Please turn the coin over and check the denomination on the back. It's a 50¢ piece, not a dollar.
1961 is not a hard date to come by for Franklin half dollars. Actually all Franklin half's (1948-1963) regardless of mintmark are common and most circulated coins are valued for the silver only, about $12.00
At current silver prices, a '61 Franklin half is worth just under $10.
Current retail value is $8.00
A U.S. fifty cent piece dated 1961 is a Franklin half dollar. The coin is not rare, if it shows any wear the value is about $12.00 just for the silver.
Turn the coin over and look at the denomination on the back. It's a half dollar.
That's Ben Franklin, not Thomas Jefferson, and it's worth about $13 as of 28 Feb. 2012.
It's a common date, currently worth just under $10.
As of 02/2009, about $6 for its silver content.The coin is very common, most are only valued for the silver, about $12.00
Unless your coin is in absolutely top condition it is only worth $11 in 90% silver scrap.
About $2.00 just for the silver
4-13-11>> So many were made that most are valued for the silver, about $13.00
That would be really interesting because the first Franklin halves weren't struck until 1948.If you have a 1963 half, it's worth about $6 for its metal content.If you have something else please post a new question with more details to help ID it. Please don't assume anything about the design because confusion can make it more difficult to ID.