly Philadelphia issues. Hundreds of Full Head examples are listed for each date and mintmark. Reflecting mintage totals, 1916 quarters are the most expensive Type 1 quarters, very expensive as XF40 and finer; Premium Gem and Superb Gem Full Head examples are extremely expensive. Type 1 1917 quarters are modestly priced to MS64, expensive finer. Full Head 1917-S Type 1 quarters are expensive finer than MS63. No Standing Liberty Type 1 proofs were officially issued; satin proofs (possibly Specimens) have been reported for 1917, though none are listed in census/ population reports.

Specifications:
Designer: Hermon A. MacNeil
Circulation Mintage: High 8,740,000 (1917), low 52,000 (1916)
Proof Mintage: None officially known, though satin proof or specimen 1917 examples are reported
Denomination: Twenty-five cents (25/100)
Diameter: 24.3 mm, reeded edge
Metal Content: 90% silver, 10% copper
Weight: 6.25 grams
Varieties: None identified.

Additional Resources:
CoinFacts: www.coinfacts.com
Coin Encyclopedia: www.ngccoin.com
Standing Liberty Quarters. J.H. Cline. Zyrus Press.
The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins. R.S. Yeoman (author), Kenneth Bressett (editor). Whitman Publishing.
A Guide Book of United States Type Coins. Q. David Bowers. Whitman Publishing.
United States Coinage: A Study by Type. Ron Guth and Jeff Garrett. Whitman Publishing.
The Experts Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins. Q. David Bowers. Whitman Publishing.
Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins. Walter Breen. Doubleday.

Last Updated : 05/10/2009