The half dollar is a coin in the United States currency worth 50 cents, or half of a dollar . It is the largest U.S. coin in circulation, measuring 1.2 inches (30.61 millimeters) in diameter and 0.085 inches (2.16 mm) in thickness. This makes it twice the weight of a quarter.
Here’s a breakdown of the key characteristics of the half dollar:
- The current half dollar, known as the Kennedy Half Dollar, features the profile of President John F. Kennedy on the obverse (heads) side.
- The reverse (tails) side depicts a modified Presidential Seal, showcasing an eagle with a shield, holding an olive branch (representing peace) and 13 arrows (representing war). A ring of 50 stars surrounds the design, symbolizing the 50 states.
- The initials of the designers are present on the coin: “GR” for Gilroy Roberts (obverse) and “FG” for Frank Gasparro (reverse).
- The U.S. Mint first produced half dollars in 1794.
- The design has changed several times throughout history, featuring various depictions of Liberty before adopting Benjamin Franklin’s portrait in 1948.
- The Kennedy Half Dollar was introduced in 1964 to honor President Kennedy after his assassination.
- For the Bicentennial celebration in 1975 and 1976, a temporary reverse featuring Independence Hall in Philadelphia was used.
- Initially, Kennedy half dollars (1964) were made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
- Due to rising silver prices, the silver content was reduced to 40% (silver-clad with a copper core) from 1965 to 1970.
- Since 1971, most circulating half dollars are copper-nickel clad (75% copper and 25% nickel outer layers bonded to a pure copper core).
- Special silver collector’s editions have been made with 90% silver and more recently with 99.9% silver.
- Although produced in large quantities until 2001, half dollars became less common in everyday transactions. This was attributed to several factors including Americans keeping them as mementos and rising silver prices leading to hoarding.
- From 2002 to 2020, half dollars were minted primarily for collectors.
- However, in 2021, the Mint resumed production of half dollars for general circulation. Modern-date half dollars can be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint or may be available through banks and credit unions.
Can you still pay with a half dollar coin?
Great question! Half dollar and $1 coins are usually produced as collectibles. However, they may still be ordered by the Federal Reserve for circulation and used as legal tender.