Silver Bicentennial!

[Coin_Surfer]

I was searching through a box if half dollars and expecting nothing because the boxes have been really bad. I saw a large dull rim so I pulled it out. I saw the S and instantly knew it was a proof. My dad then said test it to see if it is a silver. I did the sound test and sure enough it was! No matter how dirty this one is, I will still take it!

 

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[maverick]

Awesome find, those are a hard one to come across, I have found 2 in a year if searching and hundreds if boxes, 1 of them is my Avatar. HH, Maverick.

 

[fixxxer9]

Wow that is awesome! Nice find!

 

[FloridaFinder]

I found my 2nd one yesterday. Too bad they're only 40% silver but I still love them. Even more than a Walker or Ben.

Congrats!!!

HH

 

[cooper36]

Nice find.

 

[usandthem]

The coin in the picture doesn't look like a proof. Could just be the photo. I think they made a business strike in 40%. I could be wrong.

 

[Infowarrior]

Very nice!!

I still have yet to find a silver bicentennial, but I have found a clad proof, which I like, even though it is still only clad

 

[bblair]

Nice find! I actually got a nice looking one in a box tonight as well.

 

[MentalUnrest]

The coin in the picture doesn't look like a proof. Could just be the photo. I think they made a business strike in 40%. I could be wrong.

It is a proof. Has a S mint mark on it.

 

[AdDicted2Ag]

Congrats.. Just like I like them.. Nice and dirty... That coin developed some beautiful age to it..

 

[PhattyB]

It is a proof. Has a S mint mark on it.

Doesn't matter, like he said, they made business strike S mint too. Either way, 40% silver is the only thing that matters now.. it's marginally above junk because of the date.

 

[MentalUnrest]

Doesn't matter, like he said, they made business strike S mint too. Either way, 40% silver is the only thing that matters now.. it's marginally above junk because of the date.

I'm confused and hoping someone can clear this up. I've looked it up in Redbook and do not see anything about this. Under 1976 it states the mintage for the 1976S clad/copper at 11,000,000 and the 1976S silver/clad at 4,000,000.

Business strike is just another term for circulated coins and I know no silver coins were made for circulation after 1969. All silvers from that point on were in proof sets.

It certainly does not have the characteristics of a proof being so dull - looks just like a 65-69 half.

Not a big deal but I am pretty confused now so hoping someone with more knowledge than me can chime in and set the record straight.

My understanding is the 1974 S Cent was the last coin bearing the S mint mark that was for general circulation.

Thanks
MU

 

[PhattyB]

I could be wrong, but I thought they were in sets, but not proof struck... I wouldn't mind a straight record either.

 

[Diver_Down]

San Fran made 3 types of our beloved Bicentennial. Clad Proof, Silver Proof, and Silver business strike. The silver is 40%.

 

[Diver_Down]

I'm confused and hoping someone can clear this up. I've looked it up in Redbook and do not see anything about this. Under 1976 it states the mintage for the 1976S clad/copper at 11,000,000 and the 1976S silver/clad at 4,000,000.

Business strike is just another term for circulated coins and I know no silver coins were made for circulation after 1969. All silvers from that point on were in proof sets.

It certainly does not have the characteristics of a proof being so dull - looks just like a 65-69 half.

Not a big deal but I am pretty confused now so hoping someone with more knowledge than me can chime in and set the record straight.

My understanding is the 1974 S Cent was the last coin bearing the S mint mark that was for general circulation.

Thanks
MU

You mention that no business strike silver halves were minted after '69, yet we all seek the '70-D which is a business strike. The '70-D was only available in mint sets and it was not intended for circulation. Now, you quoted the RedBook and you are misreading the information. Proof mintages are always in parenthesis.

1976-S (7,059,099) is the copper/clad proof.
1976-S Silver Clad 11,000,000 business strike
1976-S Silver Clad (4,000,000) proof

You will note the silver clad Ikes have the same mintages along with the corresponding bicentennial quarters. They were sold to collectors in their respective set.

 

[MentalUnrest]

Perfect! Thanks Diver. You were exactly the person I knew would set it straight.

I completely forgot about mint sets and was only thinking of proofs.

Thank You
MU

 

[fistfulladirt]

In years and years of searching halves I have found the 1970 D and S mints but for some reason the silver bicentennial has been out of reach for me, so I say congrats to your find and good luck in the hunt.

 

[baddbluff]

I found my first '76s 40% silver proof today. I have found 2 '76s 40% mint set (business strikes), but the silver proof is a little tougher to find in the wild. Here's a pic of all three together: 1) '76s proof clad, 2) '76s 40% "business strike", and 3) '76s 40% proof. Found all three of these this year already!

HH All
BB

 

[panthermartin]

I'm new at this, so please forgive my ignorance, but how can I tell if a Bicentennial half is a silver, business, or clad? I got 1776 half, but it doesn't show a "D or S" on it. Is it worth more than .50c ?
Thanks

 

[usandthem]

If it has no mint mark it is made in Philly and is cupro-nickel clad. It is worth 50 cents.