Half-Dollars

[Pub-911]

What are "business strike" coins?

Such as the Kennedy halves minted at Denver and Philadelphia each year?

[freemkt]

Originally Posted by Pub-911

What are "business strike" coins?

Such as the Kennedy halves minted at Denver and Philadelphia each year?

Business strike coins are the "ordinary" coins mass produced to normal standards. Almost all of these are distributed to banks for general circulation. A small number are sold to collectors at a modest premium in annual "Mint Sets".

On the other hand, "proof" coins are specially made, to higher quality standards - usually highly polished and very shiny - specifically for collectors, and also are sold at a premium above face value. With the new Lincoln cent introduced in 1909, came a new type of proof coin, the so-called "matte" proof (popular in Europe at the time and also used in Canada) which was less shiny and more grainy. Until 1916, collectors could order them individually from the U.S. Mint. Due to declining demand - the matte proof method was not popular with collectors at the time - production of proof coins was discontinued after 1916.

In 1936, production of proof coins was resumed - again, coins were available individually - and again suspended after 1942 due to wartime constraints. (Unlike in 1916, proof coins were becoming more popular in 1942.) In 1965-67, due to a supposed shortage of circulating coin, no proof sets were issued; instead, so-called Special Mint Sets were produced for collectors.

[Pub-911]

So millions of business-strike Kennedy half dollars have been minted in Denver and Philadelphia every year since 2002, including more than 3.5 million so far this year.

[freemkt]

Originally Posted by Pub-911

So millions of business-strike Kennedy half dollars have been minted in Denver and Philadelphia every year since 2002, including more than 3.5 million so far this year.

Yes, and because the entire production went into mint sets for collectors, none were distributed to banks for circulation. Even so, a few coins are broken out of mint sets and proof sets by kids who spend them into circulation. So-called "modern" (post-1964) mint sets and proof sets actually have little value, as demand is much lower for them than for earlier sets have 90% silver coins which are more popular.

[Pub-911]

Business strike is a term that distinguishes coins created for commerce from commemorative coins and proof coins.