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 Replies: 11 / Views: 13,121 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Hi, I seem to be having some difficulty identifying whether or not my 1776 - 1976S Kennedy proof half contains silver or not. Even though I can see a copper layer from the cross sectional viewpoint I am unsure if this coin could still have 40% or 90% silver content or not. Because I seem to be getting conflicting sources of info. please indicate the best source of info. that can provide the correct identifying characteristics of all of the Kennedy halves. The last time I tried a tissue test on a silver vs. a copper clad Kennedy I could not even see through the single ply tissue to differentiate between the two coins. Plus this particular test seems to be void if a coin is silver plated illegally etc. Thanks mdpmedia |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
I think you will have to weigh it.Silver clad should weigh 11.50 grams and copper-nickel clad should be 11.34 grams. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3546 Posts |
I have weighed this coin three times and still come up with only 11.19 grams using a scale that has been correctly calibrated.
Any thoughts on what's possibly going on here?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4113 Posts |
mdpmedia:
Hi:
First,
There is no 90% 1976S Silver Half Dollar, only 40%.
I would say that based on the weight of 11.19 grams and given that your coin is a Proof Coin ( not much wear), it's a copper/nickel clad half and has no Silver.
I have 2-1976S Uncirculated 40% Silver Halfs and one weights 11.55 grams and the other is 11.69 grams- way over the 11.34 grams for copper/nickel clad.
* These are very hard to find, as many of these 1976S Silver Clad coins were melted in 1982 during the Silver at $50.00 an ounce days!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
I just bought an AACGS-slabbed 1976S MS-64 Kennedy 50 cent piece. Because I cannot view the side of the coin nor do I wish to break open the slab to weigh the coin, is it safe to assume that all 1976S Kennedy halves are composed of 40% silver? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
687 Posts |
No it's not. There are two compositions for the 1976S Proof: the standard CuNi (which will be far more common) and the 40% silver proof. There are also business strike 1976S Kennedys that are 40% silver as well, but they should be easy to differentiate.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
The tissue test works right through the slab. Put a single layer of tissue such as facial tissue or TP over the coin. If it is gray it's coppernickel clad, if it is white it's silver. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
809 Posts |
I agree with chuckster!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
OK, here are the results of the tissue test covering the obverse side. It is important to note that although it did not come across well in the photos, the perimeter of the coin (especially on the reverse) display a distinct brown-colored ring covering about 3/4s of the height of letters reading UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HALF DOLLAR. The only predominant external scratch on the slab itself is located at approx. 4 o'clock near the rear of the top of the neck. Opinions on grade and/or silver content are welcomed. Thanks mdpmedia     |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote:is it safe to assume that all 1976S Kennedy halves are composed of 40% silver? Yes, you can assume that with the S-mint Unc Bicentennials as there are no CuNi clad counterparts Quote:
the perimeter of the coin (especially on the reverse) display a distinct brown-colored ring covering about 3/4s of the height of letters That is just from the toning on the coin. I also agree with the given grade of MS64. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I missed the part about the AACGS coin being MS. (in the OP he was talking about a Proof which does come both ways.) Biokemist is correct ALL S mint non-proof bicentennials quarter, halves, and dollars are 40% silver.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
687 Posts |
Yeah, I read that wrong too. My bad.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 13,121 |
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Posted 04/17/2011 04:05 am
