Hi there! That's a great question, as the value of old silver half dollars can vary quite a bit. The worth of these coins primarily comes down to two factors: their silver content, which gives them a base "melt value," and their rarity and condition, which gives them numismatic or collector value.
Based on the silver content, there are two main types of silver half dollars. The first and most common type is the 90% silver half dollar. This includes several classic designs like the Barber Half Dollar (1892-1915), the Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-1947), the Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963), and the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar. Each of these coins contains about 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver. The base melt value for one of these 90% silver coins is around $8.95, though this price fluctuates with the daily market price of silver.
The second type is the 40% silver half dollar, which only includes Kennedy Half Dollars made between 1965 and 1970. These coins contain less silver, about 0.1479 troy ounces, giving them a lower melt value of around $3.66.
It's very important to remember that this melt value is just the minimum worth of the coin. Many older half dollars, especially those that are rare or in excellent condition, can have a numismatic value that is much higher than their silver content. So, while the melt value gives you a great starting point, the specific year, mint mark, and condition of your coin could make it worth significantly more to a collector.
