Do half dollars have silver in them? This question often arises among coin collectors and history enthusiasts. The answer to this question can be found by looking back at the history of half dollars and understanding the composition of these coins over the years.
Half dollars have been minted in the United States since 1794, and their composition has changed several times throughout their history. Initially, the first half dollars were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition was consistent until 1839 when the silver content was reduced to 89.24% and the copper content was increased to 10.76%.
However, the silver content in half dollars took another significant hit in 1965. Due to the rising cost of silver, the U.S. Mint decided to change the composition of half dollars. Starting in 1965, half dollars were made of a clad composition, which is a combination of copper and nickel. This change was made to prevent the coins from being melted down for their silver content, as had been happening with other silver coins.
It is important to note that while most half dollars minted after 1965 do not contain silver, there are still some exceptions. Proof sets and some special edition half dollars, such as the 1976 Bicentennial half dollar, are still made of 40% silver. These coins are highly sought after by collectors and can be quite valuable.
For those interested in collecting half dollars, it is essential to understand the different compositions and the value of each coin. Coins minted before 1965 are generally more valuable due to their silver content, while clad half dollars are generally worth face value unless they are in exceptional condition.
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Do half dollars have silver in them?” is not a simple yes or no. While most half dollars minted after 1965 do not contain silver, there are still some exceptions, and collectors should be aware of the different compositions and their corresponding values.
