It’s so often the case that many think of green-colored drinks and the legend of the leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day. And this is understandable, especially as the magic of the Emerald Isle, or Ireland, is the setting where history and lore say Saint Patrick drove away snakes. The fifth-century Christian missionary serves as the patron saint of Ireland, and he inspired St. Patrick’s Day, which is not only a religious holiday for the Catholic Church of Ireland but also a cultural holiday celebrated abroad – including in the United States. It’s also a time to shine the light on the contributions of the nation’s many Irish Americans, including one of the most historically significant: John F. Kennedy.
Born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kennedy graduated from Harvard University in 1940 and served in World War II. He became a war hero when he saved his comrades on a patrol torpedo boat, a vessel known as PT-109, that Kennedy was commanding when it was struck by a destroyer in the Pacific Ocean. After his return home, Kennedy served as a congressman in the United States House of Representatives before rising to the Senate. He published the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage and launched his campaign for president in 1960, defeating incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon in the general election.
President Kennedy’s time in office saw myriad Cold War challenges, the struggle to broaden civil rights protections, and the exciting Space Race. Sadly, many of the goals Kennedy established for social equality, international peace, and landing people on the Moon the young president never got to see. He was assassinated at the age of 46 during a motorcade procession in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. He served barely more than 1,000 days of his only term in the White House. The nation mourned Kennedy’s death for many days. Bipartisan efforts to honor the fallen president on a large silver coin led to the creation of the Kennedy Half Dollar, which debuted in 1964.
Kennedy Half Dollars have remained one of the most popular numismatic collectibles for generations. It’s a terrific series for both novice and avid collectors given the coin’s relative affordability yet incredible complexity – especially for those who wish to collect varieties and high-end examples. The PCGS Set Registry offers a multitude of categories that cater to the Kennedy Half Dollar. It’s a coin that is perfect for those who want to pay a numismatic homage to one of the nation’s most illustrious presidents and internationally famous Irish Americans.