The most common half dollar coin in circulation today is the Kennedy half dollar . It has been minted since 1964 and features the following:
- A profile portrait of President John F. Kennedy, [according to the U.S. Mint Coin Classroom].
- The word “LIBERTY” around the top rim.
- The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” below Kennedy’s portrait.
- The date is positioned at the bottom of the coin.
- A design based on the Presidential Seal, featuring a heraldic eagle with a shield on its chest.
- The eagle holds an olive branch in its left talon (symbolizing peace) and a bundle of 13 arrows in its right talon (representing war).
- A ring of 50 stars, representing the 50 states, surrounds the central design.
- The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” are inscribed around the upper rim, and “HALF DOLLAR” is on the lower rim.
- Kennedy half dollars minted for general circulation since 1971 are made of copper-nickel clad, consisting of an inner core of pure copper and outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
- They are 1.205 inches (30.61 millimeters) in diameter and 0.085 in (2.16 mm) in thickness.
- The edge is reeded (has grooves).
It’s important to note that while half dollars are still minted, they are primarily produced for annual coin sets and other numismatic products rather than for general circulation, [according to the U.S. Mint] . You might still occasionally find them in circulation, but they are less common than other denominations.
Can you still get half dollar coins from the bank?
Good point! Presently, collector half dollars can be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint, and circulated half dollars minted from 1971 to 2001 are generally available at most American banks and credit unions. Beginning in 2021, half dollars were again produced for general circulation.