(1965) Half Dollar Pattern - RB-4500, INCO

Coin Details

Description

The first entry in the 1965 INCO experimental clad half dollar series, RB-4500 opens a testing sequence that explored copper-nickel clad compositions for the Kennedy half dollar denomination. The half dollar occupied a unique position in the 1965 coinage transition: unlike dimes and quarters, which moved directly from 90% silver to copper-nickel clad, the half dollar was initially reduced to 40% silver content under the Coinage Act of 1965, with the full transition to copper-nickel clad delayed until 1971. This intermediate step reflected both the Kennedy half dollar's symbolic significance — Congress was reluctant to completely remove silver from the coin honoring the recently assassinated president — and the practical concern that the half dollar's large diameter would make compositional differences more obvious to users. Despite the decision to retain reduced silver for the denomination, INCO proceeded with experimental clad testing on half dollar dies, generating data that would prove valuable when the denomination eventually completed its transition to clad composition six years later. RB-4500 was struck at the Medallic Art Company on Kennedy half dollar dies bearing Gilroy Roberts' portrait obverse and Frank Gasparro's heraldic eagle reverse.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8. Extremely rare. The 1965 INCO half dollar experiments are among the scarcest entries in the entire experimental clad program, as fewer half dollar compositions were tested compared to quarters.

Cross References

Research Blank RB-4500 (Gould/INCO experimental series)