When did they stop putting silver in half dollars? This question often piques the interest of coin collectors and history enthusiasts alike. The answer to this question takes us back to the late 1960s, a time when the United States Mint made a significant change in the composition of its half-dollar coins.
The practice of using silver in half-dollar coins began in 1794, when the first half-dollar was minted. For over a century, these coins were made of 90% silver and 10% copper, known as the “silver standard.” This composition made the half-dollar a valuable collectible item, as well as a circulating coin.
However, as the cost of silver rose in the 1960s, the U.S. government faced a dilemma. The rising silver prices made it increasingly expensive to mint half-dollar coins, and the coins were no longer worth their face value in silver content. To address this issue, the government decided to phase out the silver content in half-dollar coins.
The first step in this process was the issuance of the 1965 silver-clad half-dollar, which had a silver core but was clad in a copper-nickel alloy. This coin was still considered legal tender and could be used for transactions. However, the government continued to face pressure to reduce the silver content further.
In 1971, the U.S. Mint introduced the “clad” half-dollar, which was entirely made of a copper-nickel alloy. This coin had no silver content, and its composition was similar to the quarters and dimes of the time. The decision to eliminate silver from half-dollars was met with mixed reactions from the public and coin collectors, as many cherished the tradition of silver coins.
The last silver half-dollar was minted in 1970, and the last year that the U.S. Mint produced half-dollars was 1976. Although the government continued to mint half-dollars for a few more years, these coins were not circulated and were primarily sold as collectors’ items.
In conclusion, the U.S. Mint stopped putting silver in half-dollars in 1971, marking the end of an era for these coins. The change in composition reflected the evolving economic landscape and the need for the government to manage the cost of minting coins. Today, silver half-dollars are highly sought after by collectors, and their rarity makes them valuable pieces of American numismatic history.
