Home U.S. Coin Forum
Options

Kennedy Half Dollar Experts: How rare are 1970-D PCGS or NGC certified MS-65 or higher halves with b

apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
I read that 1970-D Kennedy Halves that are PCGS or NGC certified at grades of MS-65 or higher (gem) with beautiful toning are extremely rare and desirable.

Would the majority of Kennedy half experts on this forum agree with that statement and, if so, would beautiful toning add a considerable premium to the coin's value?

How about if the obverse is blast white whereas the reverse is beautifully toned?

Thanks!

Comments

  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Goes with putting on the smart cap that nicely toned coins of any type bring more money.
    People like pretty in almost any form it takes.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In the current market, tarnish sells well. There are premiums for what is recognized as attractive tarnish, and the higher the grade, the greater the premium. Ugly tarnish does not sell well - usually. Cheers, RickO
  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
    ... very true but I am asking specifically about PCGS or NGC MS-65 (or better) certified 1970-D Kennedy Halves whereas at least one side has beautiful toning.

    Thanks!
  • wondercoinwondercoin Posts: 16,997 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Answer: NO, they are not "extremely rare". In fact, I could grab a dozen gem brilliant coins myself today and place them in (1950's) mint set cardboard or other similar toning agents and "presto" I might have "natural toned" beauties a few years from now. If prices got crazy on such toned pieces, that might just occur as there is nothing "extremely rare" about a toned silver coin from the 1970's in my opinion. But, I agree that ANY nicely toned coin from the 1970's is "desirable". But, big difference between even "extremely desireable" and "extremely rare:.

    As always, just my 2 cents.

    Wondercoin


    Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
  • Bossman88Bossman88 Posts: 638 ✭✭
    Not rare in my opinion.
    Not worth a premium to me

    Regards, Larry
  • It would depend on the toning itself. That kennedy does not have what I would consider a very high value to begin with. IMO in order for that to carry any premium at all it would have to be pretty amazing toning. If the coin was a monster end roll rainbow with the typical geometrical lines and mostly a vivid neon green then yes the coin might pull a premium roughly 2x pcgs guide. If the coin is just has typical toning ( a mild golden or yellow) tone then no premium would be paid for the coin. Of course there are several other types of toning I just used both extremes of the toning spectrum as an example. In short most likely no premium would be paid on a coin like that.
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,781 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It would have considerable worth to me. I've been on the hunt for an attractively toned GEM 1970-D Kennedy for years now and have yet to stumble upon one.
    I'd think if this coin goes for about $75. to $100. in PCGS plastic (MS65) I'd be a sight-seen buyer at $500.

    peacockcoins

  • halfhunterhalfhunter Posts: 2,770 ✭✭✭
    I don't have access to the pops but I was under the impression that '70-Ds in 66 or better, even white, are pretty hard to come by. And a nicely toned one would be even harder . . .

    HH
    Need the following OBW rolls to complete my 46-64 Roosevelt roll set:
    1947-P & D; 1948-D; 1949-P & S; 1950-D & S; and 1952-S.
    Any help locating any of these OBW rolls would be gratefully appreciated!


  • << <i>It would have considerable worth to me. I've been on the hunt for an attractively toned GEM 1970-D Kennedy for years now and have yet to stumble upon one.
    I'd think if this coin goes for about $75. to $100. in PCGS plastic (MS65) I'd be a sight-seen buyer at $500. >>



    It all just depends on what one considers attractive, I will pay huge prices for attractive toned coins but I get offered numerous coins that others consider attractive that I find down right hideous image
  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
    The reason I started this thread was because I was intrigued by Rick Tomaska's quote (in his lovely "Whitman Guide Book to Franklin and Kennedy Halves") regarding toned gem 1970-D halves as follows:


    "This date is extremely rare in attractively toned condition" and "Attractively toned coins? Good luck finding one!"


    I then started looking at auction sales of better 1970-D halves (MS-65 and up) in venues such as Heritage, E-bay, ect. and think I found one beautifully-toned example out of hundreds, hence my question.

    I guess the way to settle this is to say "OK, everyone, lets all post our beautifully-toned (at least one side) 1970-D Kennedy Halves in PCGS or NGC-65 plastic" and let the results speak for themselves (grin)!
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,781 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image

    peacockcoins



  • << <i>image >>



    Nice coin pat
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,781 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not mine!!

