Wierd Kennedy half find - Weights are in...

thezookrew

I have started going through a bunch of rolled halves and found something really odd... I pulled out a 1971 'D' Kennedy that looks like it is silver - no copper core and it looks exactly like my 40% silver halves from the late 60's. Could this actually be struck on the wrong planchet type? Or is it just missing a layer? I have no idea but will try to photograph it and weigh it at school. What whould a silver Kennedy weigh? ANY info would be greatly appreciated!

Perry

direwolf1972

Here ya go this might help.

See this thread.

tightbudget

I don't have a Redbook ready to see how much a 40% Kennedy weighs, but if I were you, first check the "ring" of the coin. If it sounds like the ring of a 40% Kennedy, then you may be on to something.

cmerlo1

I have heard that there were 40% blanks from 1970 that made their way to the coining presses in Denver in 1971. I thought I'd cherried one on eBay a few years ago, but the surface of the coin was covered with tiny bubbles in the surface metal- a sure sign it had been plated...not sure on the weight, but check it closely under glass for signs of plating...

--Christian

ProofArtworkonCircs

1971 - D silver clad half dollars are described in the Red Book in the Kennedy text. Weight should be 11.5 grams versus 11.34 for the cupro-nickel clad. There are a few 1977 - D 40 % silver halves also struck in error.

ricko

If it is... congratulations.. cool find. Let us know.. Cheers, RickO

thezookrew

Got a good look at it this morning with a 10x loop. The coin does not appear to have any bubbles. I also compared the lettering to a 1971 D and a 1968 D and the letters are spaced more like the 68 than the 71. Also there is something about the surface that doesn't quite seem right. I am wondering if it may be a fake because it has the appearance of being really poorly struck or having A LOT of wear (you can't even make out the wording on the ribbon on the reverse). I will be going up to campus probably tomorrow to weigh it. Out of curiousity if this is a 1971 D on a 40% planchet in say VG what is it worth?

Still working on a photo, may have to scan it.

Perry

thezookrew

Hey Russ, where are you when I need you?!? I thought you would have put in your fifty cents worth!!!

foundinrolls

A Picture would be a great help... It is a possibility.

Thanks,
Bill O'

thezookrew

I took them to my high school classroom (I teach biology and chemistry) and weighed and looked at the half under a good compound scope and it's official - it is a very nicely plated coin - the weight is low - about 11.25g and under the scope I can see little pockets of copper on the reeding. Oh well it was exciting while it lasted!

foundinrolls

Thanks for the update!