Where are America's coined likenesses to the late President John F. Kennedy?
Some 42.1 million half dollars were produced by the Denver Mint in 2000, with 5.8 million more so far this year.
But have you received even one as change in the past four or five years?
Produced since 1794, the half dollars used to occupy equal space in cash tills. No More.
Want to bet that many novice cashiers have never seen a four-bit coin? You can imagine them saying, "What the hell is this? Play money?"
America's 50-cent pieces are being swamped by the 6.5 billion quarters coined by the Denver and Philadelphia mints in 2000, with 2.9 billion more so far this year.
All that amidst rumors that pennies and paper dollars soon will be phased out as inefficient and unnecessary.
Why? Casino slot machines and most vending machines don't have slots for pennies, paper dollars--or the hapless half dollar. (26 AUGUST 2001)
