The composition of United States half-dollar coins produced in 1967 is notable for its deviation from earlier silver coinage. Instead of the 90% silver alloy found in previous years, these coins are composed of a clad metal. This clad composition consists of an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper bonded to a core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper. This results in a silver percentage significantly lower than pre-1965 half-dollars.
The shift in metallic composition was a direct response to escalating silver prices and a growing coin shortage. Retaining some silver content allowed the government to maintain a connection to the tradition of precious metal coinage, while the reduced percentage addressed economic pressures. This change marked a significant transition in US coinage history and impacted the intrinsic value of the half-dollar.