So I experimented with Halves today...

[SilverDragon72]

I broke a mold in the collection of coins today. I picked up some pennies and nickels at the CU. Decided it was time to try something a bit different. I decided to embark on looking for silver in Halves. I only purchased $30 worth and found no silver...but I'll keep whatever ones I find reflecting my birth year and also the bicentennial ones. I know these are common...and won't be worth much.

Gotta try something new from time to time! Meanwhile, my nickel box arrives next week....

[reddirtcoins]

... and you do know there is more than just 70 and older correct? (just trying to be helpful)

[SilverDragon72]

I don't know a lot about halves at the moment....only the ones from 64 and before are like 40 pct silver or something like that? I need to investigate these more.

[reddirtcoins]

Rule of thumb is 1970 back. 64 back for 90% and 65-70 for 40%. In 1976 there is an S mark that is silver from a proof set and starting in 1992 (I think) they started to make silver in the proof sets (S) again so you need to watch for those.

[Metals Mogul]

But remember, not all bicentenial proofs are 40% silver.

[reddirtcoins]

correct... the silver will surely stand out. I've only found about 4 or so in the last year but, they are out there.

[everything]

I experimented too, just getting one box, and sometimes my bank guy would sell $100 off to someone and I would just get most of a box, still, I found out that if you want to find at least some silver every time, or almost every time, get two boxes, or more . You will still get skunked, but in the last year I had one box yield 3.xx oz. and 4 boxes back, had one that yielded 1.23 oz., last box had a 1968 in it.

Some places can be hotter than others, my area is rich in copper pennies, and I feel lucky finding silver halves, I wish I was more into dime or war nickel hunting because I'd like to see what that's like around here as well.

[knibloe]

Every time I feel like quitting, I get a half way decent box. Last night I had a box that had 6-40% in it and a 1964.

I will keep at it for a while.

[newton7]

I get a hit every once and a while. Got seven 40% out of a 100 dollar box of loose ones a teller had. The 40s were all tarnished and spotted but silver is silver.

Keep searching!

[50centsaver]

I've been searching for halves for years now and have never found a silver bicentennial. Have went thru thousands of dollars of halves.

[Coppergot]

... and you do know there is more than just 70 and older correct? (just trying to be helpful)

1970 and older is correct, 65 through 70 are 40 percent silver. 64 is the only 90 percent kennedy anything older than 64 would be a franklin, 90 percent as well. I started sorting halfs about 3 weeks ago and have already found 2 franklin's, 5 64's, and about 87 40 percenters. out of the 87 not 1 1970 though, hope this helps.

[Coppergot]

Like proofs?? Ive only found like 7 so far all s mint mark. The side view of the rim looks like any other non silver, will I be able to see the didferance in a s mint proof??