The 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars are among the most sought after of all 90% silver coins. These half dollars, the first to feature the now-familiar portrait of President John F. Kennedy, have been beloved as souvenirs and vessels of silver bullion among generations of Americans.
Why was the silver content of the half dollar reduced?
The price of silver left the continued production of precious metal coinage financially infeasible. So, the U.S. Mint changed the composition of the dime and quarter to a copper-nickel clad format while reducing the silver content of the half dollar to 40% beginning in 1965.
Why are there still half dollars in vending machines?
Many people saved Kennedy half dollars as a memento of Pres. Kennedy. Also, when the silver was removed from the dime and quarter, the half still had 40% silver, so a lot of people saved the halves. Plus, most vending machines don’t accept half dollars.
