United States half dollars produced in 1971 did not contain silver. Following the Coinage Act of 1965, the composition of circulating dimes, quarters, and half dollars changed from 90% silver to a clad composition of copper-nickel bonded to a core of pure copper. Therefore, Kennedy half dollars minted in 1971 are composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
The elimination of silver from circulating coinage was prompted by rising silver prices and the need to stabilize the nation’s coinage supply. The intrinsic value of silver in pre-1965 coins was exceeding their face value, leading to hoarding and a coin shortage. The shift to clad coinage addressed these issues and ensured the continued availability of coins for commerce.