U.S. 40% clad half-dollars were minted only for the years 1965-1969. They should not be confused with 1964-dated half-dollars that are 90% silver and bear the same image of President Kennedy. Each clad half-dollar contains 0.1479 ounce silver, whereas the silver content of a 1964 Kennedy half-dollar is 0.36169 ounce.
What is the difference between clad and silver?
Clad coins have multiple layers of a silver-colored, nickel-copper alloy. A clad coin is essentially a piece of copper sandwiched between two layers of nickel and zinc. So, while a clad coin may look shiny and silvery, it doesn’t contain an ounce of silver!
How do you tell if a coin is silver with a magnet?
If you place a strong, rare-earth magnet called a Neodymium magnet on a silver coin or bar, it should not easily stick to it. If you are testing bars, you can angle one at 45 degrees and let the magnet slide down. It should slide down very slowly. If it sticks or it slides very quickly, it is not silver.
When did the silver clad half dollar go into circulation?
Still, the government did make an effort to get these coins into the stream of commerce and it’s only in recent years that the elevated prices of precious metals have given us a fuller appreciation and understanding of them. 1965-dated silver-clad half dollars entered circulation in the spring of ’65.
What kind of silver is in a half dollar?
Half dollars made from 1965 through 1970 are composed of two outer layers containing 80% silver and 20% copper with an inner core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper (net composition: 40% silver and 60% copper). Coins minted in 1971 and beyond have outer layers composed of 75% copper…
How many stars are above the half dollar?
Rays, clouds, stars and E PLURIBUS UNUM on a ribbon is above the eagle. A ring of 50 stars surrounds. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and HALF DOLLAR is below. Bicentennial: Front view of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Why was there a need to replace the Franklin half dollar?
After careful consideration, the half dollar was selected to receive the new portrait of the late president. Congressional authorization was necessary to replace the Franklin half dollar because it was only minted for sixteen years, well short of the mandatory twenty-five-year requirement before an existing coin’s design can be replaced.
