Half dollars come in three silver tiers: 90% silver (1964 and earlier), 40% silver (Kennedy halves 1965–1970), and no silver (1971 and later). The series includes Walking Liberty, Franklin, Kennedy, and older designs. Getting the date range right matters because a 1965 half dollar is worth less than half of a 1964 at identical spot prices.
Half Dollar Silver Content by Year
| Series | Years | Composition | ASW per coin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy | 1964 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.3617 ozt |
| Kennedy “silver clad” | 1965–1970 | 40% silver clad | 0.1479 ozt |
| Kennedy | 1971–present | Copper-nickel clad | 0 |
| Franklin | 1948–1963 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.3617 ozt |
| Walking Liberty | 1916–1947 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.3617 ozt |
| Barber | 1892–1915 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.3617 ozt |
| Seated Liberty | 1839–1891 | 90% silver, 10% copper | 0.3617 ozt |
| Capped Bust | 1807–1839 | varying (approx. 89%) | slightly less |
The 40% Kennedy halves (1965–1970) have their own distinct silver layer — they are not simply “less silver” but a sandwich construction: 40% silver bonded to a copper core.
How Much Silver Is in Each Type?
90% half dollar (Walking Liberty, Franklin, 1964 Kennedy):
- Gross weight: 12.50 g
- Silver content: 12.50 × 0.90 = 11.25 g = 0.3617 ozt ASW
- Melt at $60.73/ozt: $21.97
40% Kennedy half (1965–1970):
- Gross weight: 11.50 g
- Silver content: 11.50 × 0.40 = 4.60 g = 0.1479 ozt ASW
- Melt at $60.73/ozt: $8.98
At spot prices of October 7, 2026 ($60.73/ozt), a 90% half is worth roughly 2.45 times a 40% Kennedy half of the same grade.
Use the coin melt value calculator for today’s live values.
How to Tell Silver Half Dollars Apart
By date:
- Date 1964 or earlier → 90% silver
- Date 1965–1970 → 40% silver (Kennedy only)
- Date 1971 or later → clad (no silver) unless a special collector issue
By edge:
- 90% half: bright uniform silver-white edge
- 40% Kennedy: lighter silver-colored edge but still uniform (the outer layers are silver-colored alloy)
- Clad Kennedy 1971+: copper-red stripe visible through the rim
The 40% vs. clad edge can be subtle because the outer layers on 40% coins are a silver-colored alloy. Date identification is more reliable than the edge test for Kennedy halves.
Worked Example: A Roll of Mixed Silver Half Dollars
A half dollar roll holds 20 coins. Suppose you have 10 Walker/Franklin/Kennedy-1964 (90%) and 10 Kennedy 1965–1970 (40%):
| Type | Coins | ASW each | Total ASW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% half | 10 | 0.3617 ozt | 3.617 ozt |
| 40% Kennedy | 10 | 0.1479 ozt | 1.479 ozt |
| Total | 20 | 5.096 ozt |
Melt value at $60.73/ozt: 5.096 × $60.73 = $309.48
For a pure roll of 20 Walking Liberty halves: 20 × 0.3617 × $60.73 = $439.41
Half Dollar Silver Melt by Quantity
90% silver halves:
| Quantity | ASW | Melt at $60.73/ozt |
|---|---|---|
| 1 half | 0.3617 ozt | $21.97 |
| 2 halves ($1 face) | 0.7234 ozt | $43.93 |
| 20 halves (1 roll) | 7.234 ozt | $439.24 |
| 200 halves ($100 face) | 72.34 ozt | $4,392.41 |
40% Kennedy halves:
| Quantity | ASW | Melt at $60.73/ozt |
|---|---|---|
| 1 half | 0.1479 ozt | $8.98 |
| 20 halves (1 roll) | 2.958 ozt | $179.60 |
| 200 halves ($100 face) | 29.58 ozt | $1,796.00 |
Reference: spot prices of October 7, 2026. Use the junk silver calculator for live prices.
Key Dates with Numismatic Premiums
Most 90% half dollars in circulated grades sell near melt, but some command collector premiums:
Walking Liberty halves:
- 1916 (all mints), 1916-D reverse, 1921, 1921-D, 1921-S: Significant premiums in all grades.
- Most 1940s Walkers: trade very close to melt.
Franklin halves:
- Very few scarce dates. Most sell at melt in circulated grades.
- 1955 Franklin: low mintage, slight premium in high grades.
Kennedy halves:
- 1964 (90%): Common date, trades at melt. High-grade specimens (MS65+) carry numismatic value.
- 1970-D: Not released to circulation (only in Mint Sets); commands a premium.
- All 1965–1969: Common, trade near 40% silver melt value.
Have any Walking Liberty halves from 1916–1921 or low-mintage dates professionally appraised before bulk-selling at melt.
Special Silver Half Dollars After 1970
These are not found in ordinary change:
- 1976-S Bicentennial Kennedy half (silver clad): Sold in Bicentennial silver sets, 40% silver, 0.1479 ozt ASW.
- Silver Proof Kennedy halves (1992–present): 90% silver, included in US Mint Silver Proof Sets. Same 0.3617 ozt as a 90% circulation half.
- 2014-W 50th Anniversary Kennedy half: 90% silver with high-finish proof strike. Collector-only.
None circulate. A Kennedy half found in change dated after 1970 is clad.
90% vs. 40%: Which Is Better for Stacking?
For pure silver-per-dollar-spent, compare premiums. 90% halves tend to carry slightly higher premiums over spot than 40% Kennedys because of stronger collector and stacker demand. For face-value efficiency, 40% Kennedys sometimes offer cheaper silver when dealers discount them relative to 90% coins.
Full analysis in 90% vs. 40% silver. For Kennedy-specific details, see Kennedy half dollar silver content.
How to Buy and Store Silver Half Dollars
Silver half dollars are sold by the roll (20 coins) or in face-value bags. Common buying sources include local coin dealers, bullion dealers, coin shows, and estate sales.
Typical premiums (common dates):
- 90% Walkers and Franklins: 5–12% over melt
- 40% Kennedy halves (1965–1970): 3–8% over melt (less collector demand)
- 1964 Kennedy: sometimes trades at a small premium over other 90% halves because of name recognition
When comparing quotes, ask for price per face dollar or per troy ounce of silver. At $60.73/ozt spot: a 90% half melt equals $21.97 per coin; any price above that is your per-coin premium. Divide the price by 0.3617 to get the effective cost per troy ounce of silver.
Storage: Half-dollar tubes hold 20 coins. Label tubes with series and date range. Store in a cool, dry location. Toning on silver halves is cosmetic and does not affect the silver content or dealer pricing at melt.
The junk silver calculator and the coin melt value calculator both support half-dollar inputs at the current live silver price.