Based on the provided sources, the 1971 dollar is identified as an Eisenhower Dollar, which was minted from 1971 to 1978. Understanding the value of a 1971 dollar requires determining which version of the coin you have, as most were not made of silver.
The vast majority of 1971 Eisenhower dollars intended for circulation were made of a copper-nickel clad composition and contain no silver. These coins were minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver ("D" mint mark) and are typically only worth their face value of one dollar if they are worn. In pristine, uncirculated condition, they might be worth a few dollars to a collector.
However, the U.S. Mint did produce special collector versions in 1971 that contain silver. These coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint and can be identified by an "S" mint mark on the obverse, just below President Eisenhower's neck. These collector coins consist of a 40% silver-clad composition. Their base value is tied to the current market price of silver, often referred to as their "melt value," which is typically in the range of $8 to $12, depending on the daily fluctuations of the silver market.
These 1971-S silver dollars were sold to collectors in two formats: a proof version with a mirror-like finish and an uncirculated version with a standard mint luster. Both versions carry a premium above their silver melt value, with their exact worth depending on their condition and original packaging. In general, you can expect a 1971-S Eisenhower silver dollar to be worth between $10 and $20.
