Why has the half dollar coin dissappered?

Answer 1

It hasn't, you can generally go into most banks and get a few rolls of half dollars. The reason why it has mostly disappeared is twofold, first is that it when it was released it was widely hoarded as a keepsake of the late president Kennedy, so people kept it in hopes that it would increase in value. Also important is that when the Kennedy half dollar was released in 1964 it was the last year the US government minted 90% silver coins for general circulation and 90% silver half dollars were worth more in silver than face value so people picked up any 90% silver half dollars. From 1965-1970 the half dollar was unique in the fact it was minted in 40% silver this meant that people saved it out because it was the only coin in general circulation that contained any silver and people knew that the price of silver was going to rise. From 1971 onwards, the coin has been the standard copper-nickel composition and no circulation half dollars dated 1971 and later are worth more than face value. However, because half dollars did not see wide circulation (because people would save the silver coins because they would go up in value) people got used to a system where the highest denomination was the quarter. The 2001 was the last year the mint minted half dollars for general circulation, but still produces them every year for sale to collectors and when they run out of 2001 rolls to give to banks they will start minting more. But just go to your local bank, chances are they can order you some half dollars or will have a few on hand, you might have to go to a few branches however, as some people will simply save any half dollars they come across as curiosities, even though they might not be worth any more than face value.