Kennedy half dollar (1965–1970) melt value

Kennedy half dollars from 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver. Here's what the silver inside is worth at today's live price.

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Kennedy half dollars by year

YearsCompositionMelt value
196490% silver—
1965–197040% silver—
1971–presentCopper-nickel clad (no silver)Face value only

Related coins

All coins →
Washington quarter (1932–1964)90% silver—Roosevelt dime (1946–1964)90% silver—Kennedy half dollar (1964)90% silver—Morgan dollar (1878–1921)90% silver—

Common questions

How do I know if my kennedy half dollar is silver?

Check the date: 1965–1970. The edge shows a faint copper line between silver-colored layers.

Why does a dealer pay less than melt value?

Dealers need room to cover refining, shipping and resale costs, so most pay a percentage of melt value for common-date coins.

What is "junk silver"?

Common-date 90% silver coins that are bought and sold for their silver content rather than their collector value.

Is it legal to melt coins?

US rules prohibit melting one-cent and five-cent coins. That rule does not cover dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars or bullion coins. Most people sell coins whole to a dealer rather than melting them.