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Underweight 64 half dollar

I recently bought a 1964 Kennedy half dollar off Amazon, when I weighed it, it weighs out at 12.18 grams. The listing had it as AU, and to me it doesn't seem to have a whole lot of wear. I was just wondering if it does have more wear than I think it does, and if not why it would be underweight by that much? Is it within the weight tolerance? Also I know my scale is accurate. Any info would be appreciated thanks.

Comments

  • cecropiamothcecropiamoth Posts: 969 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Doesn't look like much wear at all, perhaps a cleaning though. 12.18 gm seems pretty far off, likely out of tolerance, but perhaps not far off from the norm. When I roll hunted I always had a habit of weighing the silvers I pulled and these 1964 Kennedy halves were usually 12.3-12.7 on a scale that weighed to the tenth of a gram. I have seen them as low as 12.2 and as high as 12.8 however. My guess here is that this is simply a case of the planchet strip being rolled a little too thin.

    I do remember finding a 40% that weighed 12.3 gm, very heavy for a coin that should be 11.5 gm. I asked Fred about it and he felt it was likely a scenario where the planchet strip was rolled too thick.

    Jeff

  • Interesting, thank you for the information. I just thought it was odd that it's off weight by that much.

  • WatchbelieveWatchbelieve Posts: 527 ✭✭✭

    I have a 64 Kennedy that is 12.9 and a 68d that weighs a LUCKY 11.11g. As to value... i was wondering if I shouldx grade thedm as well as the allowed tollerace was +/-.25grams.

  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    As was said above, possible thin planchet from thin strip.

  • To me it has heaps of wear...The grade of AU must have very little wear and all high points like the cheek must be clear and visible...What about all the scratches on the presidents face etc??? That shows me it has been in circulation...If you look at the eagle side, it has been heavily cleaned as you will see fine lines from rubbing..Probably a cotton swab. Just look at all the scratch marks around the eagle and arrows... I personally think you have be taken for as in my eyes i would grade this VF at tops. Read the VF grading and then look at your coin.... All i ask id bont kid yourself...
    I dont know how much you paid for it but if it was over $2.50 ( due to its wear ) i think someone has taken you for a ride... I am placing in here the description what AU should be...Please read that and compare with your coin... I do have some halves but i dont know what other dates you need...Mine i sell at $1.99 each plus shipping..The difference in weight is the loss of metal it has had with usage...OIO

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