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 Replies: 36 / Views: 8,621 |
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
Hello! Is it possible for a 1971-D Kennedy half dollar to have some silver in it? My great uncle gave me one years ago and I've held onto it as a family heirloom. I did the ice test, comparing it to a 1999 Kennedy that I have, and it clearly melted a lot faster. Also, I put a drop of chlorine on both and the 1971-D tarnished almost instantly. It weighs slightly more than the 1999 and is thicker, but both have some brown on the sides, so I know it's not all silver or even 40%. The 1971-D also has a dull surface while the 1999 is very shiny. Anybody know if it's possible for the 1971-D to have a little bit of silver in it?      Edited by Cass1260
08/22/2017 10:36 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
744 Posts |
A few of the 1971-D and 1977-D were struck in Silver/Clad composition by error.
If you have an accurate scale, the regular weighs 11.34 grams.... If its the clad/40% it will weigh different, more like 11.50
In that case I would send it in to NGC or PCGS and have it graded... Nice find!
Edited by mtuma3
08/21/2017 10:17 pm
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New Member
 United States
19 Posts |
Really? Is it possible that it has some silver in it?
How does the grading work?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
744 Posts |
If it really is the error coin, it could be valuable (maybe $400 to $500 - I haven't seen one for sale in ages)
NGC.com or PCGS.com both have detailed instructions on submitting coins.
I would wait for some more knowledgeable people than me to weigh in opinions...
Do not do any more tests or try to clean it !
Edited by mtuma3
08/21/2017 10:22 pm
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Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
Thank you! I'll check it out.
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
Is there a sure way to tell if it has any silver in it other than sending it to NGC?
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
744 Posts |
I was doing some research and from what I can tell, the majority of the 71 errors do not show any clad on the rims, but supposedly 1 coin was graded silver with the clad edge.
Don't know what to advise, hate to see you spend money on a $3 coin if it doesn't pan out.
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
Lol... Me too! I really don't know either. My great uncle, who willed it to me, worked for the government and lived in the DC area until he passed away suddenly. I never understood why he held onto this coin in particular. I thought maybe the date had some significance to him, because it was in a jewelry box along with other sintemenal things. He never said.
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2403 Posts |
 to the CCF!! If you are unsure of what you have, I would take it to a local coin shop where you live and see what they say before I sent it in to be graded. Quote:
I did the ice test, comparing it to a 1999 Kennedy that I have, and it clearly melted a lot faster. Also, I put a drop of chlorine on both and the 1971-D tarnished almost instantly. While both of these test are new to me, they don't sound very healthy for the coins and could hurt the value. I would not try this again on any coin. Edited by MontCollector
08/22/2017 12:32 am
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New Member
United States
19 Posts |
Oops.. I didn't know. I watched a YouTube video on "how to tell what composition your coin is made of". It said that silver would tarnish quickly, whereas copper would not, and to put a drop of chlorine on it to tell the difference. If it's silver, it will tarnish (but can be polished back to normal) and if it's not, it won't do anything. Hence the pictures with the chlorine in both of them! Also that silver would melt ice quickly. I put a piece of ice on both coins. The 1971-D melted 5 times faster than the 1999. Yikes.. Shouldn't have done that, but I didn't think either coin had any value (beside sentimental) until I did.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
927 Posts |
Your great uncle probably though this coin was silver (or at least something was different) and that is why it was kept in a separate box. Can you post a closeup picture of the edge of the coin? That might help decide.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Have you tried the "tissue test?" John1  |
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Replies: 36 / Views: 8,621 |
Posted 08/21/2017 10:08 pm
