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 Replies: 12 / Views: 4,514 |
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Press Manager
 United States
1420 Posts |
PCGS - It's often the case that when a collector is assembling a set of coins, they'll aim to buy the best they can afford. This is certainly true for collectors on the PCGS Set Registry, which usually awards those who own the finest sets. But to every rule there's an exception, and in recent years that quirk has come in the form of so-called Low-Ball sets. A Low-Ball set comprises coins of the lowest-possible grade one can find for the given issue. The concept emphasizes coins that are heavily worn but remain otherwise problem free; generally speaking, Low-Ball coins aren't necessarily holed, bent, or otherwise damaged - just exceedingly worn. Building such sets can prove remarkably challenging for a modern series like the Kennedy half dollar, which overall has seen relatively little widespread circulation.  Kennedy Half Dollar, 1968-D 50C, PCGS F2.he Kennedy half dollar has been in production since 1964, though it was made for circulation only through 2001. The reason the United States Mint stopped making Kennedy half dollars for circulation after that point is due to the coin's failure to circulate well; in recent decades this is mostly the case because people have been hoarding these coins largely on the incorrect conclusion that they are inherently worth more than face value. Of the circulating Kennedy half dollars, only the pre-1971 issues containing silver are worth more than 50 cents. Otherwise, all copper-nickel Kennedy halves sans collectible errors or varieties and made since 1971 are worth only face value if worn. That is, unless they contain unusually heavy wear; collectors of Low-Ball sets are ravenously seeking circulated Kennedy half dollars with excessive honest wear - that means no belt sanding! And finding Kennedy half dollars fitting that description can be a tall order to fill for the collector who might be "lucky" to find an XF40 or AU50 while searching through rolls or boxes from the bank. Read the Entire Article Check out this Kennedy Halves on ebay.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2953 Posts |
My most interesting lowball in my collection is my 1928-P Peace dollar in AG-3, and I had it on the post your lowball coins on this site. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3207 Posts |
The 1968-D half pictured is unlikely to have become that smoothly worn solely via normal circulation, even stuck in a casino for years. Generally, the lowest grade halves to be found are ones that spent much time in slot machines, and they exhibit not smooth wear on obverse and reverse but rather a characteristic distortion of devices that comes from coins bashing into each other randomly and repeatedly.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
Agree with nick10 - no way did that half see enough circulation to result in that kind of wear. Clad coins in general don't wear down to that point like silver coins used to.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Just too easy to fake - grind it down finely, then let in calm down for a time in your pocket.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
561 Posts |
To echo Jbuck Quote:
The low-ball collector still intrigues me but that's about the extent of it, just some intrigue. For me personally, I keep trying to understand the lowball collector but it just isn't for me. A nice circulation cameo? Oh yeah, I'd take one of those all day, but if the details are gone gone I aint want it  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3171 Posts |
The outer clad layer on a 68D half is 80% Silver 20% Copper.
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Moderator
United States
15392 Posts |
I was a dedicated low ball collector for quite a while. For me, the challenge was finding honestly worm, problem free examples of very well circulated coins. My Peace dollars, Barber halves and Walking Liberty halves were each at one time the PCGS #1 lowball sets. I have since moved on and have sold or am selling most of my low ball coins. I intend to continue to purse my set of circulated classic silver commemoratives, not really a low ball set as most of the examples simply did not get that much wear. Here is an example I came across in a dealers junk bin and had certified during my low ball acquisition days : 1964 Kennedy half - PCGS FR02 Quote:
I have a low-ball Ike I remember that one jbuck.  Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
A nice circulation cameo? Oh yeah, I'd take one of those all day Oh yes!  Quote:I remember that one jbuck. A cherished gift to this day. Thank you!   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3207 Posts |
that's so worn Ike looks bald, oh wait
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
that's so worn Ike looks bald, oh wait   |
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Valued Member
United States
83 Posts |
I am new at this but that's an awe full looking coin.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 4,514 |
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Posted 03/19/2021 6:47 pm
