Half dollar coins containing silver were primarily produced prior to 1965. The composition of these coins was 90% silver and 10% copper. Certain half dollars minted between 1965 and 1970 also contain silver, specifically 40% silver, with the remainder being copper.
The presence of silver in coinage contributed to the intrinsic value of the coins, reflecting the market price of silver itself. This characteristic makes these coins attractive to collectors and investors. Historically, the removal of silver from circulating coinage was driven by rising silver prices and the desire to stabilize the value of currency for general circulation.