    (Heritage archives.)

    peacockcoins

  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
    ... I know ... that was the beautiful example that I saw at Heritage (alas, the only one!)
  • emzeeemzee Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭
    I have 20+ years experience with utilizing natural toning methods on 1970-d 50c. I have found that 1970-d 50c (and all other 40% silver coins) are tarnish-resistant as compared to 90% silver. Same is true for war 5c, due to relatively low silver content.

    Michael
  • This content has been removed.
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,781 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, I like the analysis of 40% Kennedy halves (out of mint sets, especially) but the war nickels theory is utterly wrong, IMHO.
    image

    peacockcoins

  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I have 20+ years experience with utilizing natural toning methods on 1970-d 50c. I have found that 1970-d 50c (and all other 40% silver coins) are tarnish-resistant as compared to 90% silver. Same is true for war 5c, due to relatively low silver content.

    Michael >>






    As a specialist in 40% Kennedy Halves I can say that I have seen my share of certified examples with beautiful toning ... just specifically NOT 1970-D examples.
  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623


    << <i>

    << <i>I have 20+ years experience with utilizing natural toning methods on 1970-d 50c. I have found that 1970-d 50c (and all other 40% silver coins) are tarnish-resistant as compared to 90% silver. Same is true for war 5c, due to relatively low silver content.

    Michael >>






    As a specialist in 40% Kennedy Halves I can say that I have seen my share of certified examples with beautiful toning ... just specifically NOT 1970-D examples. >>



    I agree and besides the nickel part might prove true save for the numerous toned nickels everyone has seen as they were a solid alloy. The logic does hold up on the 40% as they were really clad coins with good old fashion coin silver skins and copper cores with a little silver added to balance ratios. 90% skin should tone similar to solid 90%
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,726 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The '70-D is the easiest of the 40% in Gem unc, probably. About 3% of mintage was Gem
    though these are getting few and far between in the few mint sets surviving. Many of them
    have unattractive mottled tarnish that usually cleans up in acetone.

    I don't see a lot of nicely toned 40% but as Wondercoin says; this can change.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I do not believe that the 1970-D is typically found in Gem toned grades as Mitch asserted; further, he seems to indicate as much with his reply since he states that he could produce them in a few years by placing them in tone=prone holders-----thus, they don't currently exist. since 1970-D Kennedy Half-Dollars were only issued in Mint Sets they are usually brilliant and untoned and most of the Gems I've seen are just so. my question: why have no coin pictures been posted to this thread(aside from the AT appearing Heritage coin) if there are many of them to be found??
  • wondercoinwondercoin Posts: 16,997 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Keets: I believe you misread my first comment on this thread. I never said the 70-D "is typically found in Gem toned grades" as you asserted I did. Just the opposite in fact. I suggested that if anyone wanted to start "toning up" 70-D half dollars they could certainly start that process right now. But, there is at least one good reason that process has not begun to this point (and it ties into my comment to Emzee below).

    Emzee: As much as I respect your knowledge of moderns, I must disagree with you on your point about the 40% coins being essentially tone resistant. I own not one, but two, super toned 69-D Kennedy Half Dollars in MS67 (pop is just a scant 4/0 to this day) ... in fact some might say one or both coins are "monster toned" specimens. I will try to get them photographed later this year. BUT, having said all of the above, I believe a blazing brilliant 69D or 70D half dollar in true MS67 would still fetch HUGE money ... possibly as much as (if not more than) a cool toned specimen might. In other words, I own a "monster blazer" 69'D I believe has a shot at the MS67 grade. Booming luster and marvelous clean surfaces ... and no toning to hide any blemishes or marks so common on these 40% coins. I asked myself the other day (and, yes, I need to stop talking to myself!) ... "if I slab the "monster blazer" in MS67, will I offer out either that coin or one of my two super cool toned MS67 specimens of the 69-D (as my collection would really not need (3) MS67's in it assuming I got lucky on the 3rd coin). Answer ... I would keep the "monster blazer" and let one of the (2) super toned 69'D specimens go. The "monster blazer" is just too darn rare in true MS67 grade to let go. In fact, I would personally value the "monster blazer" with true MS67 surfaces very close to (if not more than) the value of a super toned MS67 piece with the typical hidden marks these MS67 coins typically have as the great toning often boosts the grade by a half a point or more as great toning is "eye appeal" and eye appeal is part of the grade analysis.

