
The Kennedy Penny
After the assassination of president John F. Kennedy, the numismatic world lit up. A great president must be remembered on some kind of coin, like the Lincoln cent. That's exactly what they proposed, a cent coin with Kennedy on the obverse, and a tree design adapted from a 1915 commemorative quarter for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Production was underway, galvanic were made, and models were prepared, until an interesting article from Coinworld showed up from Q.David Bowers. He found that, although the most circulated denomination, the penny could not buy anything itself except a Disney peep-show, a stamp, and a gumball. He though that people wouldn't appreciate that coin as much for Kennedy as it should, so instead they made the altered design on the largest circulating denomination, the half-dollar. I personally like the design for the reverse of the kenned-penny better than the half-dollar, but it still show the likeness of one of our most beloved presidents.
Comments
Mike
Level 7
I investigated this and spoke to Rick Tomaska a while ago. When the four coin Kennedy set came out. Inside was a booklet they described how in 1963 they were doing all the presidents. President Kennedy was sitting at his desk while this went on. Upon the finishing the designer we all know asked the President what he thought of it be liked it. Shortly after he passed away. They needed a coin immediately they took one one just fisished. So you can say he picked his own coin. I know about what you wrote but it has nothing to do with Kennedy's coin. It was the most recent one about a year before. That's were the obverse came from..
The Silver Half Dollar
Level 4
Very interesting article. Thanks for the article!
Big Nub Numismatics
Level 5
Mega Red Book 2017 pages 459-461.
Kepi
Level 6
Thanks for the information.
Longstrider
Level 6
Thanks.. I'll check it out...
Kepi
Level 6
Interesting blog. I never heard of the Kennedy Cent? How about a reference book so we all can check this out. Thanks!
Mike
Level 7
Bibliography. What issue what book author who wrote it. It's all needed with history. Mike
CoinLady
Level 6
Sources? I researched the Kennedy half dollar a few years back and found no mention of a Kennedy cent.
Longstrider
Level 6
Great blog.. I have one question for you. Would you please list your sources for this blog? I would like to read the story myself.. You can't always but the entire story in our blog format. Thanks!!
Mike
Level 7
Nice blog I bought the anniversary set with the four coins in it beautiful. The designer was doing painting and sculpture of the presidents. He used to watch our beloved President work at his desk. This was in the booklet it came with. When he passed they took the now famous design and put it in production. They did this without telling his beautiful wife who hated it thus we have the accented hair. A famous coin they stopped production fixed it showed it to his wife nd started production again. I bought the incorrect coin immediately got lucky. Like this hobby. I learned from your blog today see we always learn. Mike.