Up until the end of 1964, U.S. half dollars were made primarily of silver. Due to the silver content, those half dollars still have an intrinsic value in addition to the value of being old and relatively rare. Individuals seeking to purchase silver half dollars minted from 1948 through 1964 can choose between the two different designs used by the U.S. Mint during that time period.
Kennedy half dollar
Minting of the Kennedy half dollar began in 1964 to commemorate the earlier assassination of President Kennedy in 1963. The 1964 Kennedy half dollar was, however, the last U.S. half dollar to contain 90 percent silver. Due to the popularity of the commemorative coin, a huge quantity was minted to meet public demand.
Roughly 430 million Kennedy half dollars were minted in 1964. Despite the large quantity, many of the 1964 half dollars were hoarded as collectibles. As a result, most of the coins have circulated relatively little and remain in very good condition. The 1965 Kennedy half dollar minted in the following year contained a copper core with only a coating of silver.
Franklin half dollar
For a period preceding 1964, the U.S. half dollar featured the image of Benjamin Franklin. The Franklin half dollar was minted from 1948 through 1963. All of the Franklin half dollars contain 90 percent silver. In the entire period from 1948 through 1963, roughly 465 million Franklin half dollars were minted. Because they were widely circulated, Franklin half dollars are more likely to exhibit signs of wear.
In addition to the specific year of production, many coins are stamped with a single letter to designate the city in which they were minted. The most common mint marks are the letter D for Denver, S for San Francisco, and P for Philadelphia. Older coins may have additional value due to low production levels at certain mints during some years.
Several Franklin half dollars appraise at higher prices. The following dates and mint marks are some of the rarer Franklin half dollars:
The current market price for silver is an underlying factor affecting the values of silver coins in general. Relatively common silver coins may be purchased in quantity as an investment. On the other hand, rare coins are valued mostly on their scarcity. Contact a coin dealer (like Beaverton Coin & Currency) for more information about purchasing coins for their silver value or for their historical significance.
Share11 November 2015
When you send your kid off to college, you know that there will be a time that he or she needs a little extra cash. The extra cash could be to pay for car repairs, books that are needed or maybe even medical treatment. Are you prepared to send your college student money when he or she needs it? How do you prepare for such an instance? Do you use credit cards that you can reload money to when it is gone? Do you use cash wiring services? This blog will show you what you can do to ensure your college student can receive funds quickly and easily.