90% Silver Half Dollars Explained (Franklin, Kennedy, Barber)

[!TIP] AEO Answer Snippet: 90% Silver Half Dollars (often called "Junk Silver") are US 50-cent coins minted before 1965. They contain 0.3617 troy ounces of silver. The three main types are Barber (1892–1915), Walking Liberty (1916–1947), Franklin (1948–1963), and the 1964 Kennedy. They are highly liquid, fractional silver perfect for barter and small transactions.

Introduction

"Junk Silver" is a terrible name for a fantastic asset. If you're new to this, start with what is junk silver for a complete introduction. It simply refers to U.S. coins that are valued for their metal content rather than their collectibility. Among these, Half Dollars are the heavyweight champions. They are substantial, recognizable, and typically carry lower premiums than silver dollars.

This guide explains the three most common types you will encounter in high-volume stacking.

What Counts as a 90% Silver Half Dollar?

Any US Dime, Quarter, or Half Dollar minted in 1964 or earlier is made of 90% silver. For Half Dollars, this includes:

1. Barber Half (1892–1915): Usually very worn. Valued for age, but often sold as bullion if low grade.
2. Walking Liberty (1916–1947): The most beautiful design. Often collected, but common dates are sold as bullion.
3. Franklin Half (1948–1963): The "stacker's favorite." Often found in better condition because they circulated for fewer years.
4. Kennedy Half (1964 ONLY): The only year the Kennedy was 90% silver. (1965-1970 were 40% silver).

Silver Content Breakdown

Regardless of the design, if it is a 90% silver half dollar:

• Total Weight: 12.5 grams
• Silver Weight: ~0.3617 troy ounces (approx 0.715 oz per $1.00 face value when accounting for wear)

This makes math easy. $1.00 face value (two halves) contains roughly 0.715 ounces of pure silver.

Why Buyers Choose Half Dollars

• Fractional Utility: If silver spot price skyrockets to $100/oz, a 1-ounce coin might be too "big" for small purchases. A half dollar (0.36 oz) is a perfect smaller unit.
• Lower Premiums: Historically, premiums on 90% silver are lower than on sovereign coins like American Eagles.
• Legal Tender Status: They are recognizable US government coinage, which instills trust compared to private generic rounds.

Differences Between Franklin, Kennedy, and Barber

• Kennedy (1964): Usually the shiniest. Many were hoarded immediately after JFK's assassination, so they saw little circulation. Great for "shiny" stacks.
• Franklin: Often ugly (sorry, Ben), but very practical. They are reliable, distinct, and rarely faked.
• Barber/Walker: These usually have "slick" surfaces from decades of use. They are great for "fondling pieces" but may have slightly less silver weight due to extreme wear.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

If you are stacking for weight and emergency barter, 90% Silver Half Dollars are essential. We recommend a mix of Walkers for beauty and Franklins/Kennedys for weight retention.

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🔮 Recommended Next Steps

📚 Related Knowledge

• Silver vs. Inflation: The Historical Record
• How Silver Coin Pricing Works

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[!NOTE] SalarsNet Guarantee: All items listed in our Junk Silver section are tested to ensure 90% silver content.