Discovering the true value of a silver half dollar is like uncovering a small piece of treasure, and the secret is all in the date. The amount of silver, and therefore its worth, changes dramatically depending on the year it was minted. You could be holding something worth much more than a mere fifty cents.
For the most significant value, you'll want to look for half dollars minted in 1964 or earlier. These coins, which include the iconic Walking Liberty, Franklin, and the 1964 Kennedy half dollars, are the real prize for collectors and investors. They are composed of 90% silver, containing a substantial 0.3617 troy ounces of the precious metal. Based on current market prices, the silver in one of these coins is worth around $9.09, a remarkable return on its face value.
The story of silver in half dollars doesn't end there, however. From 1965 to 1970, the U.S. Mint produced Kennedy half dollars with a reduced silver content. These coins are 40% silver, containing about 0.1479 troy ounces. While not as valuable as their predecessors, their silver content still gives them an intrinsic worth of approximately $3.72. Finding one of these is still a fantastic discovery, as they are worth many times their fifty-cent denomination.
Any half dollar you find dated 1971 or later (excluding special silver proof sets) contains no silver at all and is only worth its face value. So, before you put a half dollar back into circulation, always check the date. You might just be holding onto a valuable piece of American history whose worth is tied directly to the fluctuating price of silver.
