Silver Half Dollar
Silver Half Dollar Value
How much is a silver half dollar worth? Melt value of 90% (pre-1965) and 40% (1965-1970) Kennedy half dollars across spot prices, plus which are silver.
Calculate coin valueHalf dollars come in two silver compositions. Coins dated 1964 and earlier - Kennedy (1964), Franklin, and Walking Liberty - are 90% silver and hold about 0.3617 troy ounces of silver. Kennedy halves dated 1965-1970 are 40% silver and hold about 0.1479 troy ounces. Halves from 1971 on (circulating) are clad with no silver.
The chart below shows the melt value of both the 90% and 40% silver half dollars across a range of silver spot prices.
Coin facts
| Coin | Years | Silver | Weight | Pure silver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90% Half (1964 & earlier) | Walking Liberty, Franklin, 1964 Kennedy | 90% | 12.5 g | 0.3617 ozt |
| 40% Kennedy (1965-70) | 1965-1970 Kennedy | 40% | 11.5 g | 0.1479 ozt |
Melt value at different silver prices
Melt value = pure silver content × silver spot price. Figures are for common-date coins; rare dates and high grades can be worth more to collectors.
| Silver spot | 90% Half (1964 & earlier) | 40% Kennedy (1965-70) |
|---|---|---|
| $25.00/ozt | $9.04 | $3.70 |
| $30.00/ozt | $10.85 | $4.44 |
| $35.00/ozt | $12.66 | $5.18 |
| $40.00/ozt | $14.47 | $5.92 |
| $45.00/ozt | $16.28 | $6.66 |
| $50.00/ozt | $18.08 | $7.40 |
| $60.00/ozt | $21.70 | $8.88 |
| $70.00/ozt | $25.32 | $10.35 |
For a live figure at the current spot price, use the coin silver calculator or weigh a lot in the main calculator.
Silver Half Dollar questions
Are Kennedy half dollars silver?
1964 Kennedy halves are 90% silver. 1965-1970 Kennedy halves are 40% silver. 1971 and later circulating Kennedy halves are copper-nickel clad with no silver.
How much silver is in a half dollar?
A 90% silver half dollar holds about 0.3617 troy ounces of silver; a 40% (1965-70) Kennedy holds about 0.1479 troy ounces.
Which half dollars are 90% silver?
Walking Liberty (1916-47), Franklin (1948-63), and 1964 Kennedy half dollars are all 90% silver.
How much is a silver half dollar worth?
At a $58 silver spot, a 90% half holds about $20.98 and a 40% Kennedy about $8.58 in melt value. Collectible dates and grades can be worth more.