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 Replies: 24 / Views: 3,006 |
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
I have a question that needs the wisdom of the forum members. I have been collecting for about three years; spending every extra dollar I have on coins and silver bullion (My wife hates it  ). I had a completed Kennedy Dansco and decided to upgrade to the proof only album. I'm in the process of filling the holes but I do not know how to differentiate between a proof and a silver proof (issued 1992 on). I buy most of my numismatics from ebay and my bullion from my LCS, so how would I be able to tell the two coins apart if buying them off ebay? Is there any other marking on the coin to show it is silver? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1358 Posts |
The edges on the silver coins will be pure silver, no copper sandwich  On ebay, I suppose you could ask for the weight of the coin as well. There is a slight difference in surface color, but probably not enough to be reliable in pictures. Edited by coinsearcher83
07/19/2012 4:26 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
538 Posts |
The best way would be weight. The silver proofs should be 12.5 grams and the clad proofs should be 11.34 grams. According to my Red Book. If anyone knows otherwise please chime in. |
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Valued Member
 United States
161 Posts |
Thanks for your quick answers
I wouldn't be unable to see a copper sandwich as both coins are proof, but only one is silver.
The weight is a good idea, I wouldn't be able to weigh it until it is already in hand though. I was even thinking about buying the complete mints sets and just taking out the Kennedy's, but that would be pricey.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1817 Posts |
Use the tissue test, the CN half shows up as dark, whereas the silver coin shows up as white. Have never done it through flips or 2x2s, but you should be able to check the edge without opening the holder. |
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Moderator
 United States
188061 Posts |
 By the way, notice how typing tissue test automatically links to information on how to do it.  For the record, it works like a champ with the coins in my Dansco albums (through the plastic slides). |
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
The tissue test has worked for me in the past, but I was looking for more of a way to tell prior to having the coin in hand. I suppose I could just find someone reputable on ebay and test it once I get the coin....or do you guys think I would be better off just buying the mint sets? |
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Moderator
United States
188061 Posts |
You will have to verify in hand. There are no distinguishing marks. Even if they posted photos of the edge, they could still lie.
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
This album is going to be a pain...I should have just stuck with the regular Dansco. Thanks for your help everyone.
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
The tissue test saved my sanity. When I first started collecting all I collected was Morgans. Then I read about all the counterfits made in China and I freaked. I did a weight tests, caliper tests, looked at the coins with a loop, still I was not satisfied until I did a tissue test. It seems like something made up, but it really works!! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3755 Posts |
I have been working on mine for over a year now. This is one heavy and expensive album to complete. I would highly recommend Modern Coin Mart and John Scanlon Coins. Those are my two main sources on ebay. Scanlon single handedly finished off both of my Ike albums. |
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Valued Member
United States
349 Posts |
Never heard of the tissue test. Learn something everyday here. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12817 Posts |
Quote:
Learn something everyday here. That's the truth, plain and simple. I have been a member of this family for a little over a year now (I think) and I do learn something nearly every day that I read and post. It's such a wonderful way to learn about coins. See? The Internet is good for something besides porn. Edited by CelticKnot
07/20/2012 02:29 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
Wow, can't think of how many hours I've spent trying to figure out whether certain foreign coins were silver and the whole time the answer was in my bathroom!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12817 Posts |
er... what are you weighing in your bathroom?
I don't want to really know what my beer gut weighs to the pound, let alone down to the gram...
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Replies: 24 / Views: 3,006 |
Posted 07/19/2012 4:28 pm
