1776-1976 s half dollar. Proof?

[jnicholes]

So, I was doing research on proofs, trying to figure out what they are and how to identify them. While doing research, I learned that proofs are very shiny, almost mirror like.

It reminded me of a coin that I had in my collection. A 1976 s half dollar.



Here it is in my hand.



Here it is under a magnifier.

There are two questions here. First off, is this a proof? Second off, how do you usually identify a proof coin?

Any help will be appreciated,

Jared

 

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[smokeythecat]

Proofs always have an :S: mint mark.

 

[jnicholes]

Well, that answers that question. Looks like I have a proof in my hands!

 

[galenrog]

It is indeed a proof. Severely impaired, but still a proof. Value is minimal, compared to unimpaired proofs.

Time for more coffee.

 

[Anduril]

Cool
I'm old enough to remember when those first came out.
I think I may still have one or two still, but the condition would be questionable.

 

[l.cutler]

Well I can muddy it up a little. Not all S mint coins are proof and not all proofs are S minted. Before 1968 proof coins were minted at the Philadelphia mint. Since then they were minted in San Francisco, but they also continued to strike some coins for circulation. The San Francisco mint produced both proof and business strike bicentennial half dollars but yours is a proof.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I just read that business strikes have a slightly beveled edge and proofs have a more sharply squared edge. I don't own any proofs so don't know if this is true or not. Gary

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

But the question is what is on the edge? clad or silver because they made both I have found 2 of the silver proofs CRHing. Probably Grand pa's set was stolen from, for some candy.

 

[PetesPockets55]

Proofs always have an :S: mint mark.

Proofs 1968 and later will have the "S". Before then there will be no mint mark (as l.cutler stated)

And yours looks to be clad with heavy "frosting" on the bust and devices.

 

[jnicholes]

But the question is what is on the edge? clad or silver because they made both I have found 2 of the silver proofs CRHing. Probably Grand pa's set was stolen from, for some candy.

 

[jnicholes]

Proofs 1968 and later will have the "S". Before then there will be no mint mark (as l.cutler stated)

And yours looks to be clad with heavy "frosting" on the bust and devices.

Yeah, my hands are kind of dirty when I found it. It’s possible that it needs to be cleaned a little bit.

 

[cudamark]

Cleaning a proof coin is generally a bad idea. Yours is impaired however, so, do whatever you want. It won't effect value, which isn't over face value unless it's a silver version.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

View attachment 1871087

Yep clad proof. I was glad when I found my silver proof as my daughter was born in 1976 so I gave her mine, then I found another.