A dusty 1971 Kennedy half dollar bought for 50¢ at a garage sale turned into one man’s life-changing rare coin discovery. Learn the shocking error that makes some 1971 halves worth thousands – and how YOU could spot one
What Exactly Happened With This 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar?
Picture this: It’s a Saturday morning in 2018. Mark Davis from Ohio spends $5 on an old cookie tin full of random change at a garage sale.
He gets home, dumps it out… and spots a weird-looking 1971-D Kennedy half dollar. Something about the edges looked “off.”
Turns out it was a super-rare “No FG + Doubled Die Obverse” error combo. Graded MS-67 by PCGS, it sold in 2022 for $24,000. Yes – from 50 cents to life-changing money.
A Quick History of the Kennedy Half Dollar Series
The Kennedy half dollar was first struck in 1964 just months after President Kennedy’s assassination. Originally 90% silver (1964 only), it switched to 40% silver (1965-1970), then copper-nickel clad in 1971 – the exact year of our story.
Over 400 million 1971 halves were minted (both Philadelphia and Denver), so most are still worth… 50 cents.
But a tiny handful have dramatic mint errors that collectors go crazy for.
The Rare Errors That Make Some 1971 Halves Insanely Valuable
The big three errors collectors hunt:
- Missing “FG” initials (designer Frank Gasparro) on the reverse
- Strong Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) – lettering and date look doubled
- Off-metal or wrong planchet strikes (super rare)
When two or more errors appear on the SAME coin? Prices explode.
Current 2025 Values: How Much Could Yours Be Worth?
| Error Type | Good-VF | AU-58 | MS-65 | MS-67 Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal 1971-D (common) | $0.50 | $1 | $10 | $75 |
| Missing FG only | $75 | $300 | $2,500 | $8,500 |
| Doubled Die Obverse | $150 | $800 | $6,000 | $14,000 |
| Missing FG + Strong DDO | $1,500 | $5,000 | $15,000+ | $24,000+ |
Real-Life Record Prices (Recent Auctions)
| Year Sold | Grade | Error Combo | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | PCGS MS-67 | No FG + DDO | $24,000 |
| 2024 | NGC MS-66+ | No FG + Die Crack | $17,500 |
| 2023 | PCGS MS-65 | Off-center + Missing FG | $11,750 |
Expert Tips: How to Hunt for Rare Kennedy Half Dollars Today
- Always check the reverse under the eagle’s tail for missing “FG”
- Look at “LIBERTY” and the date with a 10x loupe – doubling jumps out
- Buy old bank-wrapped rolls or “junk silver” lots on eBay – errors still hide there
- Never clean coins! Cleaning kills value instantly
- Get anything suspicious graded – it’s worth the $30-50 fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are all 1971 Kennedy half dollars valuable?
A: No – 99.9% are still just face value. Only dramatic errors matter.
Q: Is the 1971-S proof worth a lot?
A: The silver 1971-S proof is around $12-15. Nice, but not life-changing.
Q: Where’s the best place to sell a rare one?
A: Heritage Auctions, GreatCollections, or eBay with strong photos and third-party grading.
Final Thoughts – Your Next Big Find Could Be in a Junk Box!
Mark’s story proves it: the rarest coins aren’t always locked in bank vaults. Sometimes they’re sitting in a coffee can at a yard sale.
Next weekend, hit those garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets. Grab that loupe, check every Kennedy half you see – especially 1971s.