Is a 1971 Kennedy half silver?

No. 1971-on business strikes are copper-nickel clad.

What about 1976 halves?

Circulation Bicentennial halves are clad. Some collector 1976 halves are 40% silver. Check the set or the weight; do not bag them as 90%.

What is a 1971 half dollar worth in melt today?

At today’s copper price of $6.5215/lb, one coin’s melt is $0.1651. Multiply by how many you have. Melt is the metal, not a collector price.

First clad circulating Kennedy

1971 Kennedy half — not silver

A 1971 Kennedy half (and later business strikes) is clad. No silver. 1964 is 90%. 1965–1970 is 40%. One coin’s melt today is $0.1651 at $6.5215/lb copper.

1964 Kennedy 90% silver Only 90% Kennedy year 1965–1970 Kennedy 40% silver Still silver 1971-on Kennedy Clad — no silver This page

1971 is when circulating Kennedy halves lost the remaining silver. Melt here is copper plus nickel — not a silver bag.

Bicentennial 1776–1976 halves for circulation are also clad. Silver Bicentennial halves exist for collectors (40% silver). Read the packaging; do not assume 1976 is silver.

Later proof silver Kennedys are collector strikes. A worn 1974 half from change is clad.

Full spec and quantity math: Kennedy half (clad) · Identify · US silver by year

Melt / coin$0.1651

Copper / lb$6.5215/lb

Gross weight11.340 g

If you want to sell Find a shop near you

A local coin shop can look at what you have. Melt may not be the whole story — dates and condition matter.