Help Needed For Building A Kennedy Collection

Many questions so lets start from the top.

Proof issues are only available from the San Francisco mint "s" after 1968. From 1968 to 1970 all "s" mint halves are 40% silver and all proof. There are also 40% "s" mint halves dated 1776-1976 in both proof and BU. In 1970 there was a 40% BU "d" half in a mint set but no "p" issues in that year.

Starting in 1971 until 1991 all halves were made in copper-nickle (excepting the prior mentioned 1776-1976 "s" silver 40%) Starting in 1992 there have been 90% silver halves issued annually in a silver proof sets, and there is also a copper-nickle proof set resulting in two proof Kennedy halves each year from 1992 to date.

As your husband is interested in silver (and your interest in silver quarters) I would suggest acquiring the silver proof sets issued from 1992 to date. in them the half, dime and quarters are 90% silver. The copper-nickle halves can be purchased separately but you may want to get them from mint sets (both p and d) The copper-nickle "s" can be found separately or in the yearly proof sets.

From what I can see the difference from a silver proof set and a premier proof set is merely the packaging from the mint; the coins I believe are the same. The prestige proof set will contain a commemorative coin either a half or dollar from that respective year. I think also that the prestige set only contains copper-nickle for the half, quarter and dime but may have silver for those after 1992. I have no prestige sets and they have not been issued since 1997 that I know of.

If you bought him the Dansco that holds the proofs, it will have a spot for the silver proof and the clad proof from 1992 to date. Except for the aforementioned 1976 aberations, all proofs from 1971-1991 are clad. You pretty much just fill the hole with what it calls for, the only decisions you have are about the grade of the coin, you get no choice on composition if you follow the labels on the holes.

I have a set of 2003 P&D clad halves up on ebay right now... nudge, nudge. Here's the link.

muddler pretty much explained it all.

I am not really sure what Dansco album you have. you said




I am hung up on the words "can hold proof issues as well"
It must be just your way of saying things ... I am thinking you have the Dansco 8166 that has holes for proofs and SMS coins.

The two Dansco albums I have, one is for "P and D" coins, the second has holes for proof issues and the BU "P and D" coins.

The first album was easy for me to complete, but the second album, with the proof coins has been a challenge.

Many of the early mints sets have been picked over, which for me makes it hard to find the 68 and 69 BU coins in good grades. Also for 65,66 and 67 there are only SMS sets, so that makes it hard to find the BU/non SMS, coins for those years. Then there is buying the 1992 to date silver proof sets, for just the half dollar gets expensive. I guess you can see I like to fill my Danscos from sets, but there are chances you can find the coins individually at a better price.

I would like to say that when these sets are completed with nice grade coins, they are very nice sets to have in your collection. I recently seen a completed BU/proof Dansco sell for $1200 at a local coin shop.

Here are my suggestions:
1. Take the time to look for a Red Book by Whitman Publishing. It will explain almost all the things you need to know about US coins.
2. Try places on line if you doh't have access to a coin store, hobby store, coin show for such books and coins.
3. Keep away from places like ebay unless you know what your doing and buying.
4. Do not purchase sets if you only want certain separate coins. However, individual coins from sets usually cost more.
5. There is a place called Wizard Coin Supply on the internet that many coin people say is one of the better, cheaper, most complete places to buy coins and stuff.
6. Get to know the real prices and values of each coin prior to buying them. Many use a web a web site called Numismedia.
7. Again such questions as Silver content, availability in dates, Minted in sets only, etc. are easily found in that Red Book.
8. As a just FYI only, you may want to check out the Whitman web site for other possible books and coin related items. Not a good place to buy from though since they prefer to sell to dealers in bulk. Individual sales are expensive.

In 65, 66 and 67 the mint did not make proof sets (or mint sets), but did make what they called a "Special Mint Set" that was proof-like. These coins have no mint marks and are distinguished only by having a brighter, better quality strike.

So for the 65,66,67 you guys are saying that I can get an SMS set but any other kennedys that year are all out in circulation? No other types of sets to pull from?