The U.S. 1986 Half Dollar, designed by Gilroy Roberts, features President John F. Kennedy, symbolizing leadership and national unity. Struck in a copper-nickel clad composition, it reflected the shift away from silver, as precious metal coinage had become impractical. In 1986, the Liberty Coin Act authorized the first American Silver Eagle, highlighting silver’s continued role in investment but not in circulating currency like the U.S. 1986 Half Dollar.
Politically, President Ronald Reagan led economic reforms focused on tax cuts and defense spending, shaping national confidence. The Challenger disaster (1986) deeply impacted the nation, reinforcing Kennedy’s vision for space exploration, which the U.S. 1986 Half Dollar commemorated. Roberts’ design remained a lasting tribute to Kennedy’s legacy, as the coin continued circulating despite declining public use of half dollars in daily transactions.