This composition persisted throughout designs until the Coinage Act of 1965, which lowered the amount of silver in the half dollar to 40%. The United States introduced the first half dollar in 1794, consisting of 90% silver and 10% copper. Assorted designs and types of half dollars have been minted over the centuries, each with unique characteristics. One alluring aspect of the half dollar is silver content. A common question about these unique coins is “What half dollars are silver?” While silver half dollars are not standard in our wallets today, these coins have a rich and storied past that has captured the imagination of collectors, historians, and numismatists alike. Half dollars hold a special place in American coinage for their historic role in everyday commerce and their significance and unique compositions.
