Week Eleven

Coin News: Kennedy Comes Back
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was driving through Dallas, Texas, when a shot rang out. A pro-communist sniper was waiting for Kennedy (who was strongly opposed to communism), and killed the President with two bullets. The youngest elected President of the United States, Kennedy’s death was a huge blow to the United States. Almost immediately, plans were made to celebrate the slain President on the Half Dollar. Kennedy Half Dollar production began in 1964. This year is the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy Half Dollar. So to celebrate, the U.S. Mint is producing limited edition sets of specially made coins to sell to collectors. The first is a set of 4 coins, one from each Mint (Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point), all 90% silver. The second includes 2 clad uncirculated coins with the 1964 design (already selling as of this writing). Another specially made coin is the 3/4 oz. 24 karat gold commemorative.
                        
For more information about these coins, visit the U.S. Mint website’s page on these coins at:
www.usmint.gov/pressroom/kennedyhalf

Coin of the Week: Arches National Park Quarter
The 23rd coin in the National Park Quarter series, Arches is a classic natural wonder, and one of the most well-known National Parks in America. Located in Moab, Utah, it consists of several hundred landmarks, the most famous of which are it’s monumental arches. The arch on the coin is the most famous, Delicate Arch, a 65-foot tall freestanding arch that can also be found on most Utah license plates. I found an example in a roll of quarters from the bank, even though it is only a few weeks out there. Never underestimate the power of quarter rolls!


Wonderful World: Chinese Pandas
The Chinese Panda Series is yet another example of bullion coinage that was made to compete with the Krugerrand (even though private gold ownership was illegal in China until 2004). It did introduce a new idea, a design change every year. They also have one up on the U.S.A., a palladium coin. The design always features a panda, sometimes multiple, and is one of the better selling coins in the world.
 

Gold Panda

Silver Panda

Platinum Panda

Palladium Panda