Half Dollar History & Info

The half dollar was authorized by the Act of April 2, 1792 and first minted in December of 1794.


1794-1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. Made of Silver.

1796-1807 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Made of Silver.

1807-1839 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Made of Silver.

1839-1891 Seated Liberty Half Dollar. Made of Silver.

1892-1915 Barber Half Dollar. Made of Silver. Also known as Liberty Head Half Dollar.

1916-1947 Walking Liberty Half. Made of Silver.

1948-1963 Franklin Half. Made of Silver. Benjamin Franklin on one side, Liberty Bell on other. Sometimes called Liberty Bell Half.

1964 Kennedy Half. Made of 90% Silver. President Kennedy on one side, Eagle on other.

1965-1970 Kennedy Half. Clad coin, 40% Silver clad to copper core. Same design as previous.

1971-Present Kennedy Half. Clad coin, copper core sandwiched with two layers of Nickel. SPECIAL ISSUE for bicentenniel in 1976. Some bicentenniels are Silver Clad. Mint mark is "S" on these.


Return to Coins page

Return to Metal Detector page