JFK Half Dollar Roll Hunters: Silver, Proofs And Other Finds

This might help or might not, but here goes nothin. The proof makes a deeper ping sound when I flip it or drop it then one of the eighties or nineties ones, or is that just because it's a proof? What's a good way to tell? Thanks,- brad

Ouch! you must really be a newbie! Please don't do that to your coins. You decrease their condition, therefore decrease the value. A proof coin is a special minting process that uses specially polished dies and planchets (blank coin) and is usually struck more than once. That is what gives them the mirror like finish. If you look at the edge of the coins, you will notice that the franklin is all one color (probably darker...but all one color) that is because the silver 90% is mixed with 10% copper and the resulting metal is all one color..silver colored, but it can darken with age. The newer halves after 1971 are clad. the edges look 2 colored, copper in the middle and nickel on the outside. The 1968d are a silver clad. the edges are usually whiter and have a darker center...which is the copper showing through. If your 1976 edge looks more like the 1968d, than they do the later dates, then it is probably a silver proof.

By the way...Welcome to the forum. You will find alot of information here. It's pretty quiet on here tonight, but there are alot of people here that have been collecting for years. Did you figure out if the 1976 was silver? Once you've handled enough silver coins, you'll be able to spot them from a distance. You can notice the difference in color from the 1968d's and the rest of your Kennedys.

I can pretty much tell it's silver because it doesn't really have a copper color on the rim

Great! you did pretty well with those 5 rolls of halves! I've gone through alot of halves in the last 2 weeks and didn't find much. A little helpful advice. If you got those halves from a bank....go get more! And don't return what you don't keep to the same bank. (you don't want to go through them again)

It really depends on the bank. Some banks are really friendly and helpful, and some are not. I had a bank order me one good box, and then refuse to order me anymore. Also, If they do order you a box...do not take them back to the same bank! that will definately make them mad. Also I've found that any bank is really glad to get rid of their halves. I walk in and ask, and they give me all I want. Sometimmes it really pays off, and sometimes it doesn't. I bought 11 rolls from a bank about 2 weeks ago that had 29 40%, and 1 90%. In these hard times, people are turning in halves that they have been saving for years. I've been buying halves by the box from a new bank that has been a pleasure to deal with...Unfortunately I have been through 4 boxes and found no silver.

First off, If you got these at a bank, go back to same bank and get more. You did pretty good! If there are alot of banks around, get a routine up and try hitting them at least once a week and grab all you can. Buying by the box can be rewarding...but also can be a big let down. With your limited funds, I would go for customer wrapped rolls (already at the banks). You may get really lucky and find an older hoard that somebody recently turned in. Find one or two places to "dump" the ones you don't want. And buy more! I wish you luck in your quest for the monster hoard of silver!

if a forty percent silver one is all junky, green and nasty should I still keep it?