The half dollar has been part of U.S. currency since 1794, making it older than the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter designs we know today.

It is officially worth 50 cents, yet many Americans have never spent one in real life.

The most famous version features John F. Kennedy and was introduced in 1964, less than a year after his assassination.

The Kennedy half dollar was rushed into production so quickly that Congress approved it in just over a month, which was unusually fast for a coin redesign.

The 1964 Kennedy half dollar is made of 90 percent silver, making it highly collectible.

From 1965 to 1970, half dollars were still partially silver at 40 percent, even after other coins lost silver entirely.

Since 1971, half dollars have been made mostly of copper and nickel, just like quarters and dimes.

The coin is 30.6 mm wide, larger than a quarter, which is one reason it fell out of favor for everyday use.

Vending machine companies historically disliked half dollars, helping push them out of circulation. Many parking meters and transit systems once accepted half dollars but later phased them out.

Half dollars are still minted today, even though most are never released into general circulation. Modern half dollars are usually made only for collectors, not for banks. You can still get them from some banks if you ask or order a full roll.

The reverse of the Kennedy half dollar shows the Presidential Seal, including the eagle, shield, and olive branch.

Early half dollars featured Lady Liberty, often shown in flowing robes or capped designs.

The Walking Liberty half dollar from 1916 to 1947 is considered one of the most beautiful U.S. coin designs ever made.

That Walking Liberty design later inspired the American Silver Eagle bullion coin.

The phrase “In God We Trust” did not appear on all half dollars until the mid 1800s.

Half dollars were once extremely common in everyday transactions, especially before the Civil War.

During the Great Depression, half dollars were often hoarded because of their silver content.

Casinos used half dollars extensively before switching to tokens and chips.

The coin’s edge is reeded, like quarters and dimes, originally to prevent silver shaving.

The U.S. Mint briefly experimented with commemorative half dollars in the early 1900s.

Some commemorative half dollars were sold at large markups to fund monuments and expositions.

The half dollar is the largest regularly issued U.S. coin still in production.

Magic tricks often use half dollars because their size makes sleight of hand easier.

Collectors typically call the coin simply “a half” rather than “half dollar.”

Despite its size, the modern half dollar weighs only 11.34 grams.

A full roll of half dollars is worth $10, which surprises a lot of people.

JFK’s widow, Jacqueline Kennedy, personally approved the final design of the Kennedy half dollar.

Some people collect half dollars exclusively by decade rather than by mint.

A single silver half dollar can be worth many times its face value, depending on the year and condition.