1977 D Silver Half Dollar Error?

[Bidoof77]

I don’t post much here or comment but I love to read forums on this website. I need your guys help. I was coin roll hunting and I think I found the rare error. I don’t have a scale but the edge looks silver. Should I send it off to be graded and or authenticated? Thank you!

 

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[Barrydang]

Does it sound like a clad one if you drop in a counter? Silver will have very different sound.

 

[l.cutler]

An inexpensive scale would be a lot cheaper than sending it out to a grader if you are not sure.

 

[Diver_Down]

An inexpensive scale would be a lot cheaper than sending it out to a grader if you are not sure.

+1

Need to know the weight first.

 

[A2coins]

If they stopped using 90 percent silver in 64 then 40 percent till 70 how could that ever happen even by error.

 

[A2coins]

Thats a question!! not trying to make a mean comment Im learning stuff everyday and want to know if this did ever happen.......Tommy

 

[CJ9]

If they stopped using 90 percent silver in 64 then 40 percent till 70 how could that ever happen even by error.

Maybe left over from the bicentennial silver clads

 

[Barrydang]

If they stopped using 90 percent silver in 64 then 40 percent till 70 how could that ever happen even by error.

In 76 San Francisco minted 40% bicentennial half dollar. They accidentally carried some of those over to those coins or just used them cause they had them. I have not researched it that well.

 

[galenrog]

Weigh it. 90% 12.50 grams. 40% 11.50 grams. Copper cupronickel clad 11.34 grams.

Time for more coffee.

 

[HuntH2002]

Interesting find

Would also like to know the weight

 

[Bidoof77]

I did a tissue test and a drop test safely and I’m starting to have my doubts this could would have been worth 4 figures if it was what I thought it was. I guess my question is can a small amount of clad show up on a silver clad Kennedy from 1965-1970. It is so so faded it looks like silver compared to other edges. I wonder if that just means the clad on the edge is faded. Can that happen? Or can it still be a piece of silver clad. I recognize that weighing it is the answer but I can’t do that at this time

 

[Diver_Down]

I did a tissue test and a drop test safely and I’m starting to have my doubts this could would have been worth 4 figures if it was what I thought it was. I guess my question is can a small amount of clad show up on a silver clad Kennedy from 1965-1970. It is so so faded it looks like silver compared to other edges. I wonder if that just means the clad on the edge is faded. Can that happen? Or can it still be a piece of silver clad. I recognize that weighing it is the answer but I can’t do that at this time

Yes, the rim check showing a muted clad layer can indeed not be as evident due to the two metals interacting with environmental factors causing discoloration. And you are off on the value. The silver '71 errors have realized $82K at auction.

Tommy, CJ suggested a possible answer with leftover planchets from the bicentennial. But also realize the US Mint produces coins for other countries.

 

[enamel7]

Not to mention that 40% half dollars have nothing to do with this. The coins are 2 different sizes, so leftover planchets wouldn't apply.

 

[rangermsg1]

I would guess that it is silver plated ( similar to gold plated) as I have come across some silver plated halves.

 

[Diver_Down]

Not to mention that 40% half dollars have nothing to do with this. The coins are 2 different sizes, so leftover planchets wouldn't apply.

Perhaps, I'm misunderstanding your statement. But 40% half dollars and clad half dollars have the same diameter of 30.6mm and the same thickness of 2.15mm.

Overall, I think the OP's coin is CuNi clad and it would be extremely remote that planchets used in '75 at the San Fran mint found their way to Denver years later. But the wrong planchet errors have shown up in '71 Kennedy halves along with Balboa's being struck on 40% planchets.

 

[galenrog]

All I did was post the various weight of halves for comparison. Without further evidence, my opinion is this coin is either a common clad whose copper core was obscured when the planchette was punched, or it is a common clad that has been plated, the former being a bit more likely than the latter. Weight the coin. That, alone, will tell much of the tale.

 

[Fossils]

There's a small chance that your coin could have a rare planchet error: http://worldnumismaticnews.com/2018/06/15/the-1977-kennedy-half-dollar-coins-worth-big-money/

If this is the case, then your coin could be worth a lot of money. Don't waste time dinging the coin to listen for a sound. Just weight the coin based on the measurements that other users have provided. If the coin weighs the same as a 90% silver Kennedy half dollar, then you should look into getting it authenticated.

 

[LooseChange]

I did a tissue test and a drop test safely and I’m starting to have my doubts this could would have been worth 4 figures if it was what I thought it was. I guess my question is can a small amount of clad show up on a silver clad Kennedy from 1965-1970. It is so so faded it looks like silver compared to other edges. I wonder if that just means the clad on the edge is faded. Can that happen? Or can it still be a piece of silver clad. I recognize that weighing it is the answer but I can’t do that at this time

If this is a 1977D struck on a silver planchet, it would be a 40% planchet which could show some clad layering but would not necessarily have to. It would look like the edge of a 1965 - 1970 Kennedy. The edges of those coins can have varying appearance.

Although 1977D struck on 40% planchet is a real thing, it is unlikely. Any jeweler could weigh it for you.

 

[enamel7]

Perhaps, I'm misunderstanding your statement. But 40% half dollars and clad half dollars have the same diameter of 30.6mm and the same thickness of 2.15mm.

Overall, I think the OP's coin is CuNi clad and it would be extremely remote that planchets used in '75 at the San Fran mint found their way to Denver years later. But the wrong planchet errors have shown up in '71 Kennedy halves along with Balboa's being struck on 40% planchets.

My mistake. I was tired and thought the original coin was an Ike dollar.

 

[Scott (Mich)]

You also may be able to tell with a good metal detector. Get a '64, a late 60's, and then a known clad half and see where they come up on the detectors scale/readout, then compare those to your 1977. Chances are that it is plated or painted. I read on here a long time ago where some smart alec would spray the edges of his clad with silver paint just to mess with other crh-ers .