Discovering real silver in your pocket change is a thrilling experience, and the U.S. half dollar is one of the best places to look for this hidden treasure. The key to finding silver is knowing the dates, as the composition of these coins changed dramatically over time.
For the highest silver content, you'll want to search for any half dollar minted in 1964 or earlier. These coins, including the classic Barber, the iconic Walking Liberty, and the popular Franklin half dollars, are all composed of a substantial 90% silver. The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar is especially notable as it was the very last circulating U.S. half dollar to contain this high level of silver, making it a prized find for both collectors and investors.
The silver story doesn't end in 1964, however. From 1965 through 1970, the Kennedy Half Dollar was still produced with a significant amount of precious metal. These coins contain 40% silver and are often referred to as "silver-clad." While not as pure as their predecessors, they represent a unique era in U.S. coinage and are still a fantastic and valuable discovery.
After 1970, the era of silver in everyday pocket change came to a close. Any circulating half dollar you find dated 1971 or later is made from a copper-nickel alloy and contains no silver. The only exceptions are special collector's edition silver proof sets and modern commemorative coins issued by the U.S. Mint, which are specifically created for collectors and can contain 90% or even 99.9% pure silver.
