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Archive for April, 2009

40% Silver Kennedy Half Dollars

April 3rd, 2009
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After only one year of production, the Kennedy Half Dollar saw its composition changed. The same year, the compositions of the dime and quarter were also changed to remove their silver content. Some silver was still retained for the composition of the Kennedy Half. The composition consisted of an outer layer composed of 80% copper and 20% nickel with a core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper. This yielded a net composition of 40% silver and 60% copper. This composition was used from 1965 until 1970, when the series was switched to the copper nickel clad composition. The 40% silver was used briefly once again for Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollars produced for collectors in 1976.

40% silver kennedy half dollar

40% Silver Kennedy Half Dollar Coin Specifications

Dates: 1965-1970
1976
Mints: Philadelphia (1965-1967)
Denver (1968-1970)
San Francisco (1976)
Composition: 40% silver
60% copper
Weight: 11.50 grams
0.37 ounces
Diameter: 30.61 mm
1.21 inches

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90% Silver Kennedy Half Dollars

April 2nd, 2009
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The Kennedy Half Dollar series was launched amidst the final year of 90% silver circulating US coinage. It represented an interesting one year composition for the series until the revival of the composition for later silver proof coins issued for collectors. The 1964 Kennedy Half had one of the higher mintages of the entire series as many were taken out of circulation due to the silver content or as momentos of the President Kennedy. Starting in 1992, the US Mint issued silver proof Kennedy Half Dollars which used the same coin specifications as the earlier 1964 coin. These silver proof coins were all minted at the San Francisco Mint.

90% silver kennedy half dollar

90% Silver Kennedy Half Dollar Coin Specifications

Dates: 1964
1992-present
Mints: Philadelphia (1964)
Denver (1964)
San Francisco (1992-present)
Composition: 90% silver
10% copper
Weight: 12.50 grams
0.40 ounces
Diameter: 30.61 mm
1.21 inches

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