Fifty years ago, people who were 50 seemed "old." Not anymore. I suppose 50 really is the new 40, or even 30. For those of you who turn 50 this year, Happy Birthday! But, truth be told, a half-century ago you were too young to experience one of the most amazing years in U.S. history.

A quick look back shows 1964 introduced us to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Lucky Charms and Pop-Tarts. "Mary Poppins," "Dr. Strangelove" and "Goldfinger" were box-office hits while "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Bewitched" and "Underdog" premiered on TV.

That year, the first Mustang rolled off the Ford assembly line, Lyndon Johnson declared the war on poverty, G.I. Joe debuted on store shelves, Arby's sold its first roast beef sandwich, Buffalo wings were introduced at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, and New York City hosted the World's Fair.

It wasn't all beer and skittles. The war in Vietnam escalated. Jimmy Hoffa was found guilty of jury tampering. Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison. The Palestine Liberation Organization formed. The Boston Strangler was arrested, and Jack Ruby was convicted of murdering Lee Harvey Oswald after he murdered President Kennedy. To that point, the assassination of Kennedy was still scandalously fresh in everyone's mind.

Perhaps the most iconic object of 1964 is the Kennedy half-dollar. Prior to that, we had the Franklin half. It was nice enough. But, the Kennedy coin featured the image of a man every American had known or seen on TV if not in person.

Kennedy stood up for the expansion of civil rights, stared down the Cold War Soviets when they put missiles in Cuba and led a war on the mob. Any or all of the above may have led to his death.

Every kid coveted the 1964 half-dollar coin — the last to be struck from 90 percent silver. For the time, its purchasing power was amazing be it for candy, toys, hobbies or sports. To have one in your pocket meant you didn't have a care in the world.

In 1965, the U.S. phased out silver coins for copper nickel clad versions. Kennedy half dollars held on for a few years with a silver content of 40 percent silver, but those, too, went to copper/clad by 1968. Over the next few years the half dollar all but disappeared from cash drawers. They did remain in sets of coins from the U.S. Mint but only rarely turned up in pocket change.

For the 50th anniversary of the coin's issuance, the U.S. Mint has introduced a new set of four Kennedy halves. The coins are produced at the four Mint facilities in the U.S. in various finishes including Uncirculated from Denver, Enhanced Uncirculated (with heavy laser frosting) from San Francisco, Proof from Philadelphia and Reverse Proof from West Point.

The coins all feature a 2014 date and one other very special thing — each is struck from 90 percent silver, just as was the original in 1964. Each comes encapsulated in a leather-like presentation case with a booklet describing the coins and history of the Kennedy half.

At $99, dealers with whom I've spoken feel good about the set because of its affordability and universal appeal — especially among baby boomers. Similar to the gold Kennedy half coin struck earlier this summer, the quantity of sets may be limited to the number of orders received. It's also expected to be limited to five per household.

The silver Kennedy coin set officially goes on sale Oct. 28, and will be available directly from the U.S. Mint via phone or Internet. For more information or to order log onto www.USMint.gov/shop or phone toll-free: 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Note: We are barely two months from both Hanukkah and Christmas. Even in 1964, people had begun their planning and shopping by now. Consider this a killer stocking stuffer.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.