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 Replies: 15 / Views: 4,132 |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
I have come across a 1965 Kennedy half dollar that I have held onto for years because of its unique shine and rarity. I have been collecting old coins since I was young and I don't know what to make of this one. I cannot seem to find anything online as to others like it being found or sold either. It looks and sounds (when dropped) just like all my pre-1964 dollars and halves. Can someone help me? This is what it looks like... |
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New Member
 United States
4 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
57 Posts |
DawnJCl - your 1965 looks like it found it's way out of a Special Mint Set, sets issued 1965, 1966 and 1967 have that special, extra shiny finish on them.
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
 to the Community! I split your post out from the other topic. It should stand on its own for further discussion.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6478 Posts |
looks like a special mint set coin. too bad it will not look like that forever now. Because you touched the surface like that in the 1st picture, it will develop a huge finger print on it.
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
If it was from a certain mint set, would it have some mint mark distinguished on it? I am waiting for a friend tomorrow with a scale to weigh it? I did the Popsicle stick test with a '64 on the other end and it balances....my grandpa used to lean coins to make them shine, maybe this was one that he made shine. This one has no mint mark and totally sounds as if it was silver....transitional error? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1601 Posts |
There's supposed to be a gram difference between the '64 (12.5 g) and later (11.5 g) but of the silver-clad coins I've measured, that 11.5 is generous. But I suspect you knew that. For your sake, I hope it's heavy. I have not weighed a 1965 from a SMS. And as SSK says, please handle by the rims and don't try to polish off any fingerprints or clean it in any way. If you send it to a TPG, they have ways of knowing it's been cleaned.  |
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Valued Member
United States
288 Posts |
I see that you are hopeful that this was a 90% planchet that was left over from the 1964 strikes and was struck as 1965 in 90% silver. That would indeed be a rare error. While holding by the rim, examine the entire edge for the evidence of cladding. Also the 1 gram difference, but a balance scale isn't best. Weigh it on a digital gram scale or triple beam scale for an accurate weight. Since it is uncirculated, it would have to be exactly 12.5 grams. If the rim is the same as a '64 and the weight is 12.5 grams, you have something worth sending to a TPG and worth quite a bit. How much is up for debate, because I have never heard of that occurring with any metal transitions other than the bronze-steel and steel-bronze LWC transitions from 1943 and 1944. |
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Valued Member
United States
288 Posts |
Your other question about Special Mint Sets and a special mint mark, no, all were made in Philadelphia and had no identification to distinguish them from regular strikes other than being polished more.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1601 Posts |
This has come up before. Check out cladking's post in this thread: |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Okay so my friend weighed it and it bounces 12.4 to 12.5. What is your best suggestion of a TPG to which I should send it and how does that work? (Fingers crossed) |
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Valued Member
United States
288 Posts |
Go to http://www.ANACS.com or http://www.ngc.com or http://www.pcgs.com and all 3 offer a form for submittal of your coin and how much it will cost. You could also bring it to a local coin dealer to have them send it in, but some people have trust issues with them. Personally, I would do it myself and ensure you put in the form that you think it is struck on a 90% planchet. You have yourself a gem there. Do NOT try to clean it, fingerprints and all are now part of its value and it is what it is. |
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
Couldn't it simply be plated? That would account for extra shininess and the extra weight.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1119 Posts |
 Please keep us updated as to how this turns out |
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Valued Member
United States
288 Posts |
Plating wouldn't add a tenth of a gram. I was once told by a smelter that you can silver plate 1000 items with just one ounce of silver.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
It does look like you have a interesting coin.
Some good to know information
Coins dated 1965 through 1967 did not have mint marks.
(even if they were minted in Denver or San Francisco)
The mint put out Special mint set (SMS) 1965, 1966 and 1967.
SMS coins are almost proof like.
1965 through 1970 Half dollars are suppose to be a
40% silver clad coin.
If I remember right there have been 1971 and 1977
40% half dollars found, but not very many.
There also been 1944 steel cents found.
So I guess it is possible that there could be a
90% 1965 half dollar.
They were making 1964 90% Half dollars into 1966.
My first suggestion would be to stop touching the
coin on the faces, and give the coin a acetone bath.
To have it graded, it might be easier to take it to
a trusted coin dealer, let them check it out.
And maybe they could send it in for you.
If you post what area you are in, someone here might
be able to suggest a good dealer or coin show to take
it to.
Another option is to call NGC, tell them what you might
have, possible 90% 1965 half dollar, and see what they
suggest.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 4,132 |
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Posted 10/31/2015 5:30 pm
