Beginning in 1965 and lasting through 1967, the United States was experiencing a coin shortage. This was due to the rising price of silver that made coins more valuable for their silver content than for their face value. This led to people removing the silver coins from circulation and saving or melting them for their silver value. Unfortunately, the Treasury Department blamed coin collectors for the coin shortage. In an effort to try to curb people from removing the coins from circulation, the United States Mint removed all mint marks from coins made between 1965 and 1967. Additionally, Proof sets were not made during these three years. However, they did make Special Mint Sets for coin collectors, but they were not the same quality as Proof coins. To mark the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Congress authorized the production of a circulating commemorative coin that included the Kennedy half-dollar. In anticipation of extreme demand by the public, the mint did not strike any quarters, half-dollars or dollar coins dated 1975. Kennedy half-dollars minted in 1975 bear the dual date 1776–1976. Special collector edition coins were struck on 40 percent silver-clad planchets in both business strike and proof finishes.
Kennedy Half-Dollar Mintages
The following table lists mint production numbers for the number of Kennedy Half-Dollar produced at each mint facility. Where possible, production numbers by strike type are noted.
