Semi-Silver Halves
You look at your change, and suddenly notice that rather large coin that you don't get too often. It can only be a half-dollar, which is a neat find. Excited, you hold it up and look at the date. Could it be that coveted silver 1964? You see the first three numbers- "1", "9", and "6", and cover up the last to build tension. As you lift your finger, your heart sinks; it's not a "4". Oh, well, maybe next time, you figure, and save it for the next tollbooth.
But wait! Don't get rid of it just yet. That coin is in fact silver! While it's not 90%, or coin silver, like the
1964 Kennedy, it's silver nonetheless. Yes, the 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968-D, and 1969-D half-dollars were all 40% silver. In 1964, the government decided that the production of silver coins was becoming far too expensive, and the switch to cupro-nickel clad was made. But the mint was not totally ready to ditch silver. They figured that perhaps it would make sense to keep silver in higher-denomination coins, but not as much. Seeing as how there was no dollar coin, the half-dollar got this makeover.Interestingly enough, the new
40% silver coin was in fact a sort of clad coin, and is called "silver clad". The outer layer of these consists of 80% silver and 20% copper, while the inner core is 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper. If you look at the edge of one of these coins and compare it to that of a 90% silver coin, it is easy to see the difference, and that there truly is an inner core. It's even easier to see this when a copper clad coin is compared to the two, and a hint of orange can be seen in the 40% silver halves.In 1970, the government decided it wanted to completely change over to the copper clad coins like the quarter and dime. In an effort to help the public adjust, coins dated 1970-D, the only non-proof coins from 1970, were also 40% silver, but were only released in mint sets. There are two million of these. Also, there were a couple of goofs regarding these coins. Rare pieces dated 1971-D and 1977-D were mistakenly made as silver clad coins.
Silver clad coins from the sixties are worth $1.75 uncirculated, while the 1970-D's are worth $10. It is assumed that the 1971-D and 1977-D errors are worth a substantial amount.
-Gee
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