LemonTrades
TL;DR
- No 1971 half dollar is silver. 1971 was the first year Kennedy halves were made of copper-nickel over copper.
- So most 1971, 1971-D and 1971-S proof halves are worth about 50 cents, or a little more in perfect condition.
- Errors and doubled-die varieties can be worth much more. If you want silver, look for halves from 1970 or earlier.
- LemonTrades follows the silver price for you, with alerts on sharp moves and the likely cause.
If your half dollar is dated 1971, here’s what you have.
The 1971 versions
| Version | Made | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 (Philadelphia) | About 155 million | 50 cents |
| 1971-D (Denver) | About 302 million | 50 cents |
| 1971-S proof | About 3.2 million, in proof sets | A small premium |
1971 halves worth more
- Doubled-die varieties, with doubled letters on the front, especially on some 1971-S proofs.
- Mint errors: off-center strikes, missing clad layers or coins struck on the wrong blank.
- Uncirculated coins in top condition.
Quick check
Look at the edge: a 1971 half shows a copper stripe. If yours doesn’t, and it looks solid silver, it may be an error struck on a 40% silver blank, which is rare. Weigh it: a clad half weighs 11.34 grams, a 40% silver half 11.5 grams.
More: Kennedy half dollar value and the 1971 silver dollar.
Sources
Education, not financial advice. Collector values vary with condition and demand; get a valuable coin checked by a reputable dealer or grading service. See our disclaimer.
