1971 Kennedy Half Dollar and 1978 Eisenhower Dollar

This pair of United States currency includes a 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar and a 1978 Eisenhower One Dollar coin. The Kennedy Half Dollar, featured on the left, is composed of a copper-nickel clad over a pure copper core, standard for the post-silver era of 1971. It measures approximately 30.6mm in diameter and displays the left-facing profile of President John F. Kennedy. The 1978 Eisenhower Dollar on the right, measuring approximately 38.1mm, also features a copper-nickel clad composition. It depicts the profile of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Both coins exhibit significant circulation wear, including surface abrasions, overall dullness, and a dark, uneven patina particularly concentrated around the legends and rims. The rims show signs of edge dings and minor flattening. Neither coin appears to have a visible mint mark in this orientation (which would be located above the date on the Eisenhower and on the obverse above the date for the 1971 Kennedy half, though clarity is low). These are common circulation-grade business strikes from the late 20th century. The condition suggests they have spent a considerable amount of time in active trade, lacking the luster of uncirculated specimens.

I have completed a visual examination of the 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar and 1978 Eisenhower Dollar. Both pieces are confirmed as standard copper-nickel clad 'business strikes' intended for general circulation. The 1971 half dollar contains no silver, as the 40% silver composition ended in 1970. The 1978 Eisenhower dollar is likewise a base-metal strike. Both coins exhibit heavy circulation wear, significant surface abrasions, and a dark oxidation layers consistent with prolonged handling. These are extremely common dates with mintage figures in the hundreds of millions. In the current numismatic market, specimens in this condition lack the 'mint state' luster or rare mint errors required to command a collector premium. They are generally valued at their face value. While the owner mentioned 'Silver Dollars,' physical assessment confirms these are the clad variants rather than the silver-clad collector versions struck at the San Francisco mint. Limitations: A laboratory scale would be required to verify exact weights to rule out counterfeit planchets, though the wear patterns are consistent with authentic US Mint issues. Authentication of specific mint marks would require high-resolution macro photography, though it would not significantly alter the valuation of these specific dates in circulated condition.