Are half dollars worth anything?
Silver Half Dollars
Half dollars minted in 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. Their melt value is roughly $8 to $12 each, depending on the current silver price. Even heavily worn examples are worth saving for their silver.
From 1965 through 1970, half dollars were made of 40% silver. These are worth about $3 to $5 in silver value. The 1970-D half dollar is a key date because it was not released for circulation, but some were included in mint sets.
- 1964 and earlier: 90% silver
- 1965–1970: 40% silver
- 1970-D: key date
- Check for silver edge
Modern Half Dollars and Errors
Half dollars from 1971 to the present are copper-nickel clad and generally worth only 50 cents. However, some modern half dollars have errors or low mintages that make them collectible. For instance, the 1987-P and 1987-D half dollars were only issued in mint sets, so they are scarce in circulation.
Also, look for doubled dies and other striking errors. A 1974-D half dollar with a doubled die obverse can be worth $50 or more. Proof half dollars from any year are also worth more than face value.
- 1987-P/D: only in mint sets
- 1974-D doubled die
- Proof coins: higher value
- Check for off-center strikes
Common mistakes
- Assuming all half dollars are silver—only those dated 1970 and earlier contain silver.
- Spending older half dollars at face value without checking for key dates or errors.
- Ignoring the 40% silver content in 1965–1970 halves; they are still worth more than 50 cents.
