The 1964 Kennedy half-dollar contains 90% silver and 10% copper. The total silver weight is approximately 0.3617 troy ounces (11.25 grams). This high silver content makes it a valuable coin for collectors and those interested in precious metal content.
The decision to use a 90% silver composition for the 1964 Kennedy half-dollar stems from a historical context where silver coinage was commonplace. The intrinsic value of the silver provided a tangible backing to the coin’s face value. This composition distinguishes it from subsequent Kennedy half-dollars, which were produced with reduced silver content or clad compositions due to rising silver prices.