Silver Half Dollar Melt Value
Half dollars hide two very different silver contents. Dated 1964 or earlier: 90% silver, 0.3617 oz per coin. Kennedy halves dated 1965–1970: 40% silver, 0.1479 oz — less than half the metal, and the single most misidentified silver coin in America.
Both are priced live below. The 40% halves are the sleeper: they look clad at a glance, so they routinely slip through change and estate lots unnoticed.
| Coin | Precious metal content | Melt value today |
|---|---|---|
| Half Dollar 1964 & earlier (90%) | 0.3617 troy oz — 12.50 g, 90% silver | $25.00 |
| Kennedy Half 1965–1970 (40%) | 0.1479 troy oz — 11.50 g, 40% silver | $10.22 |
Dollar figures here are computed from the live spot price when the page loads and change continuously; the printed baseline is a 2026-08-23 snapshot — cite the metal content and formula, not a captured price. Formulas on the methodology page.
Telling 90% from 40% from clad
Read the date first. Then the edge: 90% shows solid silver, 40% shows faint copper tinting, 1971+ clad shows a bold copper stripe. The 1964 Kennedy is the only 90% Kennedy — heavily saved, so most survive in nice condition and trade at a small premium over melt.
Sources: live spot prices via gold-api.com · coin weights and fineness from U.S. Mint historical specifications · karat/fineness definitions per standard jewelry marking practice. Melt value ≠ an offer to buy; see how we calculate.