Are half dollars made of silver? This question often arises among coin collectors and history enthusiasts. The answer to this question is not straightforward, as it depends on the specific year and series of the half dollar in question. Let’s delve into the history and composition of half dollars to understand the answer to this intriguing question.
Half dollars have been a part of American currency since 1794, when the first half dollar was minted. Initially, these coins were indeed made of silver, as they were part of the silver coinage series. The composition of the early half dollars was 90% silver and 10% copper, known as the .900 fine silver content.
However, the composition of half dollars began to change in the early 20th century. In 1916, the Mint introduced the Walking Liberty half dollar, which continued to be made of 90% silver until 1931. The Walking Liberty half dollar was a popular coin, and its silver content made it a valuable collectible.
In 1931, the Mint made a significant change to the composition of half dollars. Due to the rising cost of silver and the economic pressures of the Great Depression, the Mint decided to reduce the silver content of half dollars. The new composition was 40% silver and 60% copper, known as the .400 fine silver content.
This change continued until 1970, when the Mint stopped producing half dollars with any silver content. Instead, they began to mint half dollars made entirely of copper-nickel clad, which is a combination of copper and nickel. This change was primarily driven by the continued rise in the price of silver and the Mint’s desire to reduce the cost of producing coins.
So, to answer the question, “Are half dollars made of silver?” the answer is that some half dollars were made of silver, but not all. Early half dollars, such as the Walking Liberty series, were made of 90% silver, while later half dollars were made of 40% silver and eventually, no silver at all. The transition from silver to clad half dollars reflects the changing economic and political landscape of the United States during the 20th century.
