Realcent.org

Good evening everyone. This is my first post on this site but I have enjoyed reading all of the insightful things that everyone shares for years. Dump bank concepts, silver vs. copper discussion, I could go on...plus coin collectors are by far the nicest of people. I do have a question about half dollar coins that some of you may have come across? Has anyone ever seen a bicentennial half dollar with a normal obverse (1776-1976 date) but with a normal clad coin reverse. The reverse of the coin I came across in circulation has the herald eagle reverse instead of the normal image of Independence Hall. Also, when you hold the coin straight up and down looking at the obverse and flip it across the top, the head of the herald eagle points to 10 o clock. My first thought is that it is a fake based on the weight and position of the eagle but it looks like a real half? Any idea if this is an error coin that has been valued in the past or maybe just a magic coin that is used for something other than getting me slightly excited this evening? I did a quick Google search but did not come across anything that caught my eye and nothing within my coin book. Thanks to the info and God Bless America!

It definitely sounds like a magicians coin. I suspect that it is probably hollowed out and can be opened up to hold something inside. The Bi-Centennials were minted for two years and I highly doubt that any were accidentally minted with the wrong back. You say it weighs differently, I would suspect that it is lighter? Take it into a coin shop and they will probably show you how to open it up.

I've heard that dropping it repeatedly on a wood surface helps to open it up if it is a magician's coin.

try to stick a magnet to it they make steel cored halves for magic tricks they sell for $24 on this site http://www.roykueppers.com/othercoins.html if no go with the magnet put it between your fingers and try to slide the obverse and reverse in different directions see if it opens

I have found quite a few magic halves

Does it give a "thud" sound when you hit it against other halves? If it does, it is probably one.

If you give them a good drop against the floor face down, they usually pop open. I have found the Mexican 20 Centavo and the Large British Penny versions.

Thank you everyone for the replies. It was a hollowed out coin that is very well made (1967 english penny on the trick side). After many attempts, my 6 year old finally got it open. It isn't an error, but at least I have a new trick for the next family outing...just have to research it and learn it. Almost as good as finding silver!!