Kennedy Half Dollar 1998-S Matte Proof

In 1998, the US Mint decided to issue a special commemorative set, honoring Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy. In this set, there was a commemorative medal for Robert and a 90% "special finish" Kennedy Half Dollar. This set was the only means for collectors to obtain this special finish half dollar. It is estimated that around 62,350 1998-S Matte Proof coins were minted in 1998 and are deemed extremely rare. The special finish consisted of two extra steps in the minting process. The first step included the die's face being sandblasted with a combination of glass beads and aluminum oxide. The second step was adding a hard chrome plate to protect the matte finish. These two extra steps resulted in a frosted texture, although the coin is still considered proof by the San Francisco Mint.

For awhile, the US Mint desired to have President Kennedy on either the dollar, half dollar, or quarter. Once the president passed, his widow Jacqueline Kennedy desired to have his portrait on the half dollar. Sculptors, Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro, had already designed a special presidential medal that wasn't released yet when they were notified of the new half dollar. Using Robert's obverse design and Gasparro's reverse design of the medal, the new Kennedy Half was born in under one month. President Kennedy was extremely influential in just his 2 short years in office. Being the only president to be Roman-Catholic and to receive a Pulitzer Prize for his biography, President Kennedy won the hearts of millions. During his time in office, the Civil Right Movement was alive and well, the Berlin Wall was built, the Space Race was as tense as ever, and the Peace Corps was established. Many alive at the time of his death have enjoyed the Kennedy Half Dollar series as a means to remember the late president and to only imagine what could have been if he had lived to see a full presidential term.

• Denomination: N/A
• Year: 1998
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