Do you have a 1971 silver dollar, or are you looking to buy one? Either way, you’ll want to know how much it’s worth – and you’ve come to the right place!
We’re going to find out everything you need to know about the 1971 silver dollar value. We’ll look at the different mint marks and error coins out there. And we’ll find out just how much difference a coin’s condition makes to those all-important numbers.
Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!
1971 Silver Dollar Details
- Category: Eisenhower dollars
- Mints: San Francisco
- Mintage: 11,133,764
- Obverse designer: Frank Gasparro
- Reverse designer: Frank Gasparro, based on a design by Michael Collins and James Cooper
- Edge: Reeded
- Diameter: 38.5 millimeters
- Composition – cladding: 80% silver, 20% copper
- Composition – core: 79% copper, 21% silver
- Weight: 24.6 grams
1971 Silver Dollar Value Chart |
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Mint mark and variety | Extremely fine | MS60 | MS65 | MS68 |
1971 S Silver Dollar Value | $11 | $13 | $32 | $6,500 |
PR60 | PR63 | PR66 | PR69 | |
1971 S Proof Silver Dollar Value | $9
Cameo: $10 Deep Cameo: $13 |
$12
Cameo: $14 Deep Cameo: $15 |
$15
Cameo: $17 Deep Cameo: $22 |
$22
Cameo: $35 Deep Cameo: $46 |
1971 S Proof Silver Dollar, Type 1 Reverse Value | n/a | n/a | n/a | Deep Cameo: $9,500 |
1971 Silver Dollar Values and Varieties Guides
1971 S Proof Silver Dollar Value
- Type: Eisenhower dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: S
- Place of minting: San Francisco
- Year of minting: 1971
- Face value: $1
- $ price: $10 to $7,000+
- Quantity produced: 6,868,530
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
Unlike the dollars minted in Philadelphia and Denver in 1971, those struck in San Francisco contain real silver. Their precious metal content means they’ll always have an intrinsic value linked to the price of silver. But are they worth anything more than that?
The answer depends on the quality and condition of the coin. In most cases, the finer the coin, the rarer and more valuable it will be.
Regular strike silver dollars from 1971 in circulated condition are usually worth between $10 and $12. Coins with errors are an exception, and can be worth more.
Coins graded at the very lowest levels – 1 or 2 – also carry a premium. Some collectors specialize in these, and the PCGS values a 1971 S silver dollar graded 2 at $125.
In uncirculated condition (known as “mint state”), values start at around $13 for a coin graded MS60. The modest price tag reflects availability – coins at this level are easy to find.
At MS65 – the lowest grade awarded to “gem quality” coins – that value rises to $32. Values remain in double digits up to MS66+, where it increases to $125. A coin graded MS67 is worth around $340.
From there, values rise steeply. At MS67+, the figure is $2,800. That’s because over a thousand coins have been graded MS67, but only seven have been assessed as MS67+.
The PCGS has certified another seven coins at MS68, and it values these at $6,500. Only one finer example is known to exist. That’s graded MS69. It’s never been sold, and the PCGS doesn’t hazard a guess at its value.
1971 S Proof Silver Dollar Value
- Type: Eisenhower dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: S
- Place of minting: San Francisco
- Year of minting: 1971
- Face value: $1
- $ price: $9 to $22
- Quantity produced: 4,265,434
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
One of the key factors that drives coin value is rarity. Over 4 million proof silver dollars were produced in 1971 at San Francisco. So while the numbers are much lower than the mintage of regular dollars – especially those from other mint facilities – they aren’t rare.
The nature of proofs also means they’re easier to find at high grades.
They were made to high standards, using finely polished planchets and specially prepared dies. They were targeted at coin collectors, which means that most were looked after carefully. And that means that today, there’s still an abundance of good quality coins available to the market.
The fact that they’re not difficult to find keeps a lid on values. A proof 1971 silver dollar graded PR60 is worth less than $10. And even at the very highest grades, values are modest.
The finest examples graded by the PCGS are PR69. Well over 100 coins have made this grade – and chances are, there are plenty more out there. Today, the PCGS values them at just $22 each.
1971 S Proof Silver Dollar, Type 1 Reverse Value
- Type: Eisenhower dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: S
- Place of minting: San Francisco
- Year of minting: 1971
- Face value: $1
- $ price: Up to $9,500
- Quantity produced: Unknown
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
The reverse of the 1971 dollar shows an eagle clutching an olive branch, just above the surface of the moon. The Earth is visible in the background.
The depiction of the Earth varies on different versions of Eisenhower dollars. The 1971 silver dollar has two distinctive reverses, known as type 1 and type 2. Most of the coins known to exist are type 2. Indeed, it’s so common that it’s rarely even mentioned in coin descriptions.
But coins with the type 1 reverse are considerably rarer. In fact, only three have so far been graded by the independent coin assessors, the PCGS. But how can you tell if an ungraded coin has a type 1 or 2 reverse?
The design on the type 1 dollar coin is in lower relief. There’s more detail on the breast feathers of the eagle. And if you look at the surface of the Earth, you’ll see the Caribbean islands are clearly delineated.
Only a handful of type 1 coins have come to light. These include a cameo graded PR67. A cameo is a proof coin with an attractive contrast between glossy fields and frosted design elements.
A few deep cameos – coins with exceptional contrast – are also known to exist. These include four coins graded PR68 and valued by the PCGS at $6,000 apiece. But the finest known example is graded PR69. The PCGS values that silver dollar at $9,500.
