What years are silver half dollars? This question often arises among coin collectors and history enthusiasts who are fascinated by the unique characteristics and historical significance of these coins. Silver half dollars, also known as 40% silver coins, were minted in the United States from 1965 to 1970. These coins are highly sought after for their silver content, artistic value, and historical significance.
The silver half dollar series began in 1965 when the U.S. Mint decided to resume minting 40% silver coins due to the rising silver prices. The first year of the silver half dollar series, 1965, marked a significant change in coinage as it was the first time that dimes, quarters, and half dollars were minted with 40% silver. This was a response to the rising cost of copper-nickel clad coins, which were introduced in 1965 to replace the silver coins.
The silver half dollars minted from 1965 to 1970 feature a 40% silver composition, with the remaining 60% being copper. The coins were produced in three different denominations: the Liberty Head, the Walking Liberty, and the Kennedy. The Liberty Head half dollar, also known as the Franklin half dollar, was minted from 1948 to 1963 and featured a profile of Benjamin Franklin on the obverse. The Walking Liberty half dollar, minted from 1916 to 1947, features a walking figure of Lady Liberty on the obverse. The Kennedy half dollar, introduced in 1964, features a profile of President John F. Kennedy on the obverse.
The silver half dollars from 1965 to 1970 are particularly valuable to collectors due to their silver content and the limited mintage of some years. The most valuable of these coins are the 1965 and 1969-D Kennedy half dollars, which are known for their low mintages and high silver content. The 1965 Kennedy half dollar, for example, has a mintage of only 484,000 coins, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after silver half dollars.
In conclusion, the years that are silver half dollars span from 1965 to 1970, encompassing the Liberty Head, Walking Liberty, and Kennedy designs. These coins are prized by collectors for their silver content, artistic value, and historical significance. The limited mintages of some years, such as the 1965 and 1969-D Kennedy half dollars, make them particularly valuable in the coin collecting world.
