The other day, I was at the Do-it Center and when I got my change, I asked if they had any half dollars.

The man looked in the drawer. “No,” he said, We had a couple the other day but one of the guys took them.”

It struck me that I have not seen a half dollar for years. When I get change, it is always two quarters or a mixture of nickels and dimes. Even the banks don’t hand out half dollars as a rule.

The problem may be that people find half dollar pieces too heavy. Coins account for most of the wear and tear on pockets and most people would prefer a pocket full of dimes to a couple of halves.