The more I think about the dual date gold Kennedy

Weiss · July 18, 2014 12:17AM

The more I think it's in poor taste.

It's commemorating a commemorative? Really?

Dual dates like that usually commemorative the history of a nation, like our bicentennial coinage or Canada's 125th year coinage. Or the reign of a ruler. Or the birth and death dates of a dignitary. And given the commemorative nature of the Kennedy half, I find the mint's decision to commemorate itself on a solid gold version of a coin dedicated to Kennedy's life to be pretty tacky. The dual dates mean nothing in JFK's life.

I think the mint should have only minted a gold 2014 version of the Kennedy half, in limited quantities, and then should have ended the series. No need for a dual date. The end of the series in gold would commemorate the coin and its 50 year run while still being true to its purpose: memorializing Kennedy.

ModCrewman · July 18, 2014 12:23AM

Excellent point.

Coin Finder · July 18, 2014 12:39AM

The U.S. Mint is a business, it does not think very deeply beyond profit. Your post is well thought out. I put the U.S. Mint in the category of entertainment before anything else....However, the U.S. Mint is a part of our collections unless world coinage is the focus. So, I just let go...

WingedLiberty1957 · July 18, 2014 12:41AM

I really dislike coins with 2 dates

Give me just one date please!

TwoSides2aCoin · July 18, 2014 12:43AM

When I think too much, I come here to relax, & read what y'all are thinking. It's no wonder I think too much.

Greetings fellow citizens of the world.

MsMorrisine · July 18, 2014 12:59AM

Congress creates the commemoratives and has them limited to 2 per year. this year has had its two.

Ajjohnson77 · July 18, 2014 1:53AM

Good point, but the Mint scrambled to get this design after his murder in 1963. Its been a iconic coin even up to today. I kinda like it.

bg35765 · July 18, 2014 2:05AM

I am in favor of the dual date, because it will help people from being duped by gold-plated imitations.

PerryHall · July 18, 2014 2:21AM

<< I am in favor of the dual date, because it will help people from being duped by gold-plated imitations. >>

The reverse design shows that it is made of 3/4 oz of 999.9 fine Gold.

BigA · July 18, 2014 2:23AM

<< Congress creates the commemoratives and has them limited to 2 per year. this year has had its two. >>

The Mint is calling them commemoratives.....but they are not????

<< 

<< United States Mint Announces Release of Kennedy Half-Dollar Coin 50th Anniversary Products

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint will produce three products commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy half-dollar coin in 2014. >>

>>

MsMorrisine · July 18, 2014 2:35AM

poor wording on their part

the point is they are honoring the coin, not the person.

similar to the 100th of the buff.

19Lyds · July 18, 2014 10:45AM

All good points.

In fact, since the half itself was a commemorative, a 50th perhaps a 2013 50th Anniversary dual date of 1917 - 1963 would have been more appropriate.

As for the content? I'd have preferred it NOT be gold but .999 fine silver instead. However, as pointed out, the US Mint did a very slipshod, piss poor job of doing anything at all.
I'm of the opinion that they only cared about "selling something" so they took the quickest, shorted route to attain that goal.

BTW, where in the hell are the fingerprint lines on JFK's Neck??

MilesWaits · July 18, 2014 11:15AM

I was trying my best to read your text but I was TOTALLY distracted by the beauty of this beast!

I might contact my travel agent so I can be in line (at a cost of airline, hotel, transportation, meals) oh, never mind...

thecointrader · July 19, 2014 2:41AM

Is anyone surprised that the mint is issuing a commemorative of something of 'questionable' importance (commemorative of it's own coin)?

It follows in the tradition of our Early and Modern Commemorative Half Dollars: Cincinnati/Music... 38th Anniv. of Korean War, etc. (why the 38th?)

My favorite is the Bridgeport issue, featuring PT Barnham on the obverse and a 'stylized eagle" (resembling IMHO, a two-legged flying salmon) on the reverse.

There's a sucker born every minute, right?

(edited for spelling)

CaptHenway · July 19, 2014 3:48AM

Who has a good idea for a commemorative MEDAL of the U.S. Mint jumping the shark?

Perhaps Dan Carr can do something on that theme.

giorgio11 · July 19, 2014 6:30AM

I think you are absolutely right. There is nothing to justify this coin. I think the Mint should strike only 23 of them and sell them all to me. Everybody else, move along, nothing to see here.

Best Regards,

George

halfhunter · July 19, 2014 6:46AM

<< I think you are absolutely right. There is nothing to justify this coin. I think the Mint should strike only 23 of them and sell them all to me. Everybody else, move along, nothing to see here.

Best Regards,

George >>

OR . . . They could have just slipped a Kennedy half with a "W" mint mark into the mint sets . . .

HH

cladking · July 19, 2014 7:44AM

I don't think of it so much as "tacky" as unprecedented and inappropriate.

I tend to think of it as simply commemorating the design itself rather than having anything to do with Kennedy.

goose3 · July 19, 2014 10:23AM

Isnt that 51 years?

MsMorrisine · July 19, 2014 10:28AM

<< I don't think of it so much as "tacky" as unprecedented and inappropriate.

I tend to think of it as simply commemorating the design itself rather than having anything to do with Kennedy. >>

unprecedented?

the reverse proof buff in 2013 was to honor the 100th of the buffalo nickel

that's what this is - 50th of the kennedy half

SLQ · July 19, 2014 10:39AM

<< ...
It follows in the tradition of our Early and Modern Commemorative Half Dollars: Cincinnati/Music... 38th Anniv. of Korean War, etc. (why the 38th?)

... >>

38th parallel became the boundary between North and South Korea.

cladking · July 19, 2014 12:27PM

<< 

<< I don't think of it so much as "tacky" as unprecedented and inappropriate.

I tend to think of it as simply commemorating the design itself rather than having anything to do with Kennedy. >>

unprecedented?

the reverse proof buff in 2013 was to honor the 100th of the buffalo nickel

that's what this is - 50th of the kennedy half >>

I meant unprecedented in the sense we've never honored a design anniversary in this way before.

There was a W-mint dime made in '96 for its 50th but no dual date either.

ms70 · July 19, 2014 1:46PM

Weiss, I never thought of it that way. I think I agree.

Zoins · July 19, 2014 9:01PM

<< 

<< I am in favor of the dual date, because it will help people from being duped by gold-plated imitations. >>

The reverse design shows that it is made of 3/4 oz of 999.9 fine Gold. >>

I like the dual date because it indicates why it is being minted and what is being commemorated.

I think a higher denomination would make it even better

Having this be worth 50 cents reminds me of the pucks which I also wish had a different, higher, denomination.

keets · July 19, 2014 11:49PM

while the OP makes some good points one thing remains --- the idea and the coins struck as a result are overwhelmingly popular.

Weiss · July 20, 2014 12:58AM

<< Is anyone surprised that the mint is issuing a commemorative of something of 'questionable' importance (commemorative of it's own coin)?

It follows in the tradition of our Early and Modern Commemorative Half Dollars: Cincinnati/Music... 38th Anniv. of Korean War, etc. (why the 38th?)

My favorite is the Bridgeport issue, featuring PT Barnham on the obverse and a 'stylized eagle" (resembling IMHO, a two-legged flying salmon) on the reverse.

There's a sucker born every minute, right?

(edited for spelling) >>

There's a distinct difference here, and it's really at the heart of my original rant: The Kennedy half dollar wasn't a trinket to be sold at an exhibition. And it's not, like the buffalo nickel, a symbol or allegory.

It was and still is a commemorative piece for a slain president. JFK was shot and killed in broad daylight. And regardless of politics, the world mourned. We all know that. But it's easy for us as numismatists to sequester that fact as we discuss 90% vs 40%, matte finish, accented hair, etc.

If the mint wants to pat itself on the back for 50 years of a design, then do what they are supposed to do and what they are eminently qualified to do: Make a medal. Make it with a Roberts/Gasparro reverse homage. Add whatever dates you want.

The Kennedy half dollar is a memorial to a slain president. Any dual date on the coin should 1917-1963. Those are the dates that JFK lived and died.

Releasing a monetized Kennedy half dollar in solid gold no less...with the dates that the design was used? That's disrespectful, gauche, tacky. Take your pick.

Baley · July 20, 2014 1:41AM

<< Isn't that 51 years? >>

Yes, the coin commemorates the 51st year of minting the Kennedy half, because it's inclusive.

In the same way that a couple celebrates their 50th wedding anniversary during their 51st year of their marriage.

I do not collect moderns myself, but can understand the appeal of this issue and think it will do pretty well.

19Lyds · July 20, 2014 1:47AM

<< I don't think of it so much as "tacky" as unprecedented and inappropriate.

I tend to think of it as simply commemorating the design itself rather than having anything to do with Kennedy. >>

Kind of along the lines of responding to public inquiries such as: "It's been 50 years since the Kennedy Half was introduced, are they going to have a "special" coin commemorating that milestone like they did with the ASE/GSE coins?"

In short, the collecting community was asking and the Mint is responding.

(Ref)

BillJones · July 20, 2014 2:18AM

I still remember the day when I saw my first Kennedy half dollar. It is a day in May of 1964. I grew up just outside of small town in a rural area, and the new coins were late comers to our area. The bank teller pulled the coin out and dropped it on the hard, black counter. It was not a great piece with too many marks, but at that moment it was treasure! I had been waiting so long for one.

This coin will be a bit special for me. I just hope that we don't have another repeat of the long delays that plagued the HOF coins. It took to fun out of it.

MsMorrisine · July 20, 2014 5:52AM

<< 

<< Isn't that 51 years? >>

Yes, the coin commemorates the 51st year of minting the Kennedy half, because it's inclusive.

In the same way that a couple celebrates their 50th wedding anniversary during their 51st year of their marriage.

I do not collect moderns myself, but can understand the appeal of this issue and think it will do pretty well. >>

there is no 0th anniversary, so the 50th anniversary happens in the 51st year.

19Lyds · July 20, 2014 8:03AM

<< 

<< 

<< Isn't that 51 years? >>

Yes, the coin commemorates the 51st year of minting the Kennedy half, because it's inclusive.

In the same way that a couple celebrates their 50th wedding anniversary during their 51st year of their marriage.

I do not collect moderns myself, but can understand the appeal of this issue and think it will do pretty well. >>

there is no 0th anniversary, so the 50th anniversary happens in the 51st year. >>

Exactly right!

Anniversaries are celebrated and commemorated "after" they have been completed! Always have been and always will be.

Kind of like computers where an 8 count will only get you to 7.

The more I think about the dual date gold Kennedy

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