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 Replies: 41 / Views: 4,150 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
600 Posts |
Agree with others that specific gravity or xrf are the only ways to know for sure. Standard clad planchet should be 11.34 grams and the 40% silver planchet would be 11.44 grams. Unfortunately, the tolerance is ± 0.454 grams (but usually much closer), so weight isn't 100% reliable. Also unfortunately, there are 302 million clad examples and (so far) 1 silver example found, so it is best to not get your hopes up. If it was me, and the weight was 11.3 grams, I might hold on to the coin but probably wouldn't spend money on getting it tested.
Edited by captaincoffee
07/25/2020 10:40 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Weight isn't reliable as stated because the tolerance ranges for clad and 40% have a HUGE overlap. Chances are good it has been plated.
As mentioned specific gravity or an XRF gun test are going to be the only conclusive tests. SG of clad is 8.92 SG of 405 silver is 9.53 (SG tests should be done carefully because if you rush them it is easy to get and error, and they should be performed several times to make sure you are getting consistent results. that will help eliminate errors.)
An XRF test should be able to shoot through a silver plating so the key is going to be the amount of nickel it reports. It is anymore than just a mere trace you have a clad coin. A 40% silver coin could show a trace of nickel from being in contact with so many clad coins but the silver reading will be close to 80%. A plated clad coin could still show a high silver reading because most of what is read will be the plating, but if it penetrates the plating you should still get a reading of at least several % nickel. If it is not plated it should read 25% nickel.
Edited by Conder101
07/26/2020 6:15 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
A nice clear photo of the obverse and reverse wouldn't hurt either  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2271 Posts |
It could be 40% silver but it's a long shot.
That first picture looks clad.
Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5830 Posts |
Per John1 suggestion with the tissue test, it doesn't cost anything. Then I'd call and go to your LCS, ask if they have a Sigma Metalytics Precious Metal Verifier or some eqivalant device that can read your coin in question, the Pro version from their website has it even measure the thickness and completely through the sample, confirming the density whether is correct or not. And if you have a genuine silver 71-D half, the next step is to contact PCGS/NGC. |
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New Member
 25 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
8938 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3207 Posts |
Hold it a few inches above a hard surface, drop it, and listen for how it hings. Compare it to the sound of a 1964 half, one from after 1970, and one in between those years. Each alloy has a distinctive ring.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5830 Posts |
Doesn't help with new picture, as of now it is worth 50 cents in a capsule.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
I have one also from roll hunting back around 2010. Mine did not pass the tissue test. Will silver plate pass? Wondering. When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Moderator
 United States
188440 Posts |
Quote: Mine did not pass the tissue test. Will silver plate pass? I would think it would, but I have never tried. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5240 Posts |
Coins can very easily be silver plated. The appearance unfortunately proves nothing.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
Will silver plate pass? Wondering Since the tissue test is a surface testing only, yes a silver plated coin will respond the same way as a high fineness silver coin would. In fact it would probably show up even whiter than a 90% silver coin as the surface of a plated coin would be nearly 100% silver. The difference between the 80% silver surface of a 40% silver have is noticeably different than that of a 90% silver one, I would think the plated would also show different than the 90%. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2334 Posts |
At least you made $500 in tips : )
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Valued Member
United States
182 Posts |
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Posted 07/26/2020 6:14 pm
