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Unusual Kennedy bicentennial half dollar

ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

I'm not a collector or expert. I inherited my dad's coin collection and found this very odd bicentennial Kennedy half dollar with a spike sticking through his head. I have tried to find something similar but no luck. Any ideas?










Comments

  • NeophyteNumismatistNeophyteNumismatist Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 5, 2023 5:04AM

    OP duplicate post - still PMD.

    I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.

  • maymay Posts: 1,590 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 5, 2023 5:22AM

    Pmd, bad scratch. Spend it or keep it, it's only worth 50 cents.

    Type collector, mainly into Seated. -formerly Ownerofawheatiehorde. Good BST transactions with: mirabela, OKCC, MICHAELDIXON, Gerard

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    @Ownerofawheatiehorde said:
    Pmd, bad scratch. Spend it or keep it, it's only worth 50 cents

    I'm not a collector but I do know that It's not a scratch it is raised but thank you

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,506 ✭✭✭✭✭

    interesting. it seems into the coin.

    when a coin is struck tens of tons of force is used. sometimes the die fails and parts of it break off. but generally these are ragged with ragged raised peaks.

    yours is not ragged enough for that. I'm figuring glue then.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,865 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It’s damaged, whatever the exact cause was

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • GoldminersGoldminers Posts: 4,203 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 5, 2023 7:25AM

    Take it to a coin shop for another opinion if you still have questions, as they can see it in hand and not in photos. They may have a machine that can determine what the extra piece is composed of. I can't think of a normal way something like this can be the way it looks, if it is as struck at the Mint.

    Edited to add that it is damaged according to experts above, so it is not a true coin error, however someone might pay you more than 50 cents for it at auction, as an unusual item.

    My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set

  • GreenstangGreenstang Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Overkill on the photos.
    Two or three from different angles would be sufficient.
    As per your other thread, it has happened after the coin was struck so that
    would make it some sort of damage. Doesn’t matter how it happened.

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    @Greenstang said:
    Overkill on the photos.
    Two or three from different angles would be sufficient.
    As per your other thread, it has happened after the coin was struck so that
    would make it some sort of damage. Doesn’t matter how it happened.

    So sorry for the overkill of photos. Thank you for your opinion and time

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    @Goldminers said:
    Take it to a coin shop for another opinion if you still have questions, as they can see it in hand and not in photos. They may have a machine that can determine what the extra piece is composed of. I can't think of a normal way something like this can be the way it looks, if it is as struck at the Mint.

    Edited to add that it is damaged according to experts above, so it is not a true coin error, however someone might pay you more than 50 cents for it at auction, as an unusual item.

    Thank you for your time and help. I do have a coin expert coming to see what I have.

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    @MsMorrisine said:
    interesting. it seems into the coin.

    when a coin is struck tens of tons of force is used. sometimes the die fails and parts of it break off. but generally these are ragged with ragged raised peaks.

    yours is not ragged enough for that. I'm figuring glue then.

    Thank you for your opinion and time.

  • bsshog40bsshog40 Posts: 3,914 ✭✭✭✭✭

    As I respect Freds opinions on stuff like this, I have to lean towards something got in to this coin. Looking close at the edge, unless my eyes are playing tricks on me, this looks like it goes down into the coin.

    -----------------------------------------
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  • Steven59Steven59 Posts: 8,961 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Reverse picture may help to tell if it really is just damage.

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 5,834 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 6, 2023 11:12AM

    It looks like part of a “Mount” that was used to glue the coin into a backing like what you would see in a picture frame displayed on a wall. Like someone had a bicentennial set glued to a backing in a frame on a wall. Then someone disassembled the set by pulling off the coins and part of the mount that had the glue on it was retained on the coin.

    Like one of these or something similar

    That’s my theory.

    Mr_Spud

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    @Mr_Spud said:
    It looks like part of a “Mount” that was used to glue the coin into a backing like what you would see in a picture frame displayed on a wall. Like someone had a bicentennial set glued to a backing in a frame on a wall. Then someone disassembled the set by pulling off the coins and part of the mount that had the glue on it was retained on the coin.

    Like one of these or something similar

    That’s my theory.

    Thank you! The bronze mark is thick, very hard and recessed into the coin. I'm going to a coin expert this weekend to have him look at the collection.> @bsshog40 said:

    As I respect Freds opinions on stuff like this, I have to lean towards something got in to this coin. Looking close at the edge, unless my eyes are playing tricks on me, this looks like it goes down into the coin.

    Yes it does! I'll try to take a better picture

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    Here are better close-ups please zoom in on the 3rd picture and tell me if you see a word there.




  • Jacques_LoungecoqueJacques_Loungecoque Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Is this supposed to be the assassins bullet simulation?

    Having fun while switching things up and focusing on a next level PCGS slabbed 1950+ type set, while still looking for great examples for the 7070.

  • relicsncoinsrelicsncoins Posts: 8,041 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe someone was trying to explain the magic bullet theory.

    Need a Barber Half with ANACS photo certificate. If you have one for sale please PM me. Current Ebay auctions
  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,805 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ReneeMS said:

    Thank you! The bronze mark is thick, very hard and recessed into the coin. I'm going to a coin expert this weekend to have him look at the collection.

    You do realize that one of the people who already gave you feedback here is the expert on error coins, and used to authenticate errors for PCGS.

    And why aren't you showing a picture of the reverse?

  • bsshog40bsshog40 Posts: 3,914 ✭✭✭✭✭

    With the new pictures provided, I'm going with glue also. The first pics made the object look recessed. The new pics do not look that way.

    -----------------------------------------
    My Original Song Written to my late wife-"Plus other original music by me"
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8A11CC8CC6093D80

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  • JohnThePainterJohnThePainter Posts: 68 ✭✭✭

    That section of Kennedy’s head is the high point within that line, which makes me agree that it’s merely glue residue. It looks like it goes into the coin because in its wet state the glue tapered up to the high spot. Just my opinion.

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    @ReneeMS said:
    Here are better close-ups please zoom in on the 3rd picture and tell me if you see a word there.




    It's the 4th picture... sorry

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    I guess you actually have to see it yourself. It is recessed into the coin. I only have a cellphone to take pics. I'll let you all know what I find out from the coin appraisal. Can't hurt to try and see what an experts opinion is since I don't know much about it.
    Thanks to everyone for your time and help.

  • ReneeMSReneeMS Posts: 18 ✭

    @JBK said:

    @ReneeMS said:

    Thank you! The bronze mark is thick, very hard and recessed into the coin. I'm going to a coin expert this weekend to have him look at the collection.

    You do realize that one of the people who already gave you feedback here is the expert on error coins, and used to authenticate errors for PCGS.

    And why aren't you showing a picture of the reverse?

    Actually no I didn't know that because I am not a collector or expert. If you want a photo of the back I would be more than happy to send one to you. I am taking the collection to the coin appraiser and I will let you know what I am told. Sorry to have bothered you. Have a wonderful evening.

  • percybpercyb Posts: 3,328 ✭✭✭✭

    One of a kind. Keep it in memory of your father.

    "Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world." PBShelley

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