By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
Earlier than issuing its 1964 Proof Units, the United States Mint had produced Proof cash for collector buy from 1950 onward. In 1965, the Mint suspended Proof manufacturing for 3 years whereas the nation transitioned from silver to copper-nickel-clad coinage. When Proof coinage resumed in 1968, the Mint shifted Proof manufacturing from Philadelphia to the San Francisco Assay Workplace (previously the San Francisco Mint). From this level ahead, annual Proof points usually carry the “S” mintmark.
With the 1964 Proof coinage being the final of the Philadelphia Proof Set points, it’s primarily thought-about the ultimate set within the run of 1950-64 units. For the 1964 set, the Mint supplied one Proof coin of every denomination (from one cent to 50 cents) and packaged them in mushy plastic with a pouch to deal with every coin and an additional pocket that housed a paper seal of the US Mint.
The Mint supplied 1964 Proof Units at an preliminary retail value of $2.10 every. In complete, the Mint reported gross sales of three,950,762 units. As we speak, these units promote for a median value of about $30.
As a standalone coin, the 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proof trades as a single or licensed coin, graded by CAC, NGC, or PCGS. Most of those cash ought to grade Proof 65 or above, with a small proportion of the problem incomes the Cameo or Deep/Extremely Cameo designations, relying on the diploma of frost on the coin’s gadgets.
By CoinWeek’s estimate, fewer than one in 20 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proofs are struck with sufficient frost to earn the Deep Cameo attribution. These cash carry the very best premiums for the problem, with PR68DCAMs buying and selling for a number of hundred {dollars} apiece on common and PR69DCAMs promoting for $2,000 or extra at public sale.
A well-liked 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proof selection displays stronger hair element above President Kennedy’s ear. In high situation, examples of this selection can promote for at the very least 5 occasions greater than what the extra frequent coin in the identical grade would.
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Common Proof Market Knowledge and Noteworthy Specimens
Prime Inhabitants: PCGS PR70/PR69DCAM (31/137, 11/2024). NGC PF69UC (170, 11/2024). CACG PR69/PR67DCAM (12/1, 11/2024).
The PCGS PR70 inhabitants for the 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proof has been steady for over 20 years. Solely 29 have been graded 70 as of October 2013. On the time of this writing (November 2024), that inhabitants has risen to simply 31 cash. Curiously, 19 of the 29 pre-October 2013 cash have been graded earlier than 2003 as a part of one 77-coin 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proof coin submission. The opposite 58 cash have been licensed as PR69. It seems that these 70s have been trickled out into the market at a sluggish fee over a decade.
- PCGS PR70 #7722380: Heritage Auctions, August 14, 2015, Lot 5285 – $4,700.
- PCGS PR70 #7722384: Heritage Auctions, December 5, 2013, Lot 3496 – $9,400.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #7738441: Stack’s Bowers, June 14, 2023, Lot 3161 – $1,680; Stack’s Bowers, March 28, 2024, Lot 7202 – $1,740. Spot to the left of 9.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #45492637: Heritage Auctions, August 26, 2022, Lot 4607 – $5,520.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #4343197: Heritage Auctions, April 23, 2020, Lot 3622 – $4,200.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #85183586: GreatCollections, September 17, 2017, Lot 492276 – View; Stack’s Bowers, Could 23, 2019, Lot 324 – $2,400.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #82609086: “The Rosie Assortment,” Stack’s Bowers, August 17, 2018, Lot 3394 – $1,560.
- NGC PF69UCAM #1954470-004: Stack’s Bowers, August 3, 2017, Lot 1105 – $940.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #70032961: Heritage Auctions, August 14, 2015, Lot 5286 – $4,230.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #21686090: Heritage Auctions, June 2, 2006, Lot 2009 – $3,622.50.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #21436308: Heritage Auctions, April 28, 2006, Lot 3170 – $3,737.50.
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1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proof – Accented Hair
The 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proof with Accented Hair, sometimes called the Sort I Proof as a result of its emission sequence, was struck utilizing an obverse die that featured extra element in Kennedy’s hair.
As you possibly can see within the picture above, the 2 hairstyles are related for essentially the most half. The principle distinction is the completeness of three strands of hair to the left of a big curled hairline that’s seen on each cash roughly midway from the underside of the Left leg of R to the highest of the ear. On the “regular” hair die, solely the underside of those strands are seen. Maybe as many as 3% of the three,950,762 cash struck for the 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proof characteristic Accented Hair. This in style selection is the important thing to the Kennedy Half Greenback Proof sequence.
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Market Knowledge and Noteworthy Specimens
The PCGS PR69DCAM inhabitants for the 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proof with Accented Hair elevated by one since Could 2024.
