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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,298 |
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
Hi I got a 1980 P JFK Half Dollar today. It appears to be different. Does anyone know of any strange 1980 JFK Half Dollars out there. I'm not sure if it is "fake" or something else. I have handled/seen alot of JFK's and something about this one doesn't seem right. (it reminds me alot of the War Nickels). I don't have scale to weigh coin. Any thoughts?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1807 Posts |
Looks normal. Do you have another coin that you can do the balancing act with?
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Valued Member
 United States
74 Posts |
Yes, I did balance test. It weighs less then "normal JFk" but more then 1967 Silver. I also did tissue test with tissue test, but silly me I cant tell difference between silver and not silver. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
That is why you put a known silver coin on one side and the one you want to check on the other side.  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
Looks like a matte type of finish.
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Valued Member
80 Posts |
It look Highly polished like someone used a Dremel tool on it?
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
No pro, but it looks like it's been dipped to me, maybe several times. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
Never heard of a "facial tissue" test.. have a few questions:
--Any particular brand or type? (1 ply, "with lotion!", etc)
--From your pictures, coop, the silver just shows as an outline. Is that what to look for and is there any other distinction?
-----Why would it just show an outline on a silver coin?!
--Does the tissue just sit on it or does it have to be wrapped tightly around the coin?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3507 Posts |
I've seen many Kennedys that look like this. in fact I found a 1972 D just like it yesterday. Under a high powered lens, the coin is covered with microscopic scratches that were also effected by years of circulation.
I've seen coins end up like this as a result of polishing. I especially remember some that were done with automotive polishing compound.
I suspect that is what this is. It definitely started out as a normal half dollar though.
Thanks,
Bill
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
xshift:
Never heard of a "facial tissue" test.. have a few questions:
Facial tissue. We used to say back in the stone age, kleenex. But working in a grocery store makes me call it by the professional term. LOL Even toilet tissue would work. Papper towels don't.
--Any particular brand or type? (1 ply, "with lotion!", etc)
Most tissues are double. So I remove one layer so its 1/2 the thickness of a normal facial tissue. Don't use the ones with lotion as they may affect the future of your coins.
--From your pictures, coop, the silver just shows as an outline. Is that what to look for and is there any other distinction?
The difference I can best describe it is that the coin appears white (silver) compared to a non silver coin.
-----Why would it just show an outline on a silver coin?!
Because of the metal in the coin. I know someone years ago taught me how to do it and it always works so I continue to use it.
--Does the tissue just sit on it or does it have to be wrapped tightly around the coin?
Just lay-ed on the coin. You should see through it just fine. If not the tissue is too thick.
Edited by coop
04/25/2009 6:28 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5614 Posts |
Coop, I thank-you for that "tip" as I did not know of this. I would also ask you will this work on most other coins, just to see the difference?  . I would think so!! Again great pictures, thanks, Mike.... |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Only silver coins will appear white. The 40% silver I haven't tested yet, but think they will show white at the core is copper and the outer part of the planchet is silver. If you look at the edges of them you usually don't see the copper showing.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
Thanks for the explanation, coop! Got any other tricks up your sleeve?  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
Only silver coins will appear white. The 40% silver I haven't tested yet, Coop, that's a 40% silver vs clad that you show in your picture. Which shows that even at 40% silver the difference is striking in appearance. (Of course the outer layer are 80% silver/20% copper) The reason the trick works is because sile is the most reflective of all metals. Silver reflect 95% of all the light that hits it. The coppernickel alloy only reflects 50 to 60% of the light that hits it. Edited by Conder101
04/27/2009 1:20 pm
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,298 |
Posted 04/24/2009 6:18 pm
