9 Silver Coins Featuring U.S. Presidents: Half Dollars and MoreAt publication,

Over the years, a number of U.S. coins have placed presidents on the obverse. Only some of those pieces used silver, however, and a smaller number were silver half dollars.

If you have half dollars, quarters, or dimes that may contain substantial silver, how can you confirm it? Dates such as coins issued in 1964 and earlier can provide useful clues, although the date alone does not always provide the complete answer.

This article examines nine silver coins—mostly silver half dollars—that depict U.S. presidents, along with noteworthy historical details about each one.

1. 1918 Illinois Centennial Silver Half Dollar — Abraham Lincoln

The inscriptions offer the first identifying clue for the 1918 Illinois Centennial Half Dollar. Look for “Centennial of the State of Illinois” on its obverse and “State Sovereignty National Union” on the reverse. The date 1918 is also useful because these silver half dollars were issued only that year. Another distinguishing feature is the unusual low-relief portrait of President Abraham Lincoln.

George T. Morgan designed this obverse from a statue by Andrew O’Connor; the coin is made of 90% silver.

2. 1922 Grant Memorial Half Dollar — Ulysses S. Grant

The obverse of the 1922 Grant Memorial Half Dollar carries a distinctive image of President and General Ulysses S. Grant. Laura Gardin Fraser designed these 90% silver half dollars. Grant’s name appears on the obverse, while the reverse depicts the log cabin in which he was born.

Produced in Philadelphia, these commemorative coins marked the 100-year anniversary of Grant’s birth.

3. 1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial Half Dollars — James Monroe and Quincy Adams

Film-industry moguls advocated for the 1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial Half Dollar coins. Their effort was an indirect attempt to restore Hollywood’s reputation. It resulted in a new commemorative coin struck in San Francisco.

These valuable silver half dollars place side-by-side portraits of presidents Quincy Adams and John Monroe on the obverse. That side also includes “Monroe,” “Adams,” and the date 1923. The reverse of this .90 fine silver half dollar features a map of the Western Hemisphere.

The design also includes a cornucopia and a quill, both used as symbols of the treaty.

On the reverse, the inscriptions state “Monroe Doctrine Centennial,” “Los Angeles,” along with two dates. 1823 marks the Monroe Doctrine’s beginning, and 1923 marks its centennial.

4. 1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar — Washington & Coolidge

The year 1926 marked the 150th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence. Its front displays two portraits, with President George Washington’s portrait overlapping President Calvin Coolidge’s. Beyond that, the obverse remains simple, carrying “Liberty” and “United States of America.” On the reverse is a plain Liberty Bell, similar to the version used on Franklin half dollars.

Its inscriptions include “Sesquicentennial of American Independence,” and the dates 1776 and 1926. These 90% silver half dollars were struck in Philadelphia.

5. 1964 Kennedy Silver Half Dollars — John F. Kennedy

Among silver half dollars, those honoring President John F. Kennedy were likely the best known when this article was originally published. Gilroy Roberts designed the left-facing Kennedy portrait on the obverse. The reverse bears the Presidential Coat of Arms. Silver content, however, varies considerably among these coins.

A 1964 Silver Kennedy Half Dollar is a .90 fine silver coin containing .36169 troy ounces of precious metal.

Following the first year, high demand rapidly reduced the silver stockpile. As a result, the silver content in Kennedy Half Dollars was lowered to 40%.

After 1970, circulation-strike Kennedy Half Dollars were copper-nickel clad and had no silver content.

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6. 1982 90% Commemorative Half Dollar — George Washington

In 1982, the United States Mint issued commemorative silver half dollars for the 250th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The obverse of this 90% pure silver coin shows Washington on horseback and includes “George Washington” and “Liberty.”

The reverse depicts the first president’s Mount Vernon home, with a heraldic eagle beneath it. Struck in San Francisco and Denver, these silver half dollars weigh .4019 troy ounces of pure silver.

7. 1993 Bill of Rights Half Dollar — James Madison

The 1993 Bill of Rights silver half dollars portray President James Madison. The obverse shows Madison writing the Bill of Rights, with his Montpelier home behind him. The front also carries the president’s name and “Father of the Bill of Rights.”

The reverse presents an attractive Torch of Liberty design. Its inscriptions include “The Bill of Rights” and “Our Basic Freedoms.” These 90% silver commemorative coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint in recognition of Madison and the well-known document.

8. 1932-1964 U.S. Silver Quarters — Washington

From 1932 through 1964, Washington Quarters consisted of 90% pure silver. These silver quarters were also the first commemorative coins produced for circulation. They were struck to mark the 200th anniversary of the first U.S. president’s birth.

Washington appears in side profile on the coin’s obverse. The reverse shows an eagle standing on arrows and an olive branch. These coins were minted at Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

Following 1964, Washington quarters used copper-nickel cladding around a copper core.

9. 1946-1964 U.S. Silver Dimes — Franklin Delano Roosevelt

In 1946, the U.S. Mint began producing 90% fine silver dimes bearing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the obverse. Many collectors assemble date-and-mintmark sets of these dimes, while others select complete mint sets.

Although this was the U.S. ten-cent piece when the article was published, the earlier silver examples remained worth setting aside. Roosevelt appears on the obverse; the reverse features a torch framed by olive and oak branches.

Additional Silver Coins

Many additional U.S. coins contain 90% silver. The Franklin Half Dollar does not show a president, but it features founding father Benjamin Franklin. Walking Liberty Half Dollars, minted from 1916 to 1947, likewise use a patriotic theme. Because of their 90% fine silver and age, these coins often sold at a premium, particularly when in high-quality condition.

A coin that can mislead collectors is the 40% silver Eisenhower Dollar. Most examples consist of nickel-copper, but that’s not always the case.

Another highly popular U.S.-minted coin when this article was originally published was the American Silver Eagle. The original article directed readers to one of Atlanta Gold & Coin’s many blog articles about these silver coins and described THIS as a useful starting point for silver-eagle information.

When this article was originally published, readers looking to buy or sell silver half dollars were invited to contact us at Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers. The original article said the business bought gold and silver coins, plus coins and bullion made from other precious metals, and offered transparent, fair pricing. It also described the company as a leading coin and bullion dealer with an outstanding reputation developed over many years.

At the time of publication, Atlanta Gold & Coin stated that it shared expertise and recommendations from our inventory to help people build collections or portfolios suited to their wants and needs. The original article invited readers to Give us a call today or fill out an appointment form online to purchase or sell silver coins.