    Conclusion: Other than the strategy of trying to tone one of these 1965-1970 dated Kennedy Half Dollars to assist in hiding blemishes or marks for the possibility of slabbing an MS67 grade coin where the coin would never grade MS67 without the toning, this is currently an example of a coin series where "true blazers" still rule. The coins are simply so darn rare in true MS67 with blazing brilliant surfaces that if you slab one of them you can nearly "name your price" (with the one exception of the 68-D date).

    And, just about everything I said applies to the "real world" unless your buyer is "Braddick" who might want that toned beauty over the blazing brilliant coin every day of the week image

    As always, just my 2 cents.

    Wondercoin
    Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
  • cupronikcupronik Posts: 773 ✭✭✭
    With the utmost respect Cladking, I beg to differ on the most common 40% Kennedy Half in gem BU.

    It's the 1968-D (not the 1970-D.)

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,726 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>With the utmost respect Cladking, I beg to differ on the most common 40% Kennedy Half in gem BU.

    It's the 1968-D (not the 1970-D.) >>



    I've seen Gem '67's in rolls but not the '68-D. I'd certainly agree that the average '68-D in
    mint sets is better than the average '70-D and is in a narrower range. But in my estimation
    the incidence of true Gem '68-D is probably lower. I'd put it at 2% of mintage and more of
    these are damaged now by enviromental factors and the plasticizer in the sets. A much
    higher percentage of the '70-D halfs have survived.

    You may well be right when roll coins are factored in and even without them the '68-D does,
    indeed, come nicer in the set (on average) than the '70-D. If collectors started assembling
    sets of what I consider Gem I think the '68-D's would run out a little before the '70-D.

    Roll coins are always a real wildcard. Almost all moderns were made as Gems for circulation
    and some were actually saved. Where numbers from mint sets can be estimated it is far more
    difficult to estimate numbers saved from rolls except where rolls are scarce. All the 40% rolls
    made for circulation were saved in significant numbers though many have been melted in '79/
    '80 and since 2008.

    Are you referring primarily to '68-d's from sets?
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • ModCrewmanModCrewman Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Seems like as good of a place as any to share a new TrueView I have of an attractively toned 40% Kennedy.

    PCGS SP66

    image

    Edit: I wanted to add, the coin was found in the plastic SMS holder and box, but the holder was cracked right above the toned spot.
  • cupronikcupronik Posts: 773 ✭✭✭
    Clad King:

    I was referring to 68-D Halves found in mint sets. They can show up awfully nice in some sets.

    I wish I could find 70-D Halves AS NICE.
  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭


    << <i>With the utmost respect Cladking, I beg to differ on the most common 40% Kennedy Half in gem BU.

    It's the 1968-D (not the 1970-D.) >>






    ... I agree with the above!
  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I do not believe that the 1970-D is typically found in Gem toned grades as Mitch asserted; further, he seems to indicate as much with his reply since he states that he could produce them in a few years by placing them in tone=prone holders-----thus, they don't currently exist. since 1970-D Kennedy Half-Dollars were only issued in Mint Sets they are usually brilliant and untoned and most of the Gems I've seen are just so. my question: why have no coin pictures been posted to this thread(aside from the AT appearing Heritage coin) if there are many of them to be found?? >>






    My friend above has made an interesting point ...


    Only one gem 1970-D beautifully-toned half (either one or two-sided) has been posted in this thread so far


    image
  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
    ... and I agree with Mitch at Wondercoin when he says that the 40% halves are certainly not tone-resistant.


    Rather, as another poster said here, there is "tarnish" and then there is beautiful "Toning". Based on my experence, 40% halves can be found with ugly dark "tarnish", whereas they seem to be very uncommon with beautiful translucent colored "Toning" that does not interfere with the expected cartwheel luster of a gem coin but rather flows (or "shimmers") within it.


    I think those are the quality of coins (and toning) I refer to, and which seem to be specifically lacking among 1970-D halves.
  • 2 things....

    First we would all have to agree on what constitutes beautiful toning before a price could be derived...I don't know of any toned coin collectors who pay up for coins that aren't rainbow toned with the money colors of say red, blue green etc. Gold colored toning or orange toning usually commands little to no premium in the market place and I have heaps of experience selling toned coins to back that up.

    2nd I think good points have been made to indicate that there could be a real incentive to artificially tone such a coin since they are not commonly found.

