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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,719 |
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Pillar of the Community
708 Posts |
Okay, I finally have a "collector" type of question on a coin, instead of a circulation question.  I have a 1971 Kennedy half that looks almost like a silver clad half on the reverse, and the obverse has lines going through the silver-looking metal and it is light looking like silver, but looks more like stainless steel. My 7 Eleven clerk friend said it looks like someone may have just been messing around and machine shopped it. It DOES gave the "copper" core, so I am pretty dang sure its not a 40% and definitely not a 90% silver. I guess you could say it looks satin-like on both sides, but more silver-like on the reverse. So, what can you guys tell me about this half? Is it a keeper? Sorry, don't have the equipment to post pictures  , but, don't some collector sets come with satin stainless steel-looking copper clad coins? Edited by Fox
12/11/2013 07:20 am
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Stainless coins really do have a different metallic sheen to cupro nickel coins. Generally, they tend to look more blue in color.
The alloy is mostly composed of iron and is harder than copper nickel. The result is that the designs of SS coins tend to be shallower to preserve die life.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
A stainless steel coin will also have a lower weight and lower specific gravity than a coppernickel clad coin.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I doubt you have a Stainless Steel coin. And just for information purposes, there are virtually hundreds of varieties of Stainless Steel. This is why places like Pakistan and China can easily put the words Stainless Steel on almost anything. All they have to do is add a few drops of Nickel to a batch of Steel and then they can call it Stainless Steel. As many people have found out, some so called Stainless Steel does not only stain, but tarnishes, tones, corrodes, rots and almost anything. Some Stainless Steels are made NON magnetic so they can be used in hospitals, giving birth to the phase Surgecal Stainless Steel.
Such extensive differences in the types, makes it really difficult to say Stainless Steels will look blue, have a certain weight, etc.
A thing used in many places to demonstrate an auto polish is to use it on a coin. This demonstration leaves a coin looking like either Stainless Steel or even a Proof.
Edited by just carl
12/11/2013 4:10 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1003 Posts |
I doubt it is stainless steel, like Conder101 and just carl said.
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Pillar of the Community
 708 Posts |
Guys,
I "know" this is NOT a "stainless steel" coin. I just said it "looked" that way. I've never even heard of a stainless steel coin from any country, however, I thought I've heard of "satin" finished proof set coins. Now, do those exist?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Oh lots of countries have made stainless steel coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
613 Posts |
Fox, the US Mint used a satin finish on its uncirculated sets from 2005-2010, a very limited edition Kennedy half in 1998 and I think a few other items in recent years, but I do not believe they were messing around with various finishes way back in '71. Most likely, some kind of Post Mint damage. |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,719 |
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Posted 12/11/2013 11:54 am
