How Much Silver Is in a Half Dollar Coin?

Half-dollar coins have a long and varied history within United States coinage, and their composition has changed significantly over time. While many associate half dollars with silver, the precious metal content of these coins is not uniform. The presence and percentage of silver depend entirely on the year a specific half dollar was minted, reflecting shifts in economic conditions and the U.S. Mint’s policies. Understanding these changes helps to identify which half dollars contain silver and in what amounts.

Half Dollars with 90% Silver Content

Early half dollars contained a significant amount of silver. Several distinct series of half dollars were minted with 90% silver, making them sought after for their intrinsic metal value. These include the Barber Half Dollars, produced from 1892 to 1915, which featured a classical design. Following these, the Walking Liberty Half Dollars, minted between 1916 and 1947, showcased a patriotic image of Lady Liberty.

The Franklin Half Dollars, issued from 1948 to 1963, continued this tradition of high silver content, depicting Benjamin Franklin on the obverse. Each of these 90% silver half dollars has a standard weight of 12.5 grams. With 90% silver, this translates to an actual silver weight (ASW) of 0.36169 troy ounces per coin. Collectors identify these coins by their distinct designs and minting years.

Half Dollars with 40% Silver Content

A notable change in half dollar composition occurred in the mid-1960s due to rising silver prices. The U.S. Mint reduced silver content in circulating coinage to prevent melting for metal value. This led to the introduction of the 40% silver Kennedy Half Dollars, which were minted from 1965 to 1970.

These coins represent a transitional period as the government moved away from using large quantities of silver in its currency. The 40% silver Kennedy Half Dollars are clad, with an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper bonded to a core of 21% silver and 79% copper. This composition results in an actual silver weight of 0.1479 troy ounces per coin. These coins are identified by their mintage years and the John F. Kennedy design.

Half Dollars with No Silver Content

The transition away from silver in circulating coinage was completed by the early 1970s. Beginning in 1971, Kennedy Half Dollars were produced without silver. These later issues were designed for circulation, eliminating the intrinsic metal value of earlier half dollars.

These half dollars, minted from 1971 to the present, are copper-nickel clad. This means they have an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core. The change in composition made these coins lighter and less expensive to produce. They are identified by their minting year, as all Kennedy Half Dollars from 1971 onward lack precious metal content.

Determining the Silver Value

For half dollars containing silver, their intrinsic value, or “melt value,” is calculated based on the current market price of silver. To determine this value, multiply the coin’s actual silver weight (ASW) by the current spot price of silver. For instance, a 90% silver half dollar with an ASW of 0.36169 troy ounces has its melt value determined by multiplying 0.36169 by the prevailing spot price. Similarly, a 40% silver Kennedy Half Dollar, with an ASW of 0.1479 troy ounces, uses this figure in the calculation.

This calculation provides only the melt value, representing the value of the silver metal itself. This melt value does not account for numismatic value, which is the additional worth a coin might have to collectors based on rarity, condition, or historical significance. Current silver spot prices are available on financial websites and commodity market platforms, providing the necessary data for these calculations.