How Much Silver Is in a Half Dollar?

The U.S. half dollar coin has a varied history regarding its metallic composition, particularly its silver content. Understanding the year of mintage is key to determining a coin’s intrinsic value. The amount of silver present can differ significantly, ranging from a high percentage to none at all, depending on when it was produced by the U.S. Mint. This variation directly impacts the coin’s melt value, which is distinct from any collector or numismatic value it might possess.

Half Dollars with 90% Silver

Half dollar coins minted in 1964 and earlier contain a substantial silver content. These coins are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. Specific half dollar designs from this era include the Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963), the Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-1947), and the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar. Each of these 90% silver half dollars holds approximately 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver.

To identify these coins, check the mint date. Any half dollar from 1964 or prior will have this high silver purity. Their significant silver weight makes them particularly sought after for their metal value.

Half Dollars with 40% Silver

A change in the composition of half dollars occurred between 1965 and 1970. During this period, Kennedy Half Dollars were produced with a reduced silver content of 40% silver and 60% copper. This alteration was a response to rising silver prices, which made the previous 90% silver coins too expensive to circulate. Each of these 40% silver half dollars contains approximately 0.1479 troy ounces of pure silver.

To identify these coins, look for the mint date between 1965 and 1970. Their overall 40% silver composition resulted from an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper clad to an inner core. A subtle visual cue can be a faint copper line visible along the coin’s edge, indicating its clad construction.

Half Dollars with No Silver

From 1971 onward, the composition of circulating half dollars changed completely, eliminating all silver content. These coins are known as copper-nickel clad half dollars. They consist of a pure copper core bonded between outer layers of a copper-nickel alloy, typically 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.

Identifying these coins is straightforward by checking the mint date; any half dollar dated 1971 or later will not contain silver. The distinct copper color visible on the coin’s edge, contrasting with its silvery surfaces, is a clear indicator of its copper-nickel clad makeup. This means their value is solely based on their face value as currency.

Calculating Silver Value

Determining the melt value of a silver half dollar involves a simple calculation using its known silver content and the current market price of silver. First, identify the coin’s silver weight in troy ounces based on its mintage year, using the figures of 0.36169 troy ounces for 90% silver coins or 0.1479 troy ounces for 40% silver coins. The next step requires finding the current spot price of silver, which is typically quoted per troy ounce.

Financial websites and commodity exchanges provide real-time spot prices for silver. Multiply the silver weight of the coin by the current spot price of silver. For example, if a 90% silver half dollar has 0.36169 troy ounces of silver and the spot price is $X per troy ounce, its melt value would be 0.36169 $X. This calculation provides the intrinsic metal value, which may differ from any additional premium a coin might command from collectors due to its rarity or condition.