$100 FV Silver Half Dollars, $100 FV

The 90% Silver Half Dollars, often referred to as "junk silver," were minted for circulation in the United States until 1964. These coins are popular among collectors and investors for their silver content and historical value. They include the Liberty Walking, Franklin, and Kennedy designs.

Design and Specifications

• Obverse (front): Varies by design. The Liberty Walking features Lady Liberty striding forward, the Franklin depicts a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, and the Kennedy shows a profile of President John F. Kennedy.
• Reverse (back): The Liberty Walking includes an eagle, the Franklin shows the Liberty Bell, and the Kennedy has the Presidential Seal.
• Weight: 12.5 grams
• Silver Content: 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver per coin
• Fineness: 90% silver (0.900 fineness)

Mint Marks and Varieties

The 90% Silver Half Dollars were minted at several U.S. Mints, with mint marks indicating the place of origin. The mint mark location varies by design:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark): Philadelphia produced a significant number of these coins, especially during earlier years.
• Denver ('D'): Often produced high quantities, particularly during the Franklin and Kennedy series.
• San Francisco ('S'): Somewhat less common than Denver, particularly valuable in certain years due to lower mintages.

Collectible Varieties

• Liberty Walking (1916-1947): Early dates, especially those from the Denver and San Francisco Mints, are more valuable.
• Franklin (1948-1963): Certain years like 1949 and 1955 are key dates, with lower mintage numbers making them more collectible.
• Kennedy (1964): Only minted in 1964 in 90% silver for regular circulation. These coins are often sought after for their historical significance.

Common Dates vs. Rare Dates

Common dates include most of the Philadelphia mintages from the later years of the Liberty Walking series and many of the Franklin half dollars. These often trade closer to their silver content value.

Rare Dates and Varieties

Key dates within the Liberty Walking series include the 1916-S, 1921, and 1938-D, which have lower mintages and are highly sought after. The Franklin series sees the 1949-S and 1955 as key dates due to their scarcity.

Various Grades and Values

The value of these 90% Silver Half Dollars largely depends on their condition (grade), rarity, and mint mark. Here is a general estimate of the value for common-date coins:

• Good (G): $10-15
• Fine (F): $15-20
• Extremely Fine (XF): $20-25
• About Uncirculated (AU): $25-30
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU/MS): $30-50

Rare mint marks and key dates can command significantly higher prices, often well above their silver content value.

The 90% Silver Half Dollars are an important part of U.S. numismatic history, offering both intrinsic silver value and collectible interest. Key dates from the Liberty Walking and Franklin series, as well as the 1964 Kennedy, are particularly valuable. As with many collectible coins, condition and rarity significantly affect their market price.