United States Fifty-Cent or Half Dollar (part 2)

(1892 - Date)

The half dollar, authorized by the Act of April 2, 1792, was not minted until December 1794.  The early types of this series have been extensively collected by die varieties, of which many exist for most dates.  In the early years each individual die was hand made.

When the half dollar was first issued, its weight was 208 grains and its fineness .8924.  This standard was not changed until 1837, when the law of January 18. 1837, specified 206 1/2 grains, .900 fine.  This fineness continued in use untill 1965.

Barber Type (1892 - 1915)

The Barber half dollar is one of the few United States series that took on the designers name Charles E. Barber.  Other mentionable are Morgan, Saint-Gaudens and Gobrecht.  Composition .900 silver .100 copper.

Walking Liberty (1916 - 1947)

This type designed by Adolph A. Weinman, who monogram AAW, appears under the tips of the wing feathers.  On the 1916 coins and some of the 1917 coins the mintmark is located on the obverse below the motto.  in mid 1917 the mintmark was moved to the reverse to the left of the eagles left claw near the rim. Composition .900 silver .100 copper.

Franklin Half (1948 - 1963)

The Benjamin Franklin half dollar and the roosevelt dime were both designed by John R. Sinnock, whos initials appear below the shoulder.  The Liberty Bell is similar to that used by Sinnock on the 1926 Sesquicentennial Commemorative half dollar modeled from a sketch by John Frederick Lewis.  Composition .900 silver .100 copper.

Kennedy Half (1964 - Date)

The Kennedy half dollar design introduced in 1964 to commemorate a great United States President.  The 1964 half dollar was coined using the specifications of the previous series of half dollars, 90% (.900) silver and 10% (.100) copper.   In 1965 to 1970 the composition only used 40% silver and layered copper-nickel.  From 1971 to the present, the practice of clad coining was used.

In an open contest for the selection of suitable designs for the special Bicentennial reverses of the quarter, half dollar and dollar, Seth G. Huntington's winning entry was featured on the half dollar.  It shows Independence Hall in Philadelphia as the center device.  The obverse was unchanged except for the dual dating 1776-1976.  They were the only coins struck during 1975 and 1976 and were used for general circulation as well as being included in Proof and Uncirculated sets for 1975 and 1976.

For now the Kennedy half dollar is still in production.  As of 2002 the Kennedy half dollar is no longer minted for circulation but coined for Proof and Mint sets and can only be obtained by contacting the U.S. Mint.  It is still possible to complete regular a issue set of Kennedy Half Dollars dated 1964 to 2001 by purchasing rolls or looses half dollars from your locl bank.  Simply visit your local coin shop to purchase examples of 2002 top present.

Look for part 1 of my Half Dollar Identification Guide to view information on Half Dollars dating prior to 1892.

Check out and look for my other Identification Guides, on other United States Mint denominations.  Half-Cent, Large Cent, Small Cent, 2,3&20 Cents, Half-Dimes, Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, Half Dollars....   Silver and Gold Coins....    I think you get the picture.  Have fun and enjoy the hobby of collecting coins.