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 Replies: 16 / Views: 9,944 |
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
Hello I am a new member and I am not a very experienced or big collector. But I have this coin and I am very curious if I am correct about the silver content and curious about the value of it. It's a 1971 D Kennedy half dollar and the reason I am pretty sure that it's silver is the sound it makes when you drop it on a hard surface. I have heard about the weight difference and that's not completely 100% accurate or reliable. Most digital scales aren't very accurate and wear, and other things can change the weight. But I have ot her silver coins that I am sure of the silver content and they all have a distinctive "ring" to them when dropped. And the 1971 half dollar in question has the same sound. So please let me know if you think I am right and what I should do next to get it identied and ultimately sold to a collector who will appreciate a very rare coin like this. I am needy not greedy and would like to make some money but I will leave whomever buys it plenty of room to make good profit as well. I will include a picture which is a little fuzzy but shows it is in pretty good shape. Thank you very much for your time, advice, response and help.   Edited by Nissan97
02/21/2021 12:14 am
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Valued Member
United States
440 Posts |
It's possible that's it's plated, but it's really to tell with that picture, frankly. Do you think you could get some better ones? Best is directly above the coin, try a white background, crop out all the excess, front and back.
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Valued Member
United States
440 Posts |
Also  You've come to the right place to learn about coins! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
A 40%-silver clad coin (1965 - 1970) should weigh 11.50 grams. Your 1971-D copper-nickel clad coin should weigh 11.34 grams. Look at the edge of your coin for the clad layer, or if you cannot tell, take it to your local coin shop. Bonne chance.  to the CCF!  |
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New Member
 United States
3 Posts |
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
Here's a little better picture, sorry I hope this helps. Also I can see the layering on the edge but I understand that a 40% coin has a center that is 90% copper and only 10%silver, so on a coin like that would I still be able to see the layers or sandwiching?
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
5394 Posts |
Two options on your Clad Half . Certification at a TPG or for 10 bucks XRF at a Coin shop or jeweller . Good luck , but I don't like your chances . |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
to CCF. Going by your pics it does not look silver. Options: tissue test,TPG,or XRF. But as I said it does not look silver,so I am thinking it is not. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6569 Posts |
Quote:
I understand that a 40% coin has a center that is 90% copper and only 10%silver The outer layer is .800 silver and .200 copper in inner core is .209 silver and .791 copper . You should not be able to see the "sandwiching" After I looked, I guess you can see that a little Edited by Keith67
02/21/2021 05:41 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5244 Posts |
Quote:
Most digital scales aren't very accurate and wear, and other things can change the weight I do not agree. Most digital scales are quite accurate and can easily be checked (calibrated) with coins of known weight. The ring test (by ear) in my view is far less reliable than a weight test-too subjective. There are free Apps you can get to check the ring tone with your phone-and can easily compare with a known 40 % silver coin. I see no point spending money on an XRF when there are better free options to use at first. Edited by oriole
02/21/2021 10:26 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4135 Posts |
dropping coins to hear a sound? Is that a good idea? what about possible damage.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19167 Posts |
Better photos needed--sharp/in focus, high resolution--both sides of coin and an end-on shot of the rim. Thanks.
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Moderator
United States
96451 Posts |
to CCF better pictures would help. Diffuse lighting shot from directly above and in better focus, please. |
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Pillar of the Community
2145 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5832 Posts |
If you have another Kennedy half, the best as John1 suggesting a tissue test, will not cost you anything except a single ply of tissue. Verify whether it passed or not. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5394 Posts |
The only DEFINITIVE test .... XRF , TPG . The rest is guess work . |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 9,944 |
Posted 02/20/2021 11:30 pm