Prime Inhabitants: PCGS PR69DCAM (6, 11/2024). NGC PF69UCAM (4, 11/2024). CACG PR69 (1, 11/2024).
The PCGS inhabitants of 1964 Kennedy Half Greenback Proofs with Accented Hair in PR68DCAM was eight cash none finer from April 2003 via April 2013. As of Could 2024, that inhabitants sits at 32 cash, with 5 finer. The primary PCGS PR69DCAM cash have been made in 2018.
- PCGS PR69DCAM #46367613: Heritage Auctions, July 20, 2023, Lot 3090 – $30,001.20; Heritage Auctions, January 11, 2024, Lot 4080 – $46,800.
- NGC PF69UCAM #6486001-005: Heritage Auctions, December 15, 2022, Lot 3494 – $45,600.
- NGC PF68+UCAM #4673558-005: Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2019, Lot 4511 – $13,200.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #45549797: Heritage Auctions, August 12, 2024, Lot 3567 – $6,600.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #1608069: Stack’s Bowers, June 13, 2023, Lot 2025 – $6,000.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #45701852: Heritage Auctions, Could 4, 2023, Lot 4024 – $7,200.
- NGC PF68UCAM #5748589-001: Heritage Auctions, June 2, 2020, Lot 21312 – $14,400.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #35356018: “The Rosie Assortment,” Stack’s Bowers, August 15, 2018, Lot 1173 – $12,000; Heritage Auctions, January 11, 2019, Lot 5083 – $10,800; Heritage Auctions, August 14, 2019, Lot 3602 – $9,600; Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2020, Lot 3949 – $9,300.
- NGC PF68UCAM #164798-045: “The V.A. Everest Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, July 2003, Lot 8113; Stack’s Bowers, August 15, 2019, Lot 5232 – $8,400.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #84644123: Heritage Auctions, April 26, 2018, Lot 4265 – $16,800.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #84277464: Heritage Auctions, September 7, 2017, Lot 3874 – $17,400.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #84375973: Heritage Auctions, August 2, 2017, Lot 4009 – $17,625.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #83156730: Heritage Auctions, April 4, 2017, Lot 15789 – $19,975; Heritage Auctions, November 8, 2018, Lot 3135 – $10,800.
- NGC PF68UCAM #3101801-002: Heritage Auctions, January 2013, lot 5052 – $9,987.50; “The Mile Excessive Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, January 5, 2017, Lot 4945 – $19,975; Heritage Auctions, November 2, 2017, Lot 16789 – $12,600.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #04775073: Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2008, Lot 2239 – $12,650; Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2009, Lot 3919 – $11,500; “The MKJ Assortment, Half II,” Heritage Auctions, June 6, 2013, Lot 4594 – $15,128.13.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #27359176: “The Elite Cameo Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, April 25, 2013, Lot 4310 – $13,042.50.
- PCGS PR68DCAM #5425910: Heritage Auctions, September 19, 2003, Lot 7411 – $6,325.
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Design
Obverse:
Mint Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts tailored the Kennedy Half Greenback obverse from his work on Kennedy’s Inaugural medal. Kennedy’s left-facing portrait is the design’s central motif. Wrapping across the higher portion of the rim is the inscription LIBERTY. The nationwide motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, is inscribed in a straight line that extends from the left edge to the appropriate fringe of the coin, with GOD and WE separated by the truncation of Kennedy’s neck. The date 1964 wraps across the backside of the design. Gilroy Roberts’ designer’s initials seem on the truncation of Kennedy’s neck above the phrase WE.
Reverse:
Assistant Engraver Frank Gasparro tailored the Kennedy Half Greenback reverse design from the Seal of the President of the United States. A heraldic eagle is splayed, its chest protected by the Union defend. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon emblazoned with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. A glory of rays, clouds, and stars followers out from behind the eagle. The 13 stars characterize the unique British American colonies, whereas the rays and clouds signify heaven and the divine windfall the founders believed impressed the formation of the United States. The eagle’s talons grip an olive department in its dexter and a sprig of arrows in its sinister. Fifty stars encompass this central motif.
The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wraps across the high of the design. The denomination, HALF DOLLAR, wraps across the backside. Frank Gasparro’s initials “FG” seem between the eagle’s left leg and tail feathers.
Edge:
The sting of the 1964 Kennedy half greenback is reeded.
Coin Specs
| Kennedy Half Greenback | |
| Yr Of Concern: | 1964 |
| Denomination: | Half Greenback (50 Cents USD) |
| Mintmark: | None (Philadelphia) |
| Mintage: | 3,950,762 (as much as 3% with Accented Hair) |
| Alloy: | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Weight: | 12.5 g |
| Diameter: | 30.6 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | Gilroy Roberts |
| REV Designer: | Frank Gasparro |
| High quality: | Proof |
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