1971 Half Dollar Silver Content
The 1971 Kennedy half dollar has gotten complicated with all the composition questions, silver content myths, and collector confusion flying around. As someone who has sorted through countless half dollars separating silver from clad, I learned everything there is to know about this transitional year. Today, I will share it all with you.
The Short Answer
Probably should have led with this section, honestly—1971 Kennedy half dollars contain zero silver. None. They’re copper-nickel clad, worth exactly 50 cents unless in exceptional uncirculated condition.
The Timeline That Matters
- 1964: 90% silver Kennedy halves
- 1965-1970: 40% silver Kennedy halves
- 1971-present: Copper-nickel clad (no silver)
That’s what makes 1970 special to us collectors—it’s the last year of silver in circulating half dollars.
How to Tell the Difference
Check the edge. Silver-content halves (1964-1970) show solid silver on the edge. Clad halves (1971+) display a visible copper stripe sandwiched between nickel layers.
Weight also works: 40% silver halves weigh 11.5 grams; clad halves weigh 11.34 grams. The difference is subtle but measurable.
What 1971 Halves Are Worth Collecting
- Uncirculated examples (MS-63 and higher)
- Proof versions from San Francisco
- Error coins (doubled dies, off-centers)
A circulated 1971 half is worth face value. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise based on “silver content” it doesn’t have.
Preservation
Store half dollars in non-PVC holders. Handle by edges only. These coins are common but maintaining condition matters for any potential future value.
