What Year Did 50-Cent Pieces Stop Being Silver?

United States half dollars have a history of changing metal compositions, particularly concerning the presence of silver. The evolution of these 50-cent pieces reflects shifts in economic conditions and the availability of precious metals. Understanding these changes helps to identify the silver content of different half dollar issues.

The End of 90% Silver Half Dollars

The year 1964 marked a significant turning point for the silver content in U.S. half dollars. This was the last year that half dollars, specifically the newly introduced Kennedy Half Dollar, were struck for general circulation with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper.

The decision to reduce silver content was driven by rising silver prices, which by the early 1960s, neared the point where the bullion value of the silver in coins would exceed their face value. This led to widespread hoarding of silver coins, contributing to coin shortages. They rarely appeared in general circulation as many were saved by the public as souvenirs or for their silver value.

The Transition to 40% Silver

A transitional period for half dollar composition began in 1965 and lasted through 1970. During these years, half dollars were no longer made with 90% silver but instead contained a reduced amount of 40% silver, often referred to as “silver clad” coins. This change was enacted by the Coinage Act of 1965.

This act eliminated silver from dimes and quarters entirely but reduced the silver content of the half dollar to 40%, consisting of a pure copper core bonded between two outer layers of 80% silver and 20% copper. The continued rising price of silver necessitated this reduction to prevent the melting of coins for their metal value. Even with the reduced silver content, these 40% silver half dollars still attracted interest from collectors and speculators, leading to continued hoarding.

Modern Copper-Nickel Half Dollars

From 1971 onwards, circulating U.S. half dollars were completely stripped of silver content. These coins adopted a copper-nickel clad composition, similar to dimes and quarters, consisting of a pure copper core with outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This change was part of a broader effort to remove precious metals from circulating coinage due to their increasing market value.

The absence of silver in half dollars minted from 1971 to the present means they are commonly found in circulation and do not hold intrinsic silver value. Any half dollar produced before 1971 contains some silver, making them distinct from the modern issues.