The United States minted a half-dollar coin featuring President John F. Kennedy starting in 1964. Coins produced in 1971, bearing this design, contained a clad composition of copper and nickel, differing from the silver content present in earlier years of the series. These coins were widely circulated and remain readily available to collectors and the general public.
The 1971 issue holds significance due to its representing a transition in coinage composition. While not containing silver like its predecessors from 1964-1970 (excluding some special issues), the historical context of its production within the Kennedy series contributes to numismatic interest. Its relative abundance and affordability make it accessible for those beginning to collect coins or seeking examples of US currency from that era.