When Did They Stop Using Silver in Half Dollars?

The composition of U.S. coinage has evolved significantly over time, particularly regarding the use of silver. Public interest often focuses on these changes, especially for denominations like the half dollar, which once contained substantial amounts of the precious metal. Understanding the shifts in metallic content provides insight into the economic pressures and policy decisions that shaped American currency.

The End of 90% Silver

Before 1965, U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition gave these coins an intrinsic value tied to the price of silver. The year 1964 marked the final production of circulating half dollars containing this high silver percentage.

The debut of the Kennedy Half Dollar in 1964, following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, coincided with the 90% silver era. Millions were minted, but rising silver prices quickly led to hoarding, reducing circulation. The increasing industrial demand for silver, coupled with a limited supply, pushed the metal’s market price close to and eventually above the face value of the coins. This made it unsustainable for the U.S. Mint to produce coins with such high silver content, as their metal value exceeded their monetary value.

The 40% Silver Era

While dimes and quarters transitioned to a purely clad composition with no silver starting in 1965, half dollars followed a different path, retaining some silver. From 1965 through 1970, half dollars were minted with a 40% silver composition. This change was enacted through the Coinage Act of 1965 to address silver shortages and hoarding.

These 40% silver half dollars were constructed as clad coins, featuring an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper bonded to an inner core of 21% silver and 79% copper, resulting in an overall 40% silver composition. This layered design allowed the coins to maintain a silvery appearance despite the reduction in precious metal. The decision to keep some silver in half dollars, unlike other denominations, aimed to mitigate public concerns or maintain tradition.

The Shift to Clad Coinage

The final step in removing silver from circulating half dollars occurred in 1971. Half dollars, like dimes and quarters, transitioned to a purely copper-nickel clad composition with no silver. This composition consists of an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel over a pure copper core.

This change ended the era of silver in everyday U.S. half dollars. While special collector editions, such as some Bicentennial half dollars issued in 1975 and 1976, were produced with 40% silver content, the standard circulating versions from 1971 onward contained no silver.