The half dollar was the first United States Bicentennial coin denomination to enter circulation in 1975.
The Mint released the new half dollar on July 7, 1975, during ceremonies in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The city was associated with Seth Huntington, the designer of the coin’s Independence Hall reverse. The quarter followed in September, and the dollar followed in October.
All three coins carried the temporary date 1776–1976 and special reverse designs. The half dollar retained John F. Kennedy’s portrait, while the quarter and dollar retained their regular obverse portraits of George Washington and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The coins were intended to give the public a widely available memento of the anniversary. They were struck in large quantities, so ordinary examples generally remained accessible rather than becoming rare collectibles.