The US 1997 Half Dollar coin, designed by John Flanagan, features the portrait of John F. Kennedy. Struck in a copper-nickel clad composition, the US 1997 Half Dollar continued to honor Kennedy’s legacy during a period of economic prosperity in the late 1990s, reflecting a strong and stable U.S. economy.
In 1997, the U.S. enjoyed economic growth under President Bill Clinton’s administration, marked by a budget surplus. The US 1997 Half Dollar, though not widely circulated, symbolized national pride and remembrance. Flanagan’s design continued to reflect the nation’s appreciation of Kennedy’s ideals while using cost-efficient materials amid modern economic needs.