40% Silver - As the price of Silver began to increase in the 1960s, the United States government began seeking a more cost-effective alternative to the minting of 90% Silver content coins. To honor assassinated President John F. Kennedy, the U.S. Mint began minting half-dollars depicting Kennedy that were 40% Silver instead of 90% Silver.
The Kennedy half-dollars consisted of an inner layer containing 79% copper and 21% Silver. This inner layer was clad by an outer layer of 20% copper and 80% Silver. Thus, rather than containing 90% Silver, the Kennedy halves contain 40% Silver and 60% copper. The 40% Silver Kennedy half-dollars were the last regularly circulated coins from the U.S. Mint that still contain any Silver.
Today, $1,000 and $500 face-value bags of 40% Silver Kennedy halves minted between 1965 and 1969 are convenient and easy ways to own silver. Not only are 40% Silver coins legal tender that never will lose their face value, they also are Silver coins that do not have the high premiums associated with 1 oz Silver bullion coins, such as the Silver American Eagle coins.
APMEX offers the ability to purchase 40% Silver in small increments of $1 through full $1,000 Face-Value Bags, with several increments in between. All bags contain only Kennedy half-dollars dated from 1965 to 1969. If you desire to buy Silver in the most cost-efficient way, the 40% Silver coins from APMEX are a great option. APMEX makes it easy to buy Silver by offering competitive Silver prices on all Silver products.