how much are half dollars worth before 1964

[MacZachary]

Well, if you've been rummaging through your grandma's old cookie tin and found some half dollars from before 1964, don't you dare spend them on a soda. Those aren't just 50 cents; they're tiny silver treasures in disguise!

The key, as the provided information hints, is that all U.S. half dollars minted before 1964 are made of 90% silver. After that, the government got a bit stingier with the precious metals. Because of this high silver content, their value isn't tied to their face value but to the constantly changing price of silver on the market. This is often called their "melt value."

So, how much are they worth? They're worth a whole lot more than two quarters. While the exact amount fluctuates daily with the silver market, you can generally expect a common pre-1964 half dollar to be worth somewhere in the ballpark of $9 to $12, and sometimes much more when silver prices are high. Think of it as a pocket-sized piece of bullion. Of course, this is just the base value. If you happen to have a rare date, a specific mint mark, or a coin in exceptionally good condition, its value to a collector could be significantly higher. So, check your dates before you think about melting anything