Obverse: identify the front

Kennedy faces left beneath LIBERTY. IN GOD WE TRUST sits beneath the portrait, and the date is at the bottom. The pictured 1967 piece is a representative of this composition period. Its portrait resembles the earlier silver type, making the readable year more useful than color alone.

Reverse: identify the back

The presidential-seal eagle, shield, olive branch and arrows sit within a circle of stars. The outer legend reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR. Similar devices appear on Kennedy halves of other compositions; this reverse confirms the denomination, not the silver fraction on its own.

History and purpose

After the original 1964 .900 silver issue, the 1965–1970 group used a silver-clad construction. Historical legislation specified silver-rich outer layers and a silver/copper core. Overall standard content is 4.6 g silver in an 11.5 g coin. Ordinary copper-nickel halves followed in 1971.

How to identify this variant

Read the year first, then the denomination and both designs. Compare nominal 11.5 g mass, approximately 30.6 mm diameter and a reeded edge. Keep this date group separate from 1964 halves, whose nominal fine silver is 11.25 g. An edge photograph can support examination but cannot alone authenticate composition.

Understanding its metal content

Calculate 11.5 g × 0.4 = 4.6 g silver, then divide by 31.1034768 g per troy ounce. This is nominal metal content for a correctly identified genuine coin at standard weight, not an assay. Quantity totals use this nominal calculation; wear, damage and identification errors can affect an actual lot.

The 1965 statute specified .800 silver outer alloy and a silver/copper core arranged to yield 4.6 g silver plus 6.9 g copper overall. The .400 value in this calculation describes the complete coin, not a uniform alloy through every layer.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

The 1965–1970 range is a composition boundary, not a statement that every issue entered general circulation. The reference identifies 1970-D as a set-only issue. Special Mint Set and proof finishes also deserve separate identification. This record does not automatically apply to dual-dated 1776–1976 collector silver halves.

Melt value versus collector value

Keep original sets, holders and unusually well-preserved coins intact. A 1970-D or a packaged special finish should not lose its identifying context when a group is counted. The nominal silver total does not grade the coin, identify a finish or establish what a collector or buyer will pay.

Authenticity and condition

Use the complete year, mint mark if present, reverse, edge and physical properties together. Do not assume a bright Kennedy half is .900 silver or that a darker edge proves a base-metal coin. Resolve contradictory evidence through evaluation without polishing, cutting or destructive tests.

Selling this coin

Separate 1965–1970 halves from 1964 and later coins and describe any original set packaging. Provide a readable date photo and the reverse. The calculator uses 4.6 g nominal fine silver per correctly classified coin; wear and mistaken composition can change the silver actually present.

Sources and calculation methodology

The issuer reference documents the historical design or date distinction stated here. The separate specification record supports mass, silver fraction, diameter and edge. Fine-silver arithmetic uses fixed decimals without copying reference-site prices or rounded ounce totals. Photograph identity and reuse permission are reviewed separately. No approved live price feed is configured, so dollar melt values remain unavailable. A metal-content total, a collector assessment and an accepted offer are different results.

Common questions

References

• U.S. Mint: historical denomination and design context — identity; Kennedy design; ordinary half-dollar silver removed in 1971 (checked 2026-10-10)

Issue-year references

• PCGS: silver-clad Kennedy half-dollar issue list

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-10. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

1964 Kennedy Half Dollar — 90% Silver

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

United States • 90% silver, 10% copper

Issue years: 1964

Fine silver: 0.361696 troy oz

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