CIRCULATING SILVER COINAGE

With the exception of the Lincoln cent, all of our current designs, from the Jefferson nickel through the Kennedy half, have been struck in various alloys of silver. The Jefferson nickel was struck in an alloy containing 35 percent silver from 1942 through 1945, while dimes through halves were struck in 90 percent silver from their inceptions through pieces dated 1964. Kennedy halves made for circulation from 1965–1969 contained an alloy of 40 percent silver (pieces struck in 1970 were also 40 percent silver but only available in government issued collector sets, and are worth a considerable premium but are not apt to be found in circulation).

Of all of these issues, the one you are most apt to find is the Kennedy half in 90 percent and 40 percent silver. The Kennedy half was a very special coin to many Americans in the 1960s and even later years and many were kept as mementoes of the fallen president. Even today, the Kennedy half is hoarded for no particular reason other than it is seldom seen. Of course, most hoarders eventually cash in and it is not infrequent for rolls of half dollars to be taken to the bank and exchanged for cash. Because many folks forget that the first few issues were silver, they often get mixed in with the later “clad” date pieces. Even the earlier Franklin halves sometimes get mixed into these rolls.

While you may encounter such rolls at any time, the best time to look is just before and after Christmas when folks need extra cash to go shopping.