Franklin half dollars were issued from 1948 through 1963, according to the Gainesville Coins website. They were the last U.S. half dollar series struck entirely in 90% silver.

That's also more than half of the 25 cent coin's buying power today. The quarter's unit cost has increased by 26.2% since the Mint's 2023 report, when its price tag was closer to 12 cents.

Cost of the half-dollar The half-dollar coin costs nearly 34 cents ($0.3397) to make and distribute. That represents nearly two-thirds of the 50 cent piece's buying power.

Cost of the half-dollar The half-dollar coin costs nearly 34 cents ($0.3397) to make and distribute. That represents nearly two-thirds of the 50 cent piece's buying power.

Here’s how much the US spends on minting its other coins ... U.S. Mint said it shipped 52 million half-dollar coins in its 2024 fiscal year, up from 18 million coins shipped in the 2023 period.

Cost of the half-dollar The half-dollar coin costs nearly 34 cents ($0.3397) to make and distribute. That represents nearly two-thirds of the 50 cent piece’s buying power.