Collection Unsearched
Posted in Uncategorized on 09/28/2005 09:49 am by admin
Collection Unsearched
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US $34.95
Released into circulation in the mid 1960's and 1970, the silver Kennedy half dollars represent the end of an era in circulating silver US coins.
Additionally, these early halves are significantly more valuable than today's modern half dollars.
The opportunity to you is most people don't realize, or remember, they contain a large amount of silver. Let's start with the first year 1964, a very special year.
In 1964 the new silver Kennedy half dollars were introduced and contained a hefty 90% silver content. The minimum value is $4.50 to $5.00 each. These halves were released into circulation in huge quantities, to the total of over 429 million pieces. Accordingly, many were saved in remembrance of President Kennedy's assignation in 1963.
The following years however, 1965 through 1970 the metal alloy composition was changed to a 40% silver content and an additional total of more than 846 million were minted. The minimum value of these halves is $1.50 to $2.00 each with silver in the $13 to $14 price range. It is this group of coins that represent the real opportunity because...
1971 is the pivotal year when the metal alloy composition was changed to the modern Clad alloy, a copper core sandwiched between outer layers of copper-nickel. These later modern halves contain no silver.
Today's Silver Opportunity
And that brings us to today, where the situation is... in many peoples holdings the silver halves are casually grouped together with the clad coinage. Not realizing the value of the silver halves, they occasionally slip back into circulation by spending or exchanging them for cash at the bank.
Take the initiative, visit the lobby of your bank and obtain rolls of half dollars. Give them a thorough search for the silver Kennedy half dollars. Furthermore, should you find any US halves dated prior to 1964, congratulations, all are 90% silver and worth at least $4.50 to $5.00 each, some even more valuable as collectibles.
As you hopefully begin to find a few sliver halves, the task does become easier. There is a slight color difference between the clad and silver halves and your eyes quickly adjust to detect the variance.
Widen your net, visit many of your local banks, and search through the floating supply of half dollars in your area. You just may end up with your own box of valuable old coins. The silver Kennedy half dollars are out there, in the millions, waiting for you to discover.
Are any worth more than the silver value? An excellent question, and the answer is yes, but...
The Silver Plus Opportunity
The values quoted above is the value of the silver in the coin. Dealers and collectors refer to this as the bullion value. Silver Kennedy half dollars are worth more than bullion value to collectors if, and this is the important part... the coin is "Uncirculated." This is a coin best described as one in brand new condition, with no signs of wear.
Most silver halves you find, unfortunately, will have slight wear, evident on the high points of the design. However, I am sure many were saved each year as they were minted, so there is always a chance of finding some in "Uncirculated" condition. And if the coin is outstanding in appearance, there is the possibility of higher value.
Just for fun, as you are looking through all those halves, pick out a nice example of each different date and mintmark as you find them. Following is a quick word about were the mintmarks hide...
Locating the Mintmarks
Mintmarks are used to indicate the branch that produced the coin. "D" for the Denver mint, "P" for the Philadelphia mint, and "S" for San Francisco. In 1964 the mintmark is on the reverse, below the eagle's right claw. In later years it moved to the obverse just above the date.
Note: The San Francisco coins are special proof coins packaged and issued as collectibles. It is doubtful many will find their way into circulation. But there is always that chance.
The Kennedy half dollar is a long running series spanning from 1964 to the present. As an added benefit you can assemble an extensive Kennedy half dollar collection of your own.
After pulling the coins you want, exchange the rest for more unsearched rolls at the bank and continue the hunt for the forgotten Silver Kennedy Half Dollars.
Dan Harris researches coin values and publishes the findings at CoinStudy.com. If you are curious of finding more half dollar value... go straight to the page: http://www.coinstudy.com/half-dollar-value.html
Additionally, practical advice is given to identify all of your coins, by date, mintmark, special varieties and an introduction to the importance of "Grading" the condition of coins and how it affects value. Visit: http://www.CoinStudy.com