There is a thread down the page about half dollars in general circulation and the thread ended up talking about some European coins or somesuch. The fellow made a good point, when's the last time you got a fifty cent piece in change? I was in a tavern a while back and the bartender gave them in change and I made a comment and he said the owner gets them every day from the bank and gives the out on a regular basis. Once in a great while, I'll get one up in Wisconsin, but never around here in Illinois. When I was much younger, we used half dollars much more and they were an every day occurance, even dollar coins. Franklins were very common as well as SL's. Peace dollars were common as well as Morgans. I think what happened is when silver went through the roof in the '80s, people quit using halfs and dollars and that's how it stayed ever since. My pockets don't jingle like they used to.
Half dollars are pretty much a thing of the past these days. With the mint only making them available at a premium for collectors, you won't find them in circulation. Casinos are a good source for half dollars. Here in Delaware, we have access to them here in state, and those in Atlantic City, NJ. If you make the rounds at the banks in your area, every so often a roll can be purchased. Most will of course be of the Kennedy variety, but on occasion, the rare find of a Franklin can be had. Each year, our firm holds a coin seminar in the local elementary school. We pass out a half dollar to each student in the class. Then we offer a Mercury dime for each correct answer during the seminar. There is a growing cause to update the half dollar. Maybe even make it a circulating commemorative. So lets keep our fingers crossed.
