Little Known Coins: The Halves
Halves are actually half-dollars which are also known as fifty-cent pieces. They may not be popular today, and in fact, little information about them exists and collectors rarely get excited over them. However, halves are actually more functional than decorative.
They have actually been in circulation since 1794 when the US Mint started. However, they have been not so popular since their silver content was changed to copper and nickel. The United States was forced to change the metal content because of the rising value of silver in the 1960s.
The most famous profile to grace the head of the half-dollar was President John F. Kennedy which was first minted in 1964. It contained 90% silver so it was considered very valuable. It lost its appeal when President Kennedy was assassinated but a lot of coin collectors gathered them knowing their value might increase. Despite the lack of silver, the US Mint still produced Kennedys with 40% silver in them until 1970.
The halves we now know today still features President Kennedy and the Presidential Seal on the reverse, however, they are now made purely of copper and nickel. They may not be very well-liked with the public but coin collectors love them.
They have actually been in circulation since 1794 when the US Mint started. However, they have been not so popular since their silver content was changed to copper and nickel. The United States was forced to change the metal content because of the rising value of silver in the 1960s.
The most famous profile to grace the head of the half-dollar was President John F. Kennedy which was first minted in 1964. It contained 90% silver so it was considered very valuable. It lost its appeal when President Kennedy was assassinated but a lot of coin collectors gathered them knowing their value might increase. Despite the lack of silver, the US Mint still produced Kennedys with 40% silver in them until 1970.
The halves we now know today still features President Kennedy and the Presidential Seal on the reverse, however, they are now made purely of copper and nickel. They may not be very well-liked with the public but coin collectors love them.
