Silver Half Dollar Value Today
Half dollar melt values
| Coin | Silver | ASW (ozt) | Melt / coin | Melt / $1 face | Melt / roll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy 1964 / Franklin / Walking Liberty half (90%)1916–1964 | 90% | 0.36169 | $19.50 | $39.00 | $390.04 (20 × $10 face) |
| Kennedy half dollar 1965–1970 (40%)1965–1970 | 40% | 0.14792 | $7.98 | $15.95 | $159.51 (20 × $10 face) |
Melt (metal) value only. Key dates, rare mint marks, proofs and high-grade coins can be worth much more than their silver.
Silver content by half dollar type
- Barber half (1892–1915): 90% silver, 12.5 g, 0.36169 ozt.
- Walking Liberty half (1916–1947): 90% silver, 12.5 g, 0.36169 ozt.
- Franklin half (1948–1963): 90% silver, 12.5 g, 0.36169 ozt.
- Kennedy half 1964: 90% silver, 12.5 g, 0.36169 ozt.
- Kennedy half 1965–1970: 40% silver clad, 11.5 g, 0.14792 ozt.
- Kennedy half 1971 onward: copper-nickel clad, 11.34 g, no silver (except collector issues).
For the 90% coins: 12.5 g × 0.90 = 11.25 g silver ÷ 31.1035 = 0.36169 ozt. The 40% coins have a silver-rich outer layer bonded to a lower-silver core, totaling 0.14792 ozt.
The 1964 Kennedy half dollar
The Kennedy half was introduced in 1964, months after President Kennedy's assassination, and that first year was struck in 90% silver. Huge mintages mean common 1964 and 1964-D halves usually sell near melt — today $19.50 each. Proof 1964 halves and those with the scarce "accented hair" variety carry collector premiums. From 1965 the silver content was cut to 40%, and from 1971 silver was removed from circulating halves entirely.
Worked example: a roll of halves
A $10 roll of twenty 90% halves contains 20 × 0.36169 = 7.2338 ozt, worth $390.04 at $53.92/oz. A roll of twenty 40% Kennedy halves contains 20 × 0.14792 = 2.9584 ozt, or $159.51. That is why the two must always be counted separately — mixing a 40% half into a 90% count overstates its silver by more than double.
How to tell 90%, 40% and clad halves apart
Start with the date: 1964 or earlier is 90%, 1965–1970 is 40%, 1971 and later is clad unless it is a collector issue. On the edge, 90% halves are solid silver; 40% halves look silvery but slightly darker on the edge; clad halves show a clear copper stripe. Weight separates them too: 12.5 g for 90%, 11.5 g for 40% and 11.34 g for clad.
Selling silver half dollars
90% halves are traded as junk silver, often quoted per $1 face value; 40% halves are quoted separately at a lower rate. Walking Liberty halves in good condition and better-date Franklins frequently sell above melt. Sort by type and date before you get quotes. For other coins see the silver coin melt value calculator or follow the silver price today.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a silver half dollar worth?
A 90% silver half dollar dated 1964 or earlier contains 0.36169 troy oz of silver, so its melt value is 0.36169 times the live silver spot price. Rare dates and high grades can be worth more.
What is a 1964 Kennedy half dollar worth?
The 1964 Kennedy half is 90% silver with 0.36169 troy oz of silver. Common circulated 1964 and 1964-D halves usually trade near melt value; proofs and high-grade coins can be worth more.
Are 1965 to 1970 Kennedy half dollars silver?
Yes, but only 40% silver. Kennedy halves dated 1965 through 1970 contain 0.14792 troy oz of silver each, about 41% of the silver in a 1964 half dollar.
Do Kennedy half dollars after 1970 have silver?
Circulating Kennedy halves from 1971 onward are copper-nickel clad with no silver. The 1976-S bicentennial collector halves are 40% silver, and silver proof sets contain silver halves.
Are Franklin and Walking Liberty halves silver?
Yes. Walking Liberty halves (1916–1947) and Franklin halves (1948–1963) are 90% silver and contain 0.36169 troy oz each, the same as a 1964 Kennedy.
How much is a roll of silver half dollars worth?
A roll holds 20 half dollars, $10 face value. A roll of 90% halves contains 7.2338 troy oz of silver, and a roll of 40% Kennedy halves contains 2.9584 troy oz. Multiply by spot for melt value.