The Kennedy half dollar has been minted continuously since 1964. The Kennedy half dollar has never gained much circulation, and was originally prized primarily as a memorial to the man himself. Today, few Americans use Kennedy half dollars in everyday transactions, although numismatists continue to have strong interest in this coin.

The basic design of the Kennedy half dollar shows a profile portrait of President Kennedy on the obverse (front) of the coin, and the presidential seal on the reverse. Gilroy Robert was responsible for quickly sculpting the portrait in the wake of Kennedy's assassination, while Frank Gasparro was given the task of preparing the seal. Within months, the two men had produced a design that met with the approval of Kennedy's widow.

This design has endured until today, with the exception of a special bicentennial commemorative coin dated 1776-1976 that featured Philadelphia's Independence Hall on the reverse. The composition of the coin has not fared as well, with the coin's original 90 percent silver composition gradually giving way to the copper and nickel composition of today. Silver clad Kennedy half dollars were minted between 1965 and 1970 that were made of copper with a silver surface.

For collectors, the US Mint has released a number of different items. Uncirculated and proof editions of special silver clad bicentennial Kennedy half dollars were sold to collectors. The San Francisco Mint has coined proof sets for collectors since 1968. Although circulated coins exist, proof and mint sets remain a significant part of the market for Kennedy half dollars.