The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was the last 90% silver coin to be put into circulation by the U.S. Mint. It was intended to memorialize the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to cut short Franklin Half Dollar run and begin minting Kennedy Half Dollars just over one month after President Kennedy’s death. The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars are a classy way to put silver in a person’s financial portfolio.