Checking Kennedy Half-Dollar & Eisenhower Dollar for Silver Content

Only two coins in American history were ever struck with 40% silver content: the Kennedy 1/2 dollar and the Eisenhower $1.

The Kennedy Half Dollar was introduced in 1964 and ONLY that year (1964) is 90% silver, just like all dimes, quarters, half, and One Dollar coins were from 1964 and before.

1. As a tribute to President Kennedy, his “new” coin was note debased (lowered in value) in 1965. In 1964, the first year of the Kennedy it was 90% silver like all dimes, quarters, and halves. But from 1965 to 1970 (only) the Kennedy .50 cent piece was made in 40% silver. There could be some proof sets (A Proof coin is a coin struck using a unique, high-quality minting process to produce coins, especially for collectors.) Some special sets, or commemorative coins, FROM THE U.S. MINT may have silver coins in them after 1965 that are 40-90%. Look them up on Google.

2. The Eisenhower Dollar was conceived by the US Mint in 1969 and finally put into production in 1971. While the Eisenhower Dollar was issued from 1971 to 1978, only certain ones were 40% silver. These are issued by the mint in Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof. These silver ones (40%) were minted only from 1971 to 1976. And they were packaged by the U.S. Mint in special packaging. Occasionally one will find a 40% Eisenhower dollar that has been taken out of the special packaging but it will look like SILVER, and not like nickel. If unsure, don’t pay for silver. Again, Google the year and mint mark for certainty.

FROM THIS POINT FORWARD EVERY KENNEDY MUST BE LOOKED AT FOR THE DATE. 1964 ARE 90% SILVER AND 1965 TO 1970 ARE 40% SILVER.

I have been finding 40% Kennedys in with 90% silver as recently as last week. I have also found non-silver Kennedys in with the 40% ones.

Every Kennedy must have the date inspected.

All 40% coins need to be put in a separate bag that is marked “40%” so we know you bought them as 40%. If the coins are still in the Mint Packaging, note that you bought as 40% but don’t remove them from the original packaging.