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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,261 |
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Valued Member
United States
320 Posts |
I just picked up a 1965 SMS set, still in the mylar packaging. The half dollar looks like it is 90%, ie no band of copper on the edge. I do know they were striking silver and clad coinage at the same time that year, so it is possible. I did the tissue test, comparing it to a 1966 set which is 40% silver, and the 65 is brighter so I think it might actually be a silver planchet! How cool would that be?   So, I was wondering if there's some other way to confirm composition.... like maybe weighing another 65 SMS set in mylar for comparison? I know I could break it out of there, but I hate to do that unnecessarily. I mean it has been there for 47 years, and I am not averse to taking it out I kind of feel it takes something away. Like in archaeology, you want everything to be in itu as much as possible. I'll probably break it out anyway, as that's the only way to be 100% but suggestions are welcome. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1903 Posts |
I have many 1965 Kennedy halves that are silver clad and show no copper on the rim. The ones I have are all 40%ers. A 90% weighs almost a full gram more than a 40%. Lincoln Cent 3.11 grams Jefferson nickel 5.00 grams Roosevelt dime 2.27 grams Washington quarter 5.67 grams Kennedy half 40% 11.5 grams Kennedy half 90% 12.5 grams So a 40% clad set should weigh 27.5ish grams and the 90% set 28.5 grams Just remember that these are never exact with any individual coin and you have to take into account the weight of the packaging, but I would feel safe saying that if the set weighs less than 28.5 grams it is clad for sure. I don't know if there is any other items such as a token or such in the packaging as well and I have no way of knowing what it would weigh. Hope this helps |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Perhaps you could try the ring test through the Mylar....?
You still may be able to get away with gently tapping the coin on the edge and comparing that with a known control coin.
We numismatists are really on the first step to being mad scientists, you know!
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Valued Member
 United States
320 Posts |
My set is 30.35 grams including the packaging and plastic medallion-thing.
But you're right, each coin in either my set or the comparison could be off a little-- and this puts the cumulative margin of error too far off to really know. Guess I will have to pull it out of there after all.
edit--- the ring test! Of course! Will do that shortly... right now the wife says it's bedtime.
Edited by Secret Argent Man
12/30/2011 12:46 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1903 Posts |
I know this may sound silly, but if the half is in the corner of the packaging, could you just put that part on the scale and weigh the half? You should see the weight if you support the rest of the package and lower it onto the scale until there is some slack in the Mylar around the half
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
unholyroller - Not with any level of accuracy.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1903 Posts |
So....any word? I am eager to hear! I am thinking more and more you might just have a winner there. Wonder what a 90% 65 Kennedy would be worth in that condition! I would do everything possible to get a weight without pulling it from the Mylar. That way if you had I graded it could say it was from a SMS set!
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Take multiple images of you removing it, and bust it out. You'll never get an accurate weight weighing packaging.
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Valued Member
United States
320 Posts |
So, I took it out and... it is 11.49 grams.  I had myself convinced! |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,261 |
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Posted 12/30/2011 12:35 am
