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Numismatic Quick Hits: Brisk Sales for Kennedy Sets + New PCGS Kennedy Label + Upcoming First Reads

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek….

Sales Brisk for Two-Coin Kennedy Sets After One Day

accentedfeatureMichael White at the United States Mint’s Office of Corporate Communications forwarded me this number: 68,974.

That’s the total number of 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Uncirculated Coin Sets that have been ordered by collectors and dealers in the first 24 hours of its release.

The two-coin set features an uncirculated example of the Kennedy half-dollar, based on Gilroy Roberts’ original 1964 hubs. While there is no pre-set mintage limit for this two-coin set, the Mint is limiting the number of sets sold per household to five.

The 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Uncirculated coin set retails for $9.95.

 

Confusion in the Marketplace with New Kennedy Label

The Kennedy 50th Anniversary labels that will be offered by Professional Coin Grading Service (NASDAQ: CLCT) at the World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont next month will likely carry a premium for collectors looking to add “extra” value to their collections by acquiring coins in limited edition coin holders.

accenthairpcgsBut there’s one aspect of PCGS’s marketing for this new label that is inaccurate.

The label, as published at www.pcgs.com, asserts that the specially-made 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half Dollar coins feature “Accented Hair”.

While the Mint touts the coin’s higher relief and return to Gilroy Roberts’ original design, don’t confuse it with the poorly understood 1964 proof “Accented Hair” variety.

A relatively small number of 1964 proof Kennedy half dollars were struck with obverse and reverse dies different than those used for the bulk of the issue. These dies can be identified by a number of naked-eye-visible characteristics; the most commonly-cited difference has to do with a few subtle incuse hair details, which is how the “Accented Hair” Kennedy half dollar got its name.

So while the 50th Anniversary collector’s half dollar is based on the original 1964 design, neither the proof nor the business strike mimics the “Accented Hair” variety of 1964.

To label them so will add confusion to the marketplace.

Three Kennedy Gold coin images supplied by the U.S. Mint

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More “First Read” Essays on the Way

“First Read” is CoinWeek’s continuing essay series about classic and contemporary numismatic literature. So far, we’ve covered books on $20 Liberty Head double eagles, the 1804 dollar, 19th century numismatic auctions, the U.S. gold and platinum eagle programs, and contemporaneous colonial counterfeits.

We’re pleased to announce that two new “First Read” Essays are in the works.

Louis Golino is writing about Michael “Miles” Standish’s new book, Morgan Dollar: America’s Love Affair with a Legendary Coin (2014), while we’re currently working on an Italian import by author Attilio Armiento entitled, FAO Coins International Catalog (English Edition, 2013).

Morgan Dollar is published by Whitman. FAO Coins is available from the author.

Look for these essays in the coming weeks.

Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker
Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker
Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker have been contributing authors on CoinWeek since 2012. They also wrote the monthly "Market Whimsy" column and various feature articles for The Numismatist and the book 100 Greatest Modern World Coins (2020) for Whitman Publishing.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. The Two pic-Kennedy set P-D. I think are being over looked do to the gold Kennedy I have a set of 69 and still no 70 grade yet and look at the price of them? I got the set for $99.99 and the next day you could not find them any were.

  2. if you can find a 69 set from the two top grading companies that you can afford buy them if they are from the oldest service or another save your money or buy them and sell quickly for a profit

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