1971 Half Dollar Value Guide

The 1971 Half Dollar Value

Values remain consistent across the 1971 half dollar and 1971-D half dollar versions of the coin. Values increase with the proof versions of the coin.

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1971 half dollar with that grade, or no value information (or not enough) exists for it yet.

Additionally, all values are conservative estimates based on research. Please note all values are subject to change due to the market or circumstances unaccounted for during research and publication. We always recommend doing further research or consulting with a professional.

Melt Value

The 1971 half dollar’s melt value is approximately negligible. The melt value will fluctuate with the market.

Circulation Strike Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	1971 Half Dollar	1971-D Half Dollar
Good – G	$0.80	$0.80
Very Good – VG	$0.80	$0.80
Fine – F	$0.80	$0.80
Very Fine – VF	$0.80	$0.80
Extra Fine – XF	$0.80	$0.80
About Uncirculated – AU	$$0.80-0.87	$0.80-$0.87
Mint State – MS	$3-$2,000 (67)	$3-$3,400 (68)

Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1971-S Proof Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60	$2
PR 61	$3
PR 62	$3
PR 63	$3
PR 64	$4
PR 65	$6
PR 66	$9
PR 67	$12
PR 68	$16
PR 69	$31
PR 70	N/A

Cameo (CA/CAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1971-S Cameo Proof Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 CA/CAM	$4
PR 61 CA/CAM	$4
PR 62 CA/CAM	$4
PR 63 CA/CAM	$5
PR 64 CA/CAM	$8
PR 65 CA/CAM	$11
PR 66 CA/CAM	$14
PR 67 CA/CAM	$20
PR 68 CA/CAM	$32
PR 69 CA/CAM	$127
PR 70 CA/CAM	N/A

Ultra/Deep Cameo (UC/DCAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1971-S Ultra/Deep Cameo Proof Half Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 61 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 62 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 63 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 64 UC/DCAM	$10
PR 65 UC/DCAM	$20
PR 66 UC/DCAM	$30
PR 67 UC/DCAM	$68
PR 68 UC/DCAM	$157
PR 69 UC/DCAM	$2,200
PR 70 UC/DCAM	N/A

What Makes A 1971 Half Dollar Valuable?

Several factors make the 1971 half dollar (also known as the Kennedy half dollar) valuable. These include their grading, strike type, and whether or not they’re error coins or die varieties.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Coin grading does contribute to the 1971 half dollar’s value. However, you will only see significant value increases from coin grading at the highest mint-state grades. This is true for both the circulation- and proof-strike coin versions.

Unfortunately, everything below mint-state grades for the circulation-strike version will bring in just barely over face value for the coin.

Even several grades for the proof and cameo proof versions are only worth a few dollars each.

However, the good news is that you will likely find and acquire the version and grade you want for a reasonable price.

Rarity

The Mint minted 1971 half dollars approximately 460,482,157 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1971: 155,164,000 minted in Philadelphia^4,9
• 1971-D: 302,097,424 minted in Denver^5,10
• 1971-S Proof: 3,220,733 minted in San Francisco^6,11

The 1971 half dollar’s general lack of rarity does not contribute to the coin’s value.

However, the Mint produced only a little over 3 million 1971-S proof half dollars. Compared to the hundreds of millions it produced for the Philadelphia and Denver circulation-strike coins, this rarity does add to the 1971-S proof half dollar’s value.

Mint Marks

1971 half dollars have three minting locations:^1-6

• Philadelphia
• Denver
• San Francisco

The Philadelphia and Denver coins are essentially identical in terms of value. 

The San Francisco coins are worth more than Philadelphia and Denver because those coins are proof coins, while the Philadelphia and Denver versions are circulation coins.

Strike Types

The 1971 half dollar has two strike types: circulation and proof.^12,13

Proof-strike 1971 Kennedy half dollars are worth more than the circulation-strike versions due to their increased rarity and greater care taken with their minting. 

The 1971 proof-strike half dollars also have cameo and ultra/deep cameo versions, which are worth more than the regular proof-strike versions.^7,8

Design Variations

The 1971 half dollar has no design variations (such as the 2009 Lincoln penny’s four design variations).

Special Designations

The 1971 half dollar has no versions with special designations (such as a full-steps Jefferson nickel). 

Error Coins 

Errors add significant value to 1971 half dollars. 

Such errors include the following but are not limited to:¹⁴

• Clipped planchet errors (part or parts of the coin are clipped off)
• Wrong cent planchet (when the coin was minted on a quarter or nickel, for example)¹⁵
• Transitional error (the coin was struck on the previous year’s planchet)
• Off-center strike (the coin’s design was struck off-center)

Of these errors, the wrong cent planchet and transitional error coins are the most valuable, totaling hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Die Varieties

The 1971-D half dollar and 1971-S proof half dollar have doubled-die varieties. Most occur on the obverse side, but some also occur on the 1971-S proof’s reverse side.^4,6

Doubled-die varieties refer to doubling happening with some parts of the coin. Doubling is when, quite literally, those parts of the coin show up twice in some capacity.¹⁶

These varieties add value to these coins.³⁷

Composition

The 1971 half dollar is a 75% copper and 25% nickel coin. Unfortunately, these metals don’t add value to the coin as silver can and usually does. 

However, the market fluctuates, but we generally recommend not melting coins down as they tend to be worth more than their melt value.

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1971 Half Dollar?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1971 half dollar (or any coin) and to get that value out of it is to have it professionally certified.

