NGC coin of the month...Accented Hair Kennedy...

Newcomp103

For all of you that post questions on this topic, Jay Turner has written an article, thought this might be of some help.

Link

DHeath

In 1963, the first trial impressions of Gilroy Roberts new Kennedy half design were flown to Washington and shown to Mrs.Kennedy. She accepted the design, but ask Secretary Dillon to de-emphasize the hair. The early strikes of the half (prior to modification) became known as at Accented Hair variety, and are only the product of the first working obverse die design.

I always thought it odd that Mrs.Kennedy would have a strong opinion regarding such a tiny design change, and would make that request as the coin was going to press. Then I read the article in this month's Numismatist about Paul Manship, the American sculptor. I had remembered him vaguely as the designer of the Kennedy Inaugural medal on which the half was modeled, but there was an interesting blurb in the article that tied it all together nicely for me.

Quoting Douglas Manship from the piece, "His final medal was Kennedy's Inaugural piece. The president-elect's wife, Jacqueline, had written a college term paper on Paul Manship's sculpture, and SHE had suggested Manship to the inaugural committee."

A look at the hair detail in the medal will make it immediately obvious why Mrs.Kennedy asked for the change. I was surprised and impressed to learn of her involvement in both projects, and her knowledge of the artist and his work.

Asylum Kennedy Medal process page with Pics

penny2many

That was very interesting. We are collecting a set of Kennedy halves right now.

PhillyJoe

A nice summary of the events which all took place at lightning speed compared to what the Mint was used to. The part about a PR68 u/c selling for around $5,000 appears reasonable; but I need to know who is spending up to $3,600 for a regular PR69 u/c.

Joe