1776-1976 Kennedy Half dollar

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The Kennedy half dollar was struck in 90% silver in 1964. The following year, this was changed to silver-clad, with the silver content lowered to 40%. In 1971, the circulation coinage composition was changed a final time, eliminating the silver, and using the copper-nickel clad standard common to the dollar, quarter, and dime. Bicentennial half dollars dated 1776-1976 were produced in the years 1975 and 1976 in the copper-nickel clad composition for circulation and proof and also in the 40% silver composition in uncirculated and proof versions for inclusion in special collector sets. When the United States Mint started producing silver proof sets in 1992, the Kennedy half dollar included in them had the same composition as the coins of 1964.
In 1975 and 1976, the bicentennial half dollar was minted showing Independence Hall on the reverse. All of the bicentennial halves are dated "1776–1976." While the special half sparked some interest in the public, when the half returned to its regular design in 1977, it continued its decline in use and mintage. In some years the coins have not been released for normal circulation, but only in special mint rolls, mint sets, and proof sets for collectors (1970, 1987, 2001 {P only, D WAS issued for circulation}, 2002 - 2004, 2006 - 2008). [3] This is due to the mint & Federal Reserve having a large stockpile inventory of previous years halves, still available for bank & commercial demand, probably in part due to U.S. casinos switching over to "coinless" slot machines & casino half-dollar chips, which were the last big commercial demand for half-dollars. As this stockpile dwindles down, new halves are again released for regular circulation, as is also occasionally done for US Dollar coins and Two Dollar Bills.