The 1988 US Half Dollar, part of the Kennedy Half Dollar series, features the iconic design by Gilroy Roberts (obverse) and Frank Gasparro (reverse). This coin, struck primarily in copper-nickel, reflects the continued use of base metals due to economic shifts from the 1970s, when rising silver prices led to silvers removal from circulation coins. The Reagan-era economy of 1988 saw growth, yet concerns about inflation and debt persisted, reinforcing the cost-saving decision to maintain the 1988 US Half Dollar in its copper-nickel composition.
Politically, 1988 marked the final year of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, transitioning to George H.W. Bush. The 1988 US Half Dollar remained a symbol of national pride, honoring John F. Kennedy amid a changing political landscape. While half dollars saw declining circulation, their design by Gilroy Roberts kept Kennedy’s legacy alive. The coin’s copper-nickel composition aligned with economic strategies limiting production costs. The continued minting of the 1988 US Half Dollar reflected not just Kennedy’s enduring impact but also the governments fiscal policies balancing tradition with modern economic realities.