71d silver half?

[thing]

I got this coin yesteray and it looks silver. It seems to have the correct luster and it even has black tarnish on it. I know they didnt officially make silver in 71. But maybe it was an accident? Or someone silver plated the coin. Does any know if there is a way to tell.

 

[jrf30]

I've heard of no 1971 silver halves out there. Does it have the silver high pitched ring when you bounce it?

 

[FL Junkman]

