What Years Were Silver Half Dollars Made?
Discover which US half dollars contain silver. Learn to identify valuable coins by understanding their historical silver content.
United States half dollars have a rich history, with their metallic composition changing significantly over time. Knowing which years contain silver is valuable for collectors and those interested in a coin’s intrinsic worth, as silver content can make a coin worth more than its face value. These variations reflect shifts in economic conditions and the availability of precious metals.
90% Silver Half Dollars
Historically, several series of U.S. half dollars were struck with a high silver purity, containing 90% silver and 10% copper, and weighing 12.50 grams. These include the Barber Half Dollar, minted from 1892 to 1915, and the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, produced from 1916 to 1947. The Walking Liberty series is celebrated for its artistic design depicting Lady Liberty.
The Franklin Half Dollar, featuring Benjamin Franklin, continued this 90% silver standard from 1948 until 1963. The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar also contained 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 12.50 grams. This 1964 issue was the last circulating U.S. half dollar to feature such a high silver purity, making it particularly sought after. Due to their silver content, these coins often exceed their 50-cent face value.
40% Silver Half Dollars
The Coinage Act of 1965 reduced the silver content in the Kennedy Half Dollar due to rising silver prices and increased demand. Kennedy Half Dollars minted from 1965 to 1970 contained a 40% silver composition, a period often referred to as the “silver-clad” era.
These 40% silver coins consist of an outer layer that is 80% silver and 20% copper, bonded to an inner core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper. They weigh 11.50 grams, slightly less than their 90% silver counterparts. These coins still possess intrinsic value well above their face value due to their precious metal content.
Identifying Silver Half Dollars
Identifying silver half dollars can be done using a few simple methods. The most common is the “edge test.” If the coin has a solid silver-colored edge without any visible copper stripe, it likely contains 90% silver, characteristic of half dollars minted in 1964 and earlier.
Half dollars from 1965 to 1970 may show a faint, grayish line of copper along the edge, but not a prominent copper stripe. Coins minted from 1971 onwards are “clad” coins, composed of a copper core bonded between outer layers of copper-nickel, and will clearly display a distinct copper stripe on their edge.
Other indicators include a distinct “ping” sound when silver coins are dropped lightly on a hard surface, unlike non-silver coins. Additionally, silver is not magnetic.