Kennedy half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This translates to 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver per coin. These coins weigh 11.5 grams.
The silver content of these coins represents a significant historical shift in U.S. coinage. Prior to 1965, circulating half dollars had maintained a high silver composition for decades. The Coinage Act of 1965, driven by rising silver prices and increasing demand for the metal in industrial applications, led to the reduction and eventual elimination of silver from circulating denominations. This change made the 1964 half dollar, and those minted earlier, a key date for collectors and investors interested in silver. The intrinsic silver value often exceeds the face value of these coins, making them a popular target for those seeking a tangible asset.
