1918 Canadian Fifty Cent Coin

I think that this coin is just oxidized. Not worth too much more than scrap value I would say.

and it should be sterling which is 92.5%

I've seen counterfeit GeoV half's struck in lead, I would say it is not impossible for it to be a counterfeit struck in copper.

dbm you make a good point. that could be possible. according to canadian coins catalogue. this coin should be made up of.925 of silver and .075 of copper. this coin is like it has a very thin layer of silver. the coin is supose to be 2.0 mm thick. I measured it the thickness is 1.72mm thick. I dont have a scale to weight it but it is heavy. I am going to purchase this coin. I was given a 1918 quarter today. these coins are not made out of the same metal. yet the catalogue says they should be. this 1918 fifty cent piece has way to much copper. well it looks real. I know that dont mean that it is. I know that this collection had be in that gentleman hands for a very long time. thank you all so much for your input.

rocky, I can't stop you from purchasing it, but unless it's fairly cheap I would recommend that you don't. It is highly unlikely that it is, in fact, an error.

Pacificoin I agree with you. the only differents is that this coin has a lot more copper in its make up. like some of the coins that DBM posted here. I would imagine that there is higher levels than normal of copper. there no way in 1918. that they could mix these metal. that it be perfect 93% silver and 7% copper. so all this coin is is one with a lot more copper in its make up. I just thought it might be worth a little more value. because of the higher copper level.

OK, so I understand why you want to buy the coin, but what reason do you have to believe the composition is wrong? In 1918 they did have the ability to correctly mix the metals fairly precisely, and it sounds like the main reason you have is the coin's color, which doesn't tell you much about composition. I see that the reverse does look a bit like the color of old copper, but there are plenty of explanations, including (as others here have suggested) toning and the possibility of a counterfeit.
If you want to buy it, by all means do that, but I really think this is a crapshoot.

I think I would rather draw to 20 at a Black Jack Table in a major casino, than buy this obviously normal well worn half.
The chances of this XRF ing at any thing other than sterling silver is about nil. It is your money, and it sounds like you have already talked your self in to it. Good Luck!