The US 1965 Half Dollar, featuring John F. Kennedy, was designed by Gilroy Roberts (obverse) and Frank Gasparro (reverse). Introduced after Kennedys 1963 assassination, it became a symbol of national mourning and unity. The US 1965 Half Dollar marked a shift from 90% silver to a 40% silver clad composition, driven by rising silver prices and economic pressures.
Economically, the Coinage Act of 1965 eliminated silver from dimes and quarters and reduced it in the US 1965 Half Dollar, reflecting inflation and metal scarcity. Politically, it preserved Kennedy’s legacy during Vietnam-era tensions. The US 1965 Half Dollars design reinforced patriotic sentiment in uncertain times.