    I think any toning on a 1970-D that doesn't have negative eye appeal is a plus for me and would add to a coins eye appeal but I am pretty sure that Braddick wouldn't pay $500 for a MS65 1970-D with golden toning unless I am seriously mistaken image
  • This content has been removed.
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Not mine!!

    (Heritage archives.) >>

    Betcha wish it was!!
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,781 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Not mine!!

    (Heritage archives.) >>

    Betcha wish it was!! >>


    Tell you what, there was an NGC MS67 that sold a few years ago for cheap (what PCGS MS66's go for) that looked like it was all there.
    I wonder where that coin is today?

    Oh, and I'm in the Keets Kamp: I think the aforementioned Kennedy is a bit AT. . .

    peacockcoins

  • kwmorgankwmorgan Posts: 967
    The 1970-D will always have a special place in my memories. I had a Kennedy half dollar album as a kid and could not afford one and that "only in mint sets" hole filler really bothered me. Tried like heck to find one that escaped "out into the wild", but no luck. Now I have 5 or 6 of them and have no desire to part with them. Just a beautiful coin, a key date and very affordable.
  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The 1970-D will always have a special place in my memories. I had a Kennedy half dollar album as a kid and could not afford one and that "only in mint sets" hole filler really bothered me. Tried like heck to find one that escaped "out into the wild", but no luck. Now I have 5 or 6 of them and have no desire to part with them. Just a beautiful coin, a key date and very affordable. >>





    I cannot agree more!

    I began collecting coins in 1969, and Kennedy halves were among my favorites! Like many others I had an album to fill, and accordingly took my newly-delivered 1970-D halves and promptly cut them out of their plastic mint wrappers and inserted them into my albums.

    image
  • pocketpiececommemspocketpiececommems Posts: 6,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I had ordered 5 from the mint. When I went to get my Selective Service physical in 1971 I we had time to kill so I stopped by a coin shop. I saw the price on the 70-D's (12.50) and asked if he would trade my 5 for an Austria 100 Corona. He said he would. When I got home I maied them to him and he mailed me the 100 Corona. I still have it.
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I bought a stock box of Kenndys from 1964 to date i never have time to look at them. But now i will need to go look at them, I know there is no toners in the box or i would have pulled them. image


    Hoard the keys.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I guess the way to settle this is to say "OK, everyone, lets all post our beautifully-toned (at least one side) 1970-D Kennedy Halves in PCGS or NGC-65 plastic" and let the results speak for themselves (grin)!

    I hope you aren't holding your breath.image

    also, my apologies with my inference, Mitch.
  • wondercoinwondercoin Posts: 16,997 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No problem Keets.

    And, although this has yet to be discussed, IMHO, hands down, the coolest 70-D Kennedy Half Dollars are neither gem toned nor gem clean white coins .... they are ...


    GEM PL's !!!

    I still get excited when I uncover one of these!!

    Wondercoin






    Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
  • apollo14apollo14 Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
    Hi Mitch!

    I would love to see some examples of your finest 1970-D Kennedy Half Proof-Likes ... please feel free to message me with what you have!

    Thanks!

    David


    image
  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,646 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I feel they are very rare. The 40% clad halves are unique in composition and duration (the outer 80% silver/20% copper over opposite core - makes these things different than anything else the mint has made). For them to develop attractive toning, someone had to cut them from the mint cello and place them in a environment that promotes color. There was nothing special going on then and the Kennedy series just started, so there are/were no older books to house them.

    Aftermarket holders are abundant for last silver president year, first year Kennedy issue, bicentennial stuff but not much between except birth year sets. The mint and government were trying to kill coin collecting / speculation and hoarding of silver and rolls, by eliminating mintmarks in 65-67 and making proof set equivilants (SMS sets) ugly.. The 1970-D was only found in mint sets, so no rolls or bags except for what was made by collectors cutting up mint sets.

    Paper quality has improved with less sulfur thanks to EPA. New albums do not tone like the older stuff from 40-50's. I do not feel this will change until counterfeit paper made from dirt, hair, cotton, other stuff starts coming from Asia. To say that colorful toning on clad halves is easy, just put them in an album shows a completely different understanding about toning than mine. I feel that maybe in 15-20 years, something attractive could result.

    Here is a similar example - 1965 SMS nickel, grade is only in top third certified but high premium paid - which I correlate to at least 2 people who feel is rare. TT 1965 SMS nickel

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file