Also Read: Top 21 Most Valuable 2000 P Sacagawea Dollar Coin Worth Money
History of the 1971 Silver Dollar
1971 saw the launch of the first ever Eisenhower dollars. These bore the image of the former president on the obverse, together with an eagle on the reverse.
Well over 160 million Eisenhower dollars were struck at the Mint facilities in Philadelphia and Denver. Those coins were made of copper clad in nickel. But the dollar coins struck that same year in San Francisco were different.
They had a core that was mainly copper, with about a fifth of silver mixed in. For the cladding, the proportions were reversed – 80% silver and 20% copper. The result was a coin with an attractive silver color.
The unusual difference followed considerable debate over what the coins should be made from. Rising bullion prices meant that many in Congress felt silver should no longer be used in coins. But others felt that using base metal would be an insult to Eisenhower’s memory.
The result was a compromise. The vast majority of coins were made from base metal, with a smaller number made using silver.
The San Francisco mint facility struck only silver coins, and produced both regular and proof dollars. There were over 6 million of the former, and 4 million of the latter.
The coins were designed by the Mint’s chief engraver, Frank Gasparro. The obverse was based on a sketch he had made of Eisenhower in 1945. He had taken his likeness at a parade to mark victory in the Second World War.
The reverse was based on a “mission patch”. This had been created by the astronauts Michael Collins, James Cooper and others, and commemorated the Apollo 11 moon landing. It showed an eagle about to land on the moon, an olive branch in its talons. Part of the Earth appears in the background.
The Eisenhower dollar was issued for only a few years. Its size and weight meant it proved unpopular for everyday use, and most ended up in casinos. In 1979, it was replaced by the Susan B. Anthony dollar.
Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Morgan Dollars Worth Money
1971 Silver Dollar Grading
Both silver and nickel dollars are dated 1971. So how do you tell the difference between them?
One way is to weigh them. A “silver” dollar (i.e. one with 80% silver cladding over a 21% silver core) will weigh 24.6 grams. A nickel coin will be slightly lighter, at 22.7 grams.
You may also be able to spot a nickel-clad dollar by looking closely at its edge. If you can see copper, your coin isn’t silver.
But when it comes to 1971 dollars, the easiest option is to look for a mint mark. San Francisco was the only mint facility to strike silver dollars in 1971. And it didn’t strike any nickel-clad dollars that year either.
So if your 1971 dollar has an “S” on the obverse, above the date, it’s a silver dollar.
When it comes to value, the next thing you need to know is the condition of your coin. Check out this YouTube video from The Potter’s Stacker to find out how to grade Eisenhower dollars.
1971 Silver Dollar Errors
1971 S Proof Silver Dollar, Obverse Double Struck
Sometimes a planchet is struck more than once by the same die. And if it moves between strikes, you’ll see a doubled image. That’s what happened with one 1971 silver dollar, which was struck twice by the obverse die.
As a result, it was possible to make out the word “WE” (part of the motto “In God We Trust”) at the base of Eisenhower’s neck. And a second outline of Eisenhower’s head could be seen too.
The coin was graded PR63 by the independent coin graders ANACS. Without the error, it would have been worth about $12. But with it, it sold at auction for over $4,000.
1971 S Silver Peg Leg
Amongst the dollars struck in San Francisco in 1971 are those known as “Peg Legs”. The name refers to the appearance of the letter “R” in “LIBERTY”.
It resulted from the obverse die having been over-polished. The serif (the pointy flourish) that should have appeared at the bottom of the “R”, was rubbed away. As a result, the stem of the R has a square bottom – a peg leg.
You’ll need a microscope or coin loupe to spot this, but it’s worth looking for. The PCGS lists this error as a separate variant, with the code FS-401. Values range from around $10 to $40 for circulated coins, depending on their condition.
A mint state coin graded MS60 is worth $50, increasing to $110 at MS65. And the finest known example is graded MS68 and worth around $6,750.
1971 S Re-punched Mint Mark
Some of the 1971 silver dollars struck at San Francisco had their mint marks re-punched. Look closely at the “S” that appears above the date to spot it. (You’ll definitely need a loupe or microscope for this.)
A coin with this error, graded MS67 by the PCGS, sold at auction for over $8,000.
1971 S Double Die
Double die errors occur during the manufacture of the dies used to strike the design onto the planchets. These have to be struck several times to capture all the detail. If the die moves between strikes, there’ll be a double image which is then transferred to the coins.
1971 silver dollars include examples of errors on both sides. And the better the condition of the coin, the more it will be worth.
One deep cameo proof coin with a double die error on the obverse, graded PR67 by the PCGS, sold at auction for over $1,400.
This YouTube video from Couch Collectables shows all these errors in detail.
FAQs
What makes a 1971 silver dollar rare?
Although fewer silver than nickel-clad dollars were produced in 1971, that doesn’t make them rare. Both regular and proof coins are readily available at most grades.
But coins with the Type 2 reverse are a whole lot rarer. They can be identified by the clearly defined Caribbean islands on the surface of the Earth. Error coins can be both rare and valuable too.
Is a 1971 silver dollar real silver?
1971 dollar coins from San Francisco are called silver. But while they contain precious metal, they’re not pure silver.
The core is made from 79% copper and 21% silver. That’s is clad in an outer layer comprised of 80% silver and 20% copper. That gives the whole coin a total silver content of 40%.
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