A half dollar is a currency unit worth half of a dollar, which is a widely used currency in many countries. It can be represented as 50 cents, 2 quarters, 10 nickels, or 5 dimes, making it a convenient and versatile form of payment for various transactions.
The Anatomy of a Half Dollar
The United States half dollar ($0.50) is a circulating coin that has undergone several changes in design and composition over its history. Understanding its structure provides insight into the evolution of American coinage.
Composition
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- 1794-1803: Silver (89.24%) and copper (10.76%)
- 1804-1836: Silver (89.24%) and copper (10.76% but with slightly higher purity)
- 1837-1891: Silver (90%) and copper (10%)
- 1892-1964: Silver (90%) and copper (10% but with higher purity)
- 1965-1978: Silver (40%) and copper (60%)
- Since 1979: Copper-nickel alloy (75% copper, 25% nickel with a manganese core)
Dimensions
- Diameter: 27.5 mm (1.083 inches)
- Thickness: 2.15 mm (0.085 inches)
- Weight:
- Silver half dollars (1837-1964): 12.5 grams (0.44 ounces)
- Clad half dollars (1965-1970): 11.34 grams (0.40 ounces)
- Copper-nickel half dollars (1971-present): 11.34 grams (0.40 ounces)
Edge
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Design
- Obverse: Lady Liberty facing right, with a coronet of stars or a tiara-shaped headdress
- Reverse: Varying designs over the years, including the American eagle, the eagle standing on a rock, and the Kennedy Half Dollar design (after 1964)
- Legend:
| Position | Inscription |
|---|---|
| Obverse, above Liberty’s head | LIBERTY |
| Obverse, below Liberty’s head | IN GOD WE TRUST |
| Reverse, above eagle/shield | UNITED STATES OF AMERICA |
| Reverse, below eagle/shield | E PLURIBUS UNUM |
| Reverse, below E PLURIBUS UNUM | HALF DOLLAR |
Question 1: What constitutes half of a dollar?
Answer: Half of a dollar is fifty cents in the United States currency system.
Question 2: What is the value of a half dollar in relation to the whole dollar?
Answer: The value of a half dollar is exactly one-half the value of a whole dollar, or 50/100.
Question 3: What other denominations are equivalent to half of a dollar?
Answer: Other denominations equivalent to half of a dollar include two quarters, ten nickels, or fifty pennies.
Well, there you have it, folks! Now you know the answer to that age-old question: “What’s half of a dollar?” I hope this little excursion into the world of currency has been enlightening, and that you’ll pop back in again sometime to see what other mind-boggling quandaries I’ve stumbled upon. Thanks for reading, and see you next time!