<P> The Kennedy half dollar, first minted in 1964, is a fifty - cent coin currently issued by the United States Mint . Intended as a memorial to the assassinated President John F. Kennedy, it was authorized by Congress just over a month after his death . Use of existing works by Mint sculptors Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro allowed dies to be prepared quickly, and striking of the new coins began in January 1964 . </P> <P> The silver coins were hoarded upon their release in March 1964 by collectors and those interested in a memento of the late president . Although the Mint greatly increased production, the denomination was seldom seen in circulation . Continued rises in the price of silver increased the hoarding--many early Kennedy half dollars have been melted for their silver content . Starting with 1965 - dated pieces, the percentage of fine silver was reduced from 90% to 40% (silver clad), but even with this change the coin saw little circulation . </P> <P> In 1971, when silver was eliminated entirely from the coins and production increased, the series began to see improved, but still limited circulation . A special design for the reverse of the half dollar was issued for the United States Bicentennial and was struck in 1975 and 1976 . In addition to business strikes, special collector coins were struck for the Bicentennial in silver clad; silver proof sets in which the dime, quarter and half dollar were struck in 90% silver were first minted in 1992 . In 2014 a special edition of the Kennedy half dollar was also struck in 99.99% gold . </P> <P> Even though ample supplies of circulating half dollars are readily available from most banks, their circulation is still limited . Since 2002, Kennedy half dollars have only been struck to satisfy the demand from collectors, and are available at a premium through the Mint . </P>

When did they stop using silver in half dollars