What Makes A 1971 Half-Dollar Rare And Valuable

What makes a 1971 half-dollar rare? The 1971 half-dollar may seem ordinary, but some versions are quite rare and collectible. If you’ve stumbled upon one, you may be wondering – what makes a 1971 half-dollar coin valuable?

In short: low mintage, proof coin status, special silver composition, and pristine condition can make these 50-cent pieces far more precious than their face value.

We’ll dive into all the details on the different types of 1971 half dollars and what collectors are seeking. Read on to unlock the mystery of these semi-modern rarities and find out if you have a treasured variety in your pocket change!

Low Total Mintage for 1971 Half Dollars

Most 1971 half-dollars are common

The majority of the 460,981,607 half-dollars minted in 1971 are common and have minimal collector value. The Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints each struck millions of 1971 half dollars for circulation, meeting demand for the 50-cent coinage.

Today, well-worn examples from any of those three mints can be purchased for under $10.

According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), top-graded MS-65 examples with brilliant, mark-free surfaces have values around $20 to $35 each. So while plentiful, most 1971 halves are inexpensive and easy to obtain.

A few key dates are scarce

There are two scarce key date 1971 proof half dollars that draw significant collector interest and higher values.

The 1971-S proof is considered the “king” of half-dollars. PCGS notes only 3,244,183 were struck at the San Francisco Mint. Today, these mirrored special strikings trade for around $25 in PR-65 condition.

While no circulation strikes have an important rarity, these S-Mint-proof coins stand out as conditionally scarce 1971 half dollars. Demand from modern U.S. coin keeps prices relatively high for problem-free examples certified by PCGS or Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC).

Proof and Silver Proof Versions

Proof coins have special finishes

Proof versions of the 1971 half-dollar were struck with a higher quality finish compared to regular circulating coinage. They have mirrored surfaces and sharper details showcasing the intricate design elements.

Proof coins go through a specialized minting process using specially polished dies and are struck multiple times with increased pressure. This results in the crisp, flawless surfaces that make proof coinage stand out.

Only a small number of proof sets were made in 1971, destined for coin collectors. Each proof set included a proof Kennedy half a dollar with mirror-like surfaces. These premium proof versions allow collectors to own a pristine example of the coin.

Even fewer silver proofs made

In 1971, even fewer silver-proof Kennedy half dollars were produced. While regular proof versions of the 1971 half dollar were made with copper-nickel clad material, the silver proofs were struck in 90% silver just like the circulation half dollars from 1964 and earlier.

The mintage for the 1971-S silver proof half dollar was only 3,244,183 pieces. These rare silver-proof coins have immense collectible value today. An NGC-certified mint state 70 example sold for over $20,000 at auction in 2015.

There are some counterfeit silver-proof 1971 halves in the marketplace. Collectors must be vigilant and purchase certified silverproof examples from reputable coin dealers to ensure authenticity.

Uncirculated and Special Mint Sets

Coins packaged for collectors when minted

The U.S. Mint started packaging uncirculated coin sets for collectors in 1947. These sets, often referred to as “Uncirculated Mint Sets,” contained examples of each denomination from each mint facility.

The sets were a way for collectors to obtain nice uncirculated examples of the coinage being produced in a given year.

In 1965, the U.S. Mint began producing Special Mint Sets specifically for coin collectors. These sets contained specially struck coinage with specially polished dies. The idea was to create coin sets with a cleaner, more uniform appearance than normal circulating coinage.

Special Mint Sets were struck with greater care and often have exceptionally sharp details and smooth, lustrous surfaces. Between 1965 and 1967, the U.S. Mint packaged Special Mint Sets containing examples from each mint facility for that year.

These sets were sold directly to collectors and dealers and not released for circulation.

Very limited quantities struck

One reason 1971 half dollars from Special Mint Sets are rare and valuable is that very small quantities were produced. According to the authoritative coin reference website PCGS CoinFacts, just 5 sets containing a 1971-S half dollar were made, with a total mintage of only 10 coins.

To put that tiny mintage into perspective, over 302 million regular 1971-D Kennedy half dollars were struck for circulation. With only 10 examples struck, the 1971-S Special Mint Set half dollar is one of the keys to the series.

The incredibly low mintage of just 10 coins makes the 1971-S Kennedy half-dollar extremely rare. And since Special Mint Sets are specially packaged for collectors, most examples that do surface have been well preserved over the last 50+ years.

This combination of tiny supply and strong demand puts immense upward pressure on value.

Condition is Key For Collectability and Value

When collecting coins, the condition or grade is one of the most important factors determining rarity and value. For 1971 half dollars, there are a few key grades collectors look for.

Uncirculated Condition

1971 half dollars in mint state (MS) condition with a grade of MS-63 or higher are considered uncirculated and quite rare. Coins with marks, nicks, spots, or other signs of wear will be graded lower. Uncirculated coins with near-perfect surfaces can fetch high premiums.

For example, an MS-65 recently sold for over $500 at auction.

Proof Condition

The 1971-S proof half dollar, specially struck for collectors with mirrored surfaces, is also rare and valuable in very high grades. There were an estimated 3.2 million proof halves made in 1971 at the San Francisco Mint. However, few remain today in perfect PR-70 condition.

These flawless coins have sold for up to $7,800 at auction.

So while mint state and proof 1971 half dollars can be plentiful, coins graded MS-65 or higher and PR-68 or higher are worth a close look. Condition separates the great from the good among modern coin issues like the 1971 half dollar.

Authenticating and Grading Your 1971 Half Dollar

Ways to detect altered or counterfeit coins

There are a few key ways to determine if your 1971 half-dollar is authentic or if it has been altered in some way:

• Examine the coin’s weight and dimensions. An authentic 1971 half-dollar weighs 11.34 grams and has a diameter of 30.6mm. If your coin differs from these specifications, it may be counterfeit or altered.
• Check for distinctive marks from the minting process like the reeded edge. These should be crisp and well-defined.
• Use a magnet on the coin. An authentic silver 1971 half dollar will not stick to a magnet while clad counterfeits likely will.
• Evaluate the coin’s luster and surface quality under good lighting. Severely worn or impaired luster could indicate cleaning or other damage.
• Compare images and descriptions from collector resources like PCGS or NGC certification guides to authenticate more subtle details of a potentially valuable coin.

Getting a professional appraisal can also help determine authenticity and spot altered dates, mint marks, or added stampings. Sampling services from reputable coin dealers or third-party grading companies are a smart way to ensure you understand what you have.

Professional grading Optimizer value

After verifying authenticity, professional grading offers the best method for realizing the maximum value of a rare 1971-D half dollar. Services from leaders like PCGS, NGC, and ANACS evaluate coins based on a numeric scale from 1 to 70 representing mint state (MS60-MS70) or proof (PR60-PR70) condition.

In January 2023, an MS-65 graded 1971-D Kennedy half in PCGS holder sold for $1,400 on eBay. An identical raw coin might expect to trade for less than $50. Grading encapsulation authenticates coins while driving substantially higher market values.

Learn more by exploring resources like PCGS CoinFacts and examining recent auction records to make informed decisions about your 1971 half dollars. Discovery and understanding are the first steps toward finding out if you have a hidden numismatic treasure!

What Makes A 1971 Half-Dollar Rare – Conclusion

While most 1971 Kennedy half dollars are plentiful, a few special versions stand out as genuinely scarce. Proof and uncirculated coins, those made of .40% silver, and pieces in pristine shape are sought-after by collectors and carry significant premiums.

Now that you know what to look for, you can more easily identify if your 1971 half has what it takes to be considered rare!