CoinWeek Giveaway # 666 Sponsored by…

Three Special Mint Set (SMS) Kennedy Half Dollars 1965–1967 Plus
Rick Tomaska’s Guide Book of Franklin & Kennedy Half Dollars

Three Kennedy Half Dollars From the Years Proof Sets Disappeared

A 1965 Kennedy half dollar, a 1966, and a 1967 may seem like a straightforward three-date run. But these are not ordinary circulation strikes. Each comes from the United States Mint’s short-lived Special Mint Set program, a stopgap that turned an extraordinary coin shortage into one of modern numismatics’ most distinctive collecting opportunities.

For CoinWeek Giveaway #666, one winner receives all three SMS Kennedy half dollars, each graded MS-67 Star, plus the fourth edition of Rick Tomaska’s A Guide Book of Franklin & Kennedy Half Dollars. Together, the four prizes tell a story that goes far beyond their 50-cent denominations.

When the Mint Stopped Making Proof Sets

President John F. Kennedy’s half dollar debuted in 1964, amid intense public demand for a tribute to the slain president. At the same time, rising silver prices and the hoarding of older silver coins strained the nation’s supply of circulating change.

The Coinage Act of 1965 removed silver from dimes and quarters and reduced the Kennedy half dollar’s silver content from 90% to 40%.

The Mint suspended annual Proof and Uncirculated sets and removed mintmarks from coins dated 1965 through 1967. Instead, collectors could buy five-coin Special Mint Sets for $4.

Alongside the Kennedy half dollar came a Lincoln cent, Jefferson nickel, Roosevelt dime, and Washington quarter. All were produced at the San Francisco Assay Office despite carrying no S mintmark.

Three Years, Three Personalities

The 1965 SMS Kennedy half dollar usually shows a soft satin finish. The following year’s coins often appear brighter, while 1967 examples can display strongly reflective fields and frosted portraits.

Specialists prize those particularly dramatic Cameo and Deep Cameo pieces. However, the three coins in this giveaway carry the MS-67 STAR grade. 

Each half dollar contains 40% silver. More importantly, the trio forms a complete date set of the SMS Kennedy half dollars, a brief chapter between the 1964 Proof coinage and the return of Proof sets in 1968.

Collectors can examine the coins side by side and follow how the Mint refined its experimental finish. The differences become more apparent under angled light, especially around Kennedy’s portrait.

The Fourth Prize: Knowledge for the Collector

The winner also receives Rick Tomaska’s fourth-edition reference, published by Whitman in 2023. Its treatment of Franklin and Kennedy half dollars covers designs, grading, die varieties, auction markets, and the critical differences between ordinary surfaces and striking Cameo contrast.

That makes this giveaway more than three certified coins and a book. It gives one collector the entire three-year SMS Kennedy half-dollar run and a serious reference for appreciating what makes those coins special.

Enter the CoinWeek Giveaway Here

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Entries into our Contest are accepted from Nov.7th until 8 AM on Saturday Nov.14th, 2026

Links to Entry Forms,  Extra Entry Options and Terms are Below

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The CoinWeek Giveaway is open to all US Citizens 18 yrs and older. Just submit your Email Address into the Entry Form – CLICK HERE, and you will recieve One entry into the Giveaway. Good luck and enjoy the contest! Get up to 6 Extra Entries into this week’s Giveaway……. Follow the Links below. NOTE: ALL Entry pages and Options links  OPEN in new windows, so once you have finished your entry, just close the tab and you will return to this Main Giveaway Page to continue selecting additional Entry opportunities !

Do you want to get additional enties to this weeks contest? Just go to our Facebook Page and find the CoinWeek Giveway announcement. Click on the “LIKE Button” and get 1 extra entry.  If you choose to Add A Comment, you will receive an additional extra entry into the Giveaway. That’s  all there is to it. More Chances to win !

Remember: Close the Entry Window Tab in your browser and you will return to the Giveaway Home page

We have another way to recieve additional entries to the CoinWeek Giveaway.  Just go to the CoinWeek website and browse ANY of the articles we have on the Home page. Open and read the any article then place a comment at the bottom of the page. You will recieve an additional 4 entries into the CoinWeek Giveaway for the current giveaway. Note:  You need to stay on the CoinWeek site for at least a minute. In order for us to record your entry and comment, we need enough time to verify the additional entries. Thanks!

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For each Newsletter you select, CoinWeek will give to an Additional Giveaway Entry automatically, EVERY WEEK you remain a subscriber. No need to re-subscribe unless you wish to change or add new newsletters

Note:  Newsletters are sent every two weeks unless there is a special reason to send a special announcement or breaking news event specific to the newsletter topic.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW……
Read ALL the Rules, Terms and Conditions of the Giveaway Here.

If you have signup for extra enties, made comments, read articles and joined Newsletters, Why does the main entry form just show One Entry?    Here is the answer !….. Extra Entries – How are they recorded ?

To see a list of the Names and states of most of the Past Winners of the CoinWeek Givaway , along with the coins and paper money that has have given away. For over 11 years CoinWeek has held the free coin giveaway weekly, bring new classic and interesting Ancient, World and US Coins and currency to our readers. Click Here to view the list

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