1977-D Silver Half - Call Me Crazy!

I thought I read there were some 77 40% halves made in error. Maybe you have one, What is the weight? It should weigh 11.5 gr. 11.34 gr would be a normal non silver half.

"Let me preface this by saying, I have searched tens of thousands of half dollars" of course I did the drop test. It rings like a 40% and if I shift the coin in the right light I can just make out the copper line. I do not have a scale (or a popsicle stick) so I will have to get back to you on the weight.

from the link above

"The Red Book notes in its introduction to the Kennedy series that silver clad errors exist for 1971D and 1977D "

jesus if this is so , you might be a richer man !

1971 and 1977 are the years that one would expect could produce such errors since they follow a year where 40% half dollars were minted (all of the early ones were minted in Denver, I am not sure but I think that all of the bicentennial silver was also minted there). Weight is the most definitive test. Drop sound and other anecdotal tests are not conclusive. While the existence of a copper core clearly means a coin is clad, the lack of visible copper is not proof of silver. Take your coin to a dealer, jeweler, or pawn shop and ask them to weigh it for you. Any of these are likely to have a scale capable of determining the difference. To be sure, take along some known clad and 40% coins to also weigh. This will hopefully clearly show which group the coin in question belongs to.

Looks normal CuNi clad to me...but hope I'm wrong for your sake.

Let us know what you find out. This is very interesting.

To my eyes, CuNi clad and silver clad look quite different and that one appears to be CuNi. Weight is almost useless when the tolerances of two coins overlap. Specific gravity would be a much better test as would the tissue test. Even though the Kennedys are only 40% silver, they are clad with the outer layer 80/20 AgCu while the core is 20/80 AgCu.

For the tissue test, place a single layer tissue over a known silver coin- notice that the coin shines bright white through the tissue. Then place the tissue over a known CuNi coin- it will appear dark grey. Rinse and repeat for the half dollar in question and you have you answer.

Uploaded video so you can see what I see and hear what I hear. '77d is the bottom silver one and I included a '66 just for referance. In the video you will hear it and then a slight pause. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27au66HXwxY

Also included a few more photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/1074358...jzK_5hM2dag#