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Which (Post 1970) Mint Kennedy's are Silver - How to Tell?

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 1:06 pm
by camtender
Is there an easy way to tell which post 70 US Mint Kennedy's are silver, including the Proofs? Is there a legend out there to find which years?

Re: Which (Post 1970) Mint Kennedy's are Silver - How to Tel

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 3:37 pm
by wagsthadog
Hi there-

The easiest way to tell is to look at the edges, silver will have white edges and be proofs if you are looking after 1970.

You can find 1976 bicentennial half dollars in a 40% silver composition(though not all are silver), and from 1992-present they made silver proof coins in dime, quarter, and half dollar denomination. You need to check the edges though.

Hope that helps!
wags

Re: Which (Post 1970) Mint Kennedy's are Silver - How to Tel

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:14 pm
by mr18
If edges are of no help, try to weigh them, 90% silver halves weigh 12.5g, 40% silver halves weigh 11.5g and all others weigh 11.35g.
I only say this because there are some very shady people out there who would try to hide the copper with some sort of paint. this kind of stuff won't or should not happen at coin shops, but always be weary, if the price is too cheap, it probably isn't real.

Re: Which (Post 1970) Mint Kennedy's are Silver - How to Tel

PostPosted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:06 am
by everything
Except for silver proofs which should be impossible to miss anyways. They made allot of these, you can find them on Ebay once in a while, often uncirculated. I found a worn 1967 the other day, the edge looked just like the rest. Is it true that 92-present proofs are .14792 ag, I'm not even for sure on that, but it looks like it.

11.50g 0.14792 troy oz. 0.36169 troy oz. 2.15mm 30.6mm
Reeded
Dates: 1965-70; 1975-76* ; 1992-present(Proofs only)
* Dated '1776-1976', featuring Bicentennial reverse design by Seth G. Huntington
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Mint Branches: Denver (1968-70), Philadelphia (1965-67), San Francisco (1968-70 ' Proof only; 1976 ' Proof and Uncirculated)

Re: Which (Post 1970) Mint Kennedy's are Silver - How to Tel

PostPosted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:48 am
by Lemon Thrower
they also have a different ring to them when you drop them. more of a ring than a thud.

Re: Which (Post 1970) Mint Kennedy's are Silver - How to Tel

PostPosted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:01 am
by knibloe
Lemon Thrower wrote:they also have a different ring to them when you drop them. more of a ring than a thud.


Lemon thrower is right. I edge sort (looking for the silver color) and then sound sort by running the stack through your hands. You will hear the silver.