Kennedy Half Dollar

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mjmartinez13
mjmartinez13 Posts: 3 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Howdy!

Wanted to post to get opinion on a 1981 Kennedy Half-dollar that is part of my father’s collection. Attempted research but no viable info. Special attention to the edge and lines. You can feel each side of the coin of that makes sense.

Opinions requested.



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  • IkesT
    IkesT Posts: 4,597 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 11, 2026 3:27PM
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    Would you say that the clad layer has begun to separate from the coin? It looks like this may be the case from your photo.

    If so, that is called a clamshell separation error.

    Edit: The acid treatment does look like a better explanation, as noted by others below.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Interesting piece it is

  • mjmartinez13
    mjmartinez13 Posts: 3 ✭
    edited August 11, 2026 12:59PM
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    @IkesT appreciate the feedback. The picture doesn’t depict this but both sides clad layer is like this for the entire edge.

    It feels like the edges were never fully pressed if that makes sense.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 11, 2026 1:04PM
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    Looks like ya got a good thing 👍

  • JBK
    JBK Posts: 17,860 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That edge looks to me like it took an acid bath. The clad edges are higher than the copper core.

    I'll stick my neck out and say acid damage, with the surfaces obverse and reverse being eaten away unevenly (the lines) based on how the metal was rolled out as clad strip.

    Similar to the way they raise a serial number that has been filed off a firearm. Areas of metal that were under greater pressure will react differently to the acid.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @JBK said:
    That edge looks to me like it took an acid bath. The clad edges are higher than the copper core.

    I'll stick my neck out and say acid damage, with the surfaces obverse and reverse being eaten away unevenly (the lines) based on how the metal was rolled out as clad strip.

    Similar to the way they raise a serial number that has been filed off a firearm. Areas of metal that were under greater pressure will react differently to the acid.

    The reverse reminds me of that

  • mjmartinez13
    mjmartinez13 Posts: 3 ✭
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    All, appreciate the feedback received. This helps with the documentation I’m putting together for my family.

  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    the general sense is acid treated

    that makes it spending money

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,922 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I'm not convinced it is acid treated. The details are too strong.
    Could be, just not there yet with that conclusion.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @RedRocket said:
    I'm not convinced it is acid treated. The details are too strong.
    Could be, just not there yet with that conclusion.

    AGREE!

    Looks like heat more than acid. If it is acid, it wasn't just soaked in acid.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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