However, you can look for many elements to get you started in determining what coin you have.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Generally, look for fewer imperfections, a greater level of shine, and a higher level of detail to help you determine what kind of grade your coin could fall into. 

Beyond that, you’ll need the help of a professional to determine the specific grade.

Remember to handle any coins with soft cotton gloves and hold them between your thumb and index finger.

Mint Marks

Look below President Kennedy’s neck on a 1971 half dollar’s obverse side (the front) for its mint mark.

No mint mark indicates Philadelphia minted the coin. This also indicates the coin is a circulation-strike.

A “D” mint mark indicates Denver minted the coin. This also indicates the coin is a circulation-strike.

An “S” mint mark indicates San Francisco minted the coin. This also indicates the coin is a proof-strike.

Strike Types

Look for evidence of squared-off rims, a higher level of detail and quality, and an overall more reflective finish to determine if you have a 1971 proof half dollar. 

The cameo and ultra/deep cameo proof versions will show an even greater level of contrast between the design elements and the background field.

Design Variations

The 1971 half dollar has no design variations.

Special Designations

The 1971 half dollar has no special designations.

Error Coins

Look at the coin’s rim to determine if you have a clipped planchet error. The rim will not be a smooth circle. Instead, part or parts of it will be missing.

A 1971 Kennedy half dollar minted on the wrong cent (a wrong cent planchet error) will show an incomplete design on the wrong size coin. It will also be the wrong color if the Mint minted it on a penny planchet.

You have several options for determining if you have a 1971 transitional error half dollar. 

First, you can test if the coin is magnetic. Nickel is magnetic, while copper and silver are not.^19,20 This means that if your 1971 half dollar is magnetic, you have the normal version. 

Second, a normal 1971 half dollar weighs 11.34 grams (0.40000673 ounces), while a 1971 half dollar minted on a 1970 half dollar planchet weighs 11.50 grams (0.4056506 ounces).^1,21 So, it’s a good sign you have the latter if your coin weighs that amount. 

Off-center strikes are easy to determine. You’ll see the design quite literally off-center.

Die Varieties

You’ll likely need some kind of magnification to identify if your 1971 Kennedy half dollar is a doubled-die variety.^4,6,22-24 Look for doubling on the word “Trust” or “In” on the coin’s obverse side. For the doubled die reverse variety, look for doubling on the stars, “Half Dollar,” and “Of America” on the coin’s reverse side.

Additional Information About The 1971 Half Dollar

History

The U.S. Mint first minted Kennedy half dollars in 1964. This followed President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.

It’s important to note that minting this coin required an act of Congress since the Mint could not change coin designs more than once every 25 years. 

The previous half-dollar coin design, the Franklin half dollar, was only 15 years old at the time of Kennedy’s assassination.

So, Congress created an act to allow the Mint to mint the Kennedy coins.

The Kennedy coins were immediately popular. Many hoarded them instead of allowing them to circulate.

From 1964 to 1970, the U.S. Mint made Kennedy half dollars from a significant amount of silver. 

Unfortunately, 1971 was the first year the Mint made them from the 75% copper and 25% nickel they’re still made from today.

^{Sources: 12,25-26}

The Coin’s Obverse Side

The 1971 half dollar’s obverse side features President John F. Kennedy’s profile facing to the left. His profile fills the majority of the coin. 

The words “In God We Trust” sit on either side of his lower neck. The year sits just below it, curving with the rim.

The word “Liberty” curves around the rest of the coin’s rim, with plenty of space between each letter.

Coins minted in Denver have a small “D” mint mark just below Kennedy’s neck. 

Coins minted in San Francisco have a small “S” in the same spot.

^{Sources: 1-6}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

The 1971 Kennedy half dollar’s reverse side features a heraldic eagle filling much of the coin. The eagle is clutching an olive branch in its left talons and a bundle of arrows in its right talons. 

Curving around the coin are the words “United States Of America” and “Half dollar.” Stars surround the eagle in a circle. Rays, a cloud, and additional stars fill in the design above and behind the heraldic eagle.

^{Sources: 1,4}

What Inspired The 1971 Half Dollar’s Reverse Side?

The obverse side of the Great Seal of the United States of America (which also happens to be the U.S.’s national coat of arms) inspired the reverse side’s eagle.^27-36 The Great Seal symbolizes the country’s independence, used by the President on official documents and communications.

Much of the Great Seal’s version appears on the 1971 half dollar’s version. However, there are some differences of note.

First, the shield (an escutcheon) over the eagle’s chest comes to a point instead of the Great Seal’s rectangular version.

Second, the eagle is holding a scroll with the words “E Pluribus Unum” in both versions. Those words are Latin for “Out of many, one,” which is the United States motto.

However, the Great Seal’s version has the scroll split in half, with one half on either side of the eagle’s head and following the curve of the upper portions of the eagle’s wings. 

The 1971 Kennedy half dollar’s version does not split the scroll in half. Instead, it simply flows above the eagle’s head and does not follow the wing’s curves.

Third, above the Great Seal’s eagle is a glory Or surrounded by a cloud within which sit 13 stars. These 13 stars match the number of arrows, olive leaves, and olives, all signifying the original 13 colonies.

A glory refers to a halo of light, often seen against clouds. 

“Or” is a tincture within heraldry (design and display of coats of arms). Tinctures are color groups within heraldry. “Or” is gold, and it belongs to the “metals” group.

The 1971 Kennedy half dollar’s version features stars and clouds, albeit in a different arrangement than on the Great Seal’s version. The 1971 half dollar also has rays.

Sources

1971 Half Dollar Value Guide Sources