
Hello there! That's a great question, and the answer is that the value of a half dollar really depends on its year and what it's made of. The price isn't a single number, which is why guides like Greysheet list values "By Issue."
Generally speaking, modern half dollars you might get as change are from 1971 or later. These are made of a copper-nickel alloy and don't contain any silver, so they are typically only worth their face value of 50 cents.
However, older half dollars are a different story because they contain silver. Any half dollar dated 1964 or earlier is made of 90% silver, making it much more valuable. Its worth is tied to the current price of silver, so it will always be worth many times its face value.
There's also a middle ground. Half dollars minted between 1965 and 1970 are made of 40% silver. While not as valuable as the 90% silver coins, they are still worth more than 50 cents due to their silver content.
So, the key is to check the date on your coin! If it's dated 1970 or earlier, you've definitely got something worth more than just 50 cents.


