How Much Silver Do Half Dollars Contain?

The U.S. half dollar coin has a rich history. The presence of silver in half dollars has changed significantly over time, reflecting shifts in economic policy and metal prices. Understanding these changes is important for anyone interested in the intrinsic value of these coins. This article explores which half dollars contain silver, how to identify them, and how to determine their value based on their silver content.

Silver Content in Half Dollar Series

Several half dollar series were minted with significant silver content. The Walking Liberty half dollar (1916-1947) contains 90% silver. Each coin weighs 12.5 grams and contains 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver. The Franklin half dollar (1948-1963) also maintained a 90% silver composition, containing 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver.

The Kennedy half dollar, introduced in 1964, initially continued the tradition of 90% silver content. However, due to rising silver prices and increasing demand for the metal, the composition changed shortly thereafter. The Coinage Act of 1965 significantly altered the metallic content of U.S. coinage to reduce the amount of silver used. As a direct result, Kennedy half dollars minted from 1965 to 1970 contained a reduced silver content of 40%. These 40% silver Kennedy half dollars weigh 11.5 grams, and each coin contains 0.1479 troy ounces of pure silver.

Identifying Silver Half Dollars

Identifying whether a half dollar contains silver primarily involves checking its mint date. Any half dollar minted in 1964 or earlier will contain 90% silver. This includes all Walking Liberty and Franklin half dollars, as well as the initial run of Kennedy half dollars. Kennedy half dollars minted between 1965 and 1970 are the only ones with 40% silver content.

Another reliable method for identification is examining the coin’s edge. Silver half dollars, particularly those with 90% silver content, will exhibit a solid silver color along their edge. In contrast, clad coins, which are made of layers of different metals, will show a distinct copper stripe on their edge. This visual difference is a quick indicator of whether a coin contains silver or is a copper-nickel clad issue. Checking the date and the edge are the most accessible and accurate methods for the general public.

Calculating Intrinsic Silver Value

Determining the intrinsic silver value, often called “melt value,” of a half dollar requires two pieces of information: the amount of pure silver in the coin and the current market price of silver. The pure silver content for each type of silver half dollar is a fixed amount. For instance, a 90% silver half dollar contains approximately 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver.

To calculate the intrinsic value, you multiply the pure silver weight of the coin by the current spot price of silver per troy ounce. For example, if the spot price of silver is $25.00 per troy ounce, a 90% silver half dollar would have an intrinsic value of approximately $9.04 (0.36169 oz $25.00/oz). Reputable financial news websites or precious metals dealer sites provide current silver spot prices. This intrinsic value fluctuates daily with the global silver market.