<P> Though not commonly used today, half dollar coins have a long history of heavy use alongside other denominations of coinage, but have faded out of general circulation for many reasons . They were produced in fairly large quantities until the year 2002, when the U.S. Mint ceased production of the coin for general circulation . As a result of its decreasing usage, a large amount of pre-2002 half dollars remain in Federal Reserve vaults, prompting the change in production . Presently, collector half dollars can be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint, and pre-2002 circulation half dollars may be ordered through most U.S. banks . </P> <P> Half dollar coins saw heavy use, particularly in the first half of the 20th century . For many years, they were commonly (and in many areas still are) used by the gambling community . Rolls of half dollars may still be kept on hand in cardrooms for games requiring 50 - cent antes or bring - in bets, for dealers to pay winning naturals in blackjack, or where the house collects a rake in increments . Additionally, some concession vendors at sporting events distribute half dollar coins as change for convenience . </P> <P> By the early 1960s, the rising price of silver was nearing the point where the bullion value of U.S. silver coins would exceed face value . In 1965, the U.S. introduced layered composition coins made of a copper core laminated between two cupronickel outer faces . The silver content of dimes and quarters was eliminated, but the Kennedy half dollar composition still contained silver (reduced from 90 to 40 percent) from 1965 to 1970 . </P> <P> Half dollars issued through the end of the 1960s were hoarded as the only precious metal U.S. coins remaining in production, and as the price of silver continued to rise, pre-1964 halves disappeared from circulation as well . By the time that the coin's composition was changed to match that of the clad dimes and quarters in 1971, both businesses and the public had begun to adapt to a country in which the half dollar did not generally circulate . The half saw a moderate increase in usage during the mid 1970s, only to fall again by the end of the decade . The quarter then took over the half's role as the highest - value component of change in general use . </P>

When was the last silver half dollar made