What Years of Half Dollars Are Silver?

Half dollars have a unique place in U.S. coinage history. While many modern half dollars are composed of base metals, earlier versions contain varying amounts of silver, making them sought after by collectors and those interested in their intrinsic metal value. This article details the specific years and characteristics of silver half dollars to help identify potentially valuable coins.

The 90% Silver Half Dollars

Before 1965, half dollars minted in the United States contained a substantial amount of silver. These coins were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, reflecting the standard coinage practices of the era. Their value was tied to the fluctuating price of silver, often exceeding their fifty-cent face value.

Several designs fall into this 90% silver category. The Walking Liberty half dollar, minted from 1916 to 1947, is an example featuring Lady Liberty striding towards the sunrise. Following this, the Franklin half dollar, produced from 1948 to 1963, showcased Benjamin Franklin on the obverse. Both designs are valued for their historical significance and silver content.

The initial Kennedy half dollars, first issued in 1964, also contained 90% silver. This issue was minted for only one year at this purity. These coins were released shortly after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and quickly became popular keepsakes.

The 40% Silver Half Dollars

A change in the composition of half dollars occurred starting in 1965. Due to rising silver prices and a growing coin shortage, the U.S. Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1965, which eliminated silver from dimes and quarters and reduced it in half dollars. From 1965 through 1970, half dollars were minted with a reduced silver content of 40%.

These 40% silver half dollars are “silver clad” coins. They feature an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper bonded to an inner core of 21% silver and 79% copper, resulting in an overall composition of 40% silver by weight. This change was a direct response to the economic pressures of the time, as the intrinsic value of silver in the 90% coins began to exceed their face value, leading to their removal from circulation.

The Kennedy half dollar is the coin found with this 40% silver composition. Coins minted between 1965 and 1970 fall into this category. While their silver content is lower than their pre-1965 counterparts, they still possess precious metal value beyond their fifty-cent denomination. After 1970, half dollars for general circulation were no longer produced with any silver.

Identifying Silver Half Dollars

Identifying silver half dollars involves more than just checking the minting year, though that remains the initial step. For coins dated 1964 and earlier, their 90% silver content often results in a unique appearance. The edge of these coins, if not worn, will show a uniform, solid silver color without any visible copper.

For half dollars minted between 1965 and 1970, which contain 40% silver, the edge can also provide a clue. While not as uniformly silver as the 90% coins, they will exhibit a faint copper band along the edge. This differs from modern clad coins (1971 and later), which show a much more pronounced and obvious copper strip.

Another method for identification is the “ring test.” When a silver coin is gently dropped onto a hard surface, it produces a clear, high-pitched ringing sound. Non-silver clad coins, in contrast, tend to produce a duller thud. This auditory cue can help differentiate silver from non-silver half dollars. Silver coins also have a slightly different weight compared to their base metal counterparts, with 90% silver half dollars weighing 12.5 grams and 40% silver half dollars weighing 11.5 grams, while non-silver versions weigh 11.34 grams.