Which Half Dollar Coins Are Silver & How to Identify Them
Unlock the value in your half dollar collection. Learn how to accurately identify which U.S. half dollar coins contain silver.
United States half dollars have a rich history, serving as a prominent denomination in American coinage for centuries. While many assume all half dollars are simply currency, the presence of silver in these coins is tied to specific historical periods and changes in legislation. Not all half dollars contain silver, and the precious metal content depends entirely on their date of mintage and the series to which they belong. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide for identifying silver half dollars, helping to distinguish those containing precious metal from standard clad coinage.
Identifying Silver Half Dollars by Date and Series
The date of a half dollar is the most important factor in determining its silver content. Prior to 1965, most circulating half dollars contained a significant amount of silver. Several distinct series of half dollars were minted with silver, each featuring unique designs.
The Seated Liberty Half Dollar, minted from 1839 to 1891, was composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. These coins display Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield and a pole with a Phrygian cap, while the reverse features an eagle with outstretched wings. Early varieties from 1839-1866 lack the “IN GOD WE TRUST” motto, which was added to the reverse above the eagle in 1866.
The Barber Half Dollar was produced from 1892 to 1915, also with a 90% silver and 10% copper composition. The obverse shows a depiction of Liberty with a cap, laurel wreath, and a small coronet, while the reverse features a heraldic eagle.
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar, minted from 1916 to 1947, continued the tradition of 90% silver content. It features a full-length figure of Liberty striding towards the sun on the obverse, with an eagle on a mountaintop perch on the reverse.
The Franklin Half Dollar, issued from 1948 to 1963, also contains 90% silver. Its obverse displays a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, with the Liberty Bell on the reverse. A small eagle is positioned to the right of the bell to meet legal requirements.
The Kennedy Half Dollar, first minted in 1964, has varying silver content. The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is the only year for this series that contains 90% silver. Its obverse features a portrait of President John F. Kennedy, with the Presidential Seal on the reverse. Half dollars minted from 1965 to 1970 still contain silver, but their composition was reduced to 40% silver. After 1970, circulating half dollars were made without silver.
Understanding Silver Purity in Half Dollars
United States half dollars feature two distinct silver compositions: 90% silver and 40% silver. A 90% silver coin indicates that 90% of its metallic content is pure silver, with the remaining 10% composed of copper, providing durability. These coins weigh 12.5 grams and contain approximately 0.3617 troy ounces of silver.
The transition from 90% to 40% silver content occurred due to the Coinage Act of 1965. Prior to this legislation, rising silver prices and a growing demand for the metal made the silver content in coins more valuable than their face value, leading to widespread hoarding. To address this shortage and reduce reliance on silver, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the act, which eliminated silver from dimes and quarters and reduced the silver content of half dollars.
Half dollars minted from 1965 to 1970 contain 40% silver. These coins weigh 11.5 grams and contain approximately 0.1479 troy ounces of silver. After 1970, circulating half dollars were made with a copper-nickel alloy, containing no silver.
Confirming Silver Content
Beyond checking the date and series, several non-destructive methods can help confirm if a half dollar contains silver. These tests are useful for added assurance or when a coin’s date is unclear.
The edge test involves examining the coin’s side. Silver half dollars, particularly those with 90% silver, will display a solid, uniform silver color across their edge. In contrast, clad coins often show a visible copper stripe running through the middle of their edge.
A magnet test can indicate silver content. Silver is not magnetic, so a genuine silver half dollar will not stick to a magnet. If a coin is strongly attracted to a magnet, it is likely not silver or contains a significant amount of a ferromagnetic metal, such as iron or nickel. While a lack of magnetic attraction suggests silver, it does not definitively confirm it, as other non-magnetic metals exist.
The weight of a half dollar offers clues. A 90% silver half dollar weighs 12.5 grams, while a 40% silver half dollar weighs 11.5 grams. Non-silver half dollars, minted from 1971 onward, weigh 11.34 grams. Using a precise scale can help differentiate between these compositions, especially between silver and non-silver issues.
The “ring” test, or sound test, is a common method used by collectors. When gently balanced on a fingertip and tapped with another coin or a fingernail, a silver half dollar will produce a distinct, sustained high-pitched ringing sound. Non-silver, clad coins produce a duller thud or a much shorter, less resonant sound. Different silver purities and coin conditions can slightly alter the tone, but a clear, sustained ring is characteristic of silver.