1971 US Kennedy Half Dollar
United States Mint · Collectibles & Antiques > Coins & Paper Money
Era / Decade
1970s (Dated 1971)
Material
Copper-nickel clad (75% copper, 25% nickel outer layer bonded to a pure copper core)
Condition
Good to Very Good. Shows standard circulation wear with surface scuffs, minor scratches, and loss of original mint luster, but details on Kennedy's portrait and lettering remain fully legible.
Demand Level
Niche
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
0.50 - 1.50 - 3.00 USD
Estimated Retail Value
0.50 USD (Face Value)
Comparable Sales
Circulated 1971 half dollars typically sell individually on eBay for around $1.00 to $2.00 plus shipping, or in rolls/lots averaging close to face value to slightly over face value.
Description
A circulated 1971 United States Kennedy Half Dollar featuring the left-facing profile portrait of President John F. Kennedy on the obverse with the inscription LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the year 1971. The standard composition for circulation half dollars from this year lacks silver, meaning it has no precious metal melt value beyond its 50-cent denomination, though common date circulated coins are occasionally sold to collectors or used in cash transactions.
Key Features
Recognizable historical figure, widely collected series by novice numismatists, standard copper-nickel clad composition.
Authenticity Indicators
Standard weight, magnetic properties (non-magnetic copper-nickel), standard reeded edge, and correct lettering and imagery matching official US Mint specifications for 1971. High confidence.
Flaws to Note
Circulation wear, surface scratches, scuffs, and lack of uncirculated mint luster.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Local coin shops, eBay (usually in lots), or simply spending it at face value.
Selling Tips
Do not clean the coin, as cleaning ruins any numismatic value. It is generally not worth paying shipping fees to sell a single circulated 1971 half dollar online unless bundled in a lot of multiple half dollars.