Comparing Survival Rates of 90% & 40% Halves

[Recyclersteve]

I just posted something asking for information about the survival rates of 1958 (wheat) vs. 1959 (Lincoln Memorial) pennies under a different thread.

It occurred to me that I have information already worked up for half dollars, so why not share that with the community. Here you go...

Total number of 1964 Kennedy halves minted (P & D combined): 429,509,450
Total number of 1965-69 Kennedy halves (both mints): 846,745,006

I looked for both of these and started in 2004. Although I still look for silver halves, things tapered off very significantly (both my effort and the percentage of silvers found) beginning in 2011.

Since 2004 I have found 336 of the 90% Kennedy halves in addition to 2,275 of the 40%ers.

Now take the mintages and divide by what I found. You will get one out of every 1,278,302 of the 90%ers ever minted that was found by yours truly. You will also get one out of every 372,196 of the 40%ers ever minted. So if my results are statistically significant that means that 90%ers have been taken out of circulation roughly 3.43 times as aggressively as 40%ers (1,278,302 divided by 372,196). I don't know what I was expecting before I made the calculations, but there you go.

Note that I have segregated silver that I found in bank rolls from silver that I have bought at coin shops and elsewhere (shows, eBay, this site, etc.). The stats herein are only for silver coins found, not bought.

The total amount of halves gone through was $77,254.50 face value (over 154,000 coins). If you include the 126 pre-64's that I found (Franklins and Walkers), then 1.8% of the halves I looked through over all those years was silver. That is, roughly 1 out of every 56 coins was silver. Since 2011, it is one out of every 217 halves that is silver. Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

Here is a wild stat about finding halves. The last pre-1964 I found was on 10/26/10. I've found silver since then, but not a single Franklin or Walker in all $11,047.50 face that I've searched since 10/27/10.

Does anyone else have data like this to add? The more data we have, the better the survey results.

[mishra142]

I've been going through halves since 2011, started recording data in 2012. I'll post my date here and you can do with it as you please. I've gone through 1,136,500 face

(90%/40%)
2012 69 / 302
2013 106 / 614
2014 110/ 695
2015 109 / 767
2016 103 / 692
2017 110 / 763 ( as of date of this post)

total 607 / 3563

[68Camaro]

Since you're being generous with your data, can you add the face per year for those yields?

[Recyclersteve]

I've been going through halves since 2011, started recording data in 2012. I'll post my date here and you can do with it as you please. I've gone through 1,136,500 face

(90%/40%)
2012 69 / 302
2013 106 / 614
2014 110/ 695
2015 109 / 767
2016 103 / 692
2017 110 / 763 ( as of date of this post)

total 607 / 3563

Mishra: This is very helpful. Thanks for sharing. One question I have is about the 90%ers. Do these numbers include ALL 90%ers or just 1964 Kennedy halves? We can work with the data either way because you have a good sample size here.

Also, when you say 1.1 million face are you saying you've looked through over 2.2 million half dollars since 2012? That is an incredible feat. Any tips on how to go through so many? Ryedale machines don't handle half dollars. Do you hand sort or use some kind of machinery? And what about dump locations? Don't they get sick of seeing you bringing in so many halves?

And, regarding the quantities you get, do you get a box of $500 each time you go to the bank or do you also ask about smaller quantities in the tellers areas? Do any banks charge you for getting or turning in so many halves? Thanks in advance.

[mishra142]

The 90% includes all 90% types. Yes on the quantity. $500 boxes. 10-12 boxes a week for years. I have a great relationships with my banks. In the last 6 months (had a kid) I've slowed down to just 4 boxes a week and focused on the most productive type of boxes in my area and oddly enough this is my best year yet even with reduced numbers. Lol oh and yes all hand sorted.

[mishra142]

Since you're being generous with your data, can you add the face per year for those yields?

I don't keep track of years just 40% or 90%

[coppernickel]

I commend your effort. Might it be called O.C.D?

I really don't keep records just watch the results.

Thank you for sharing, it gives me more to think about.

[mishra142]

I commend your effort. Might it be called O.C.D?

I really don't keep records just watch the results.

Thank you for sharing, it gives me more to think about.

I think my wife would agree with your OCD diagnosis. lol.