Which Kennedy Half Dollars Are Silver? 1964, 40% Silver, and Clad
1964 Kennedy halves are 90% silver, 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver, and later ones are clad. Here's how to tell them apart and what to look for.
Kennedy half dollars are some of the most saved coins in America. People put them away after President Kennedy’s death in 1963, and many families still have a few in a drawer. But not all Kennedy halves are the same. Some have a lot of silver, some have a little, and most have none.
The Three Kinds of Kennedy Halves
1964: 90% Silver
The first Kennedy half dollars, dated 1964, were made of 90% silver and 10% copper, the same as earlier dimes, quarters, and halves. Each one contains about 0.36 troy ounces of silver. Huge numbers were made and saved, so worn ones trade mostly for their silver value.
1965 to 1970: 40% Silver
When the Mint removed silver from dimes and quarters in 1965, it kept some in the half dollar. From 1965 to 1970, Kennedy halves were made with outer layers of 80% silver bonded to a core of about 21% silver, for a total of 40% silver. Each contains about 0.15 troy ounces of silver.
The 1970-D half is a special case: it was only sold in mint sets, not released for circulation, so it’s scarcer than the other 40% dates.
1971 and Later: Copper-Nickel Clad
Starting in 1971, half dollars for circulation contain no silver. They have the same copper-nickel layers over a copper core as modern quarters. Ordinary clad halves are worth face value unless they’re in exceptional condition or are a scarce variety.
A Few Special Cases
- Bicentennial halves (dated 1776-1976): Most are clad and worth face value (see my Bicentennial coin guide). The Mint also made 40% silver versions with an S mint mark, sold in special collector sets.
- Silver proof halves: Kennedy halves in silver proof sets from 1992 on are silver.
- 1964 Special Strikes and other rarities: A few unusual 1964 halves exist, but they’re rare enough that most people will never see one.
How to Tell Them Apart Quickly
- Check the date. 1964 means 90% silver. 1965 to 1970 means 40% silver.
- Look at the edge. A 1964 half has a solid silver edge. A 40% silver half has a faint, light-gray stripe. A clad half has an obvious copper stripe.
- Check the weight, if you have a gram scale. A 1964 half weighs 12.5 grams. A 40% half weighs 11.5 grams. A clad half weighs about 11.34 grams.
Don’t Clean Them
Kennedy halves are often a little dull or toned from years in a drawer. Leave them that way. Polishing doesn’t help the silver value, and it ruins any collector value.
For more on how silver coins are valued, see my junk silver guide. The halves that came before Kennedy, the Franklin and Walking Liberty, are all 90% silver.
The Bottom Line
1964 Kennedy halves are 90% silver, 1965 to 1970 halves are 40% silver, and halves from 1971 on are clad, except for special silver collector versions. Check the date and the edge, and you’ll know what you have in seconds.
Have a stash of half dollars? JoCo Coin Shop offers honest, no-obligation appraisals across the Kansas City area. Contact me by phone, text, or email to get started.
