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Posted 05/12/2014 09:55 am
Quote:
On the 1965-1970 halves the rim look silver with no copper showing
On the 1965-1970 halves the rim look silver with no copper showing
Except for those that do. MS pieces usually don't show the clad layering, but circulated pieces often do because the low fineness core darkens more the high fineness outer layers.
As I have said many times you can't use weight as a definitive test to tell clad and 40% silver halves apart. The tolerance range on both are to broad with too much overlap. A CuNi clad half can weigh anywhere from 10.88 grams to 11.79 grams. A 40% silver half can weigh from 11.1 grams to 11.9 grams. So a half dollar that weighs between 11.1 grams to 11.8 grams could potentially be either one.
The only way to be really sure which it is would be the XRF or a specific gravity test.
A 40% silver 1972 D would be VERY unlikely since the mint didn't make that many planchets in 1970 (only needed for collector sets) and none were made in 1971. While an old planchet could have been stuck in a tote bin or in a press somewhere for two years it is very unlikely.
I'll have to give this some more thought.
