how many oz of silver in a kennedy half dollar

[AaliyahLynn]

Ah, the Kennedy half dollar, a coin that's had a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to its silver content. Asking how much silver is in one is like asking a chameleon its favorite color—it really depends on when you ask!

If you've stumbled upon a Kennedy half dollar from 1964, you've hit the jackpot. That specific year, the coin was made of 90% silver, packing a respectable 0.3617 troy ounces of the precious metal. It was a one-year wonder, a glorious silver-heavy tribute.

After that brief moment of glory, the U.S. Mint decided to put the coin on a diet. From 1965 to 1970, Kennedy half dollars were made with only 40% silver. Anything minted after that for general circulation contains no silver at all, making them worth, well, fifty cents.

So, before you get too excited about your find, check the date. It's the only thing standing between you holding a valuable piece of silver or just enough money to buy half of a very cheap cup of coffee.