The US 1968 Half Dollar, designed by Gilroy Roberts, featured President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1963. Initially struck in 40% silver, it symbolized national mourning and was minted during a period of significant political upheaval in the U.S. The coin’s design, reflecting Kennedys legacy, also marked the transition to a coin with reduced silver content due to rising metal prices.
In 1968, the U.S. was deeply involved in the Vietnam War and facing significant social unrest. The US 1968 Half Dollar, with its powerful imagery of Kennedy, provided a symbol of unity and remembrance amidst the economic and political turbulence of the era.