In 1964, I believe it was, my wife and I saved all the half-dollars we received in change, putting them toward a vacation. At the end of the year, we had over $300 in the gallon jug that we tossed them in.
It worked so well that we repeated the regime the very next year. And ended up with $27.50...
I collect 1/2 dollars, although i don't have that many. I only collect them if they come across my path during transactions. I have some 1 dollar pieces too, those are my favorites. :)