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Two 1971-D half dollars from circulation (Update - I added a few other coins from the submission)

ModCrewmanModCrewman Posts: 4,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited March 31, 2023 11:14AM in U.S. Coin Forum

When I first started collecting again around 2011, I did a lot of roll searching of half dollars, and had set aside the nicest ones pulled from those rolls. In January, I decided to send a couple of them in with some other proof/SMS coins that are more in my wheelhouse. These two have blazing luster and great eye appeal but didn't grade as well as I'd optimistically hoped they would.

But considering they were in the wild for over 40 years before I pulled them out. You may cheat and pull certificate numbers if you want, but I'm most interested in your grade opinion and evaluation of why you believe they deserved that grade. So here they are:

Coin #1: https://images.pcgs.com/trueview/47027400_max.jpg

Coin #2: https://images.pcgs.com/trueview/47027401_max.jpg

If the thread gets a little action, I may even share some of the ones that were in my wheelhouse.

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Comments

  • MaywoodMaywood Posts: 2,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Both coins appear to have a weak strike as evidenced by the top of the shield and it looks as though both also have rub on the cheek to the left of the ear. I would add that I doubt they were "in the wild" for 40 years, more than likely they were just rolled and cashed.

    AU58 for both or mid-MS if there's full luster on those cheek areas which are further evidence of strike weakness. They have a polished look there.

    Interestingly, I have a 1971-D that I pulled from a roll about 5-6 years ago with about the same strike but a very PL appearance, enough that when I first found it I thought it might be a Proof. Maybe it's time for a trip to the factory!! :p

  • Shane6596Shane6596 Posts: 759 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They both look in the MS64-65 range. Ive never graded these, so may be off

    Successful BST transactions with....Coinslave87, ChrisH821, Walkerguy21D, SanctionII.......................Received "You Suck" award 02/18/23

  • SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 12,190 ✭✭✭✭✭

    MS66 for both.

  • dunkleosteus430dunkleosteus430 Posts: 476 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 30, 2023 5:41PM

    65 for both.

    Young Numismatist

  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,331 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'll go 66+ and 65.

    Both are weakly struck or struck form worn dies (looks like both are true for the top coin), but I don't think that will stop PCGS from doling out some higher grades.

    Coin Photographer.

  • RampageRampage Posts: 9,472 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They are nice coins for sure.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice Kennedy halves... I would guess MS66 and MS65.... Cheers, RickO

  • dsessomdsessom Posts: 2,406 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would guess MS66 on both. The first one has an interesting, soft strike not typical of the series.

    Best regards,
    Dwayne F. Sessom
    Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not the Kennedy expert but I think weakness is more likely attributable to die wear than a weak strike. There were alot of 1971-D halves struck.

    Both look attractive with decent lustre which should help with the grade. I think the second has the more attractive obverse. I see 65 as not being unreasonable and the second might plus

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • olympicsosolympicsos Posts: 796 ✭✭✭✭

    @coinkat said:
    Not the Kennedy expert but I think weakness is more likely attributable to die wear than a weak strike. There were alot of 1971-D halves struck.

    Both look attractive with decent lustre which should help with the grade. I think the second has the more attractive obverse. I see 65 as not being unreasonable and the second might plus

    Yes there was a high mintage and I would assume they were striking plenty to displace any remaining silver from circulation.

  • ModCrewmanModCrewman Posts: 4,039 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You guys are pretty well spot on with your grades/evaluations. They both received MS66 grades. I've not submitted too many MS coins over the years, so though I knew they were struck from worn dies, I wasn't expecting the impact that the soft strike would have on the grades. I think they got it right. They're both very attractive coins with tons of luster, but I can see the attributes that kept them to a 66 grade.

    As promised, here are a few of the ones that were in my wheelhouse that got some nice results.

    PR68 DCAM

    PR69 DCAM

    SP67 CAM

    PR69 CAM (Disappointed it's not DCAM)

    SP68 CAM (A big one! Top-pop)

    Oh look another one...SP68 CAM

    PR69 DCAM

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Terrific coins... one simply does not see the 65 with cameo contrast like those two very often. I see those two as the best especially if the received a deep cameo designation. The second 65 looks a little more compelling than the first in terms of a deep cameo and both look better than 66

    Congrats... across the board. I think you did the right thing submitting what is pictured here. The 1971-D Kennedy is tough to find with the right look.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • olympicsosolympicsos Posts: 796 ✭✭✭✭

    @ModCrewman said:
    You guys are pretty well spot on with your grades/evaluations. They both received MS66 grades. I've not submitted too many MS coins over the years, so though I knew they were struck from worn dies, I wasn't expecting the impact that the soft strike would have on the grades. I think they got it right. They're both very attractive coins with tons of luster, but I can see the attributes that kept them to a 66 grade.

    As promised, here are a few of the ones that were in my wheelhouse that got some nice results.

    PR68 DCAM

    PR69 DCAM

    SP67 CAM

    PR69 CAM (Disappointed it's not DCAM)

    SP68 CAM (A big one! Top-pop)

    Oh look another one...SP68 CAM

    PR69 DCAM

    Cameos made by the acid dipping are so much better than the cameos made with laser frosting.

  • SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 12,190 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Where are the other 65SMS halves you submitted for grading?

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