1970-D Silver?

[Rascal]

After nearly 120 boxes I finally found a 1970-D. BUT, it looks like it is silver. Very nice condition, very sharp (bit not as sharp as the 1980-S proof found a few rolls later). The edges are silver color with *maybe* just a bare hint of copper color, and that when using 2.25x mag reading glasses and I still can't be certain it is there.

I already found the 1970-S a few months ago but the D has always eluded me. I know the S was clad but the D puzzles me. Were some of them minted in 40%?

Rascal

 

[maverick]

I know the experts will chime in here soon, but, as far as I know, all 1970's are 40% silver. I could be wrong thought, yes, it has happened before, lol. HH, Maverick.

 

[AdDicted2Ag]

I would say 40% I have had many of them that look 90% from the side...

 

[CoinFetcher]

If it ain't a '64 of below.

Or a post '82 commemorative

Then it is NOT a 90% silver coin. These are the facts. You have a 40% silver coin. Weigh it.

 

[FreedomUIC]

If it ain't a '64 of below.

Or a post '82 commemorative

Then it is NOT a 90% silver coin. These are the facts. You have a 40% silver coin. Weigh it.

Correct except for the Silver Mint Sets that started in 1999, I believe....Old age is catching up with me.

 

[Diver_Down]

To address the OP - You have a 40% silver that was only issued in mint sets. Welcome to the club.

Now, to correct some of the other information:

With regards to 90% silver coinage -
1. 64 and below is obvious
2. The Mint began in 1992 issuing both clad proof sets and silver proof sets which are 90% silver for the half, quarter, and dime.
3. Post '82 commemorative is really wrong to issue a blanket statement like that. More likely a half commemorative after '82 will be clad. The only exceptions are the '82 GW 90% silver half and the James Madison (Bill of Rights) 90% silver half dollar. All other modern commemorative half dollars are clad. Commemorative dollars are 90% silver.

40% silver coinage -
1. 65 -70
2. Bicentennial S mint business strikes
3. Bicentennial S mint proofs were issued in clad and 40% silver.

 

[FreedomUIC]

To address the OP - You have a 40% silver that was only issued in mint sets. Welcome to the club.

Now, to correct some of the other information:

With regards to 90% silver coinage -
1. 64 and below is obvious
2. The Mint began in 1992 issuing both clad proof sets and silver proof sets which are 90% silver for the half, quarter, and dime.
3. Post '82 commemorative is really wrong to issue a blanket statement like that. More likely a half commemorative after '82 will be clad. The only exceptions are the '82 GW 90% silver half and the James Madison (Bill of Rights) 90% silver half dollar. All other modern commemorative half dollars are clad. Commemorative dollars are 90% silver.

40% silver coinage -
1. 65 -70
2. Bicentennial S mint business strikes
3. Bicentennial S mint proofs were issued in clad and 40% silver.

Thanks for the info. I couldn't for the life of me remember when the Silver mint sets started back up again.

 

[Rascal]

DD, I thank you for the info. For some reason I had stuck in my brain that 1970's were only rare, not silver. Have only a few more common dates to find that are in displayable condition to complete my first set. For some reason 1985's have eluded me in this regard, i.e. nice enough to be displayed. A few others and I will have one complete set of the three I desire.

Rascal

 

[CoinFetcher]

I only included the post '82 commem. as being an option for having a 90%er. obviously, not every commemorative half is 90% silver.

 

[Vergie]

To address the OP - You have a 40% silver that was only issued in mint sets. Welcome to the club.

Now, to correct some of the other information:

With regards to 90% silver coinage -
1. 64 and below is obvious
2. The Mint began in 1992 issuing both clad proof sets and silver proof sets which are 90% silver for the half, quarter, and dime.
3. Post '82 commemorative is really wrong to issue a blanket statement like that. More likely a half commemorative after '82 will be clad. The only exceptions are the '82 GW 90% silver half and the James Madison (Bill of Rights) 90% silver half dollar. All other modern commemorative half dollars are clad. Commemorative dollars are 90% silver.

40% silver coinage -
1. 65 -70
2. Bicentennial S mint business strikes
3. Bicentennial S mint proofs were issued in clad and 40% silver.

Will you know the S mint silvers based on the edges or do you need to look at the obverse side and weigh it?

 

[CoinFetcher]

Will you know the S mint silvers based on the edges or do you need to look at the obverse side and weigh it?

you will need to look at the edge, OR weigh the coin. Or get a really good eye for silver vs nickle finish.

S mint mark does not stand for Silver. It means San Fran. - where the coin was made. The make both copper/nickle, and silver coins.

 

[CW3(ret) US Army]

Congrats on your find. I've done some 400 boxes & haven't found a 1970 (either D or S) yet. As far as I know, 65-70 halfs were 40% silver. It should weigh at least 11.5 grams. A clad half weighs less than that.

Happy Hunting & Happy Holidays to All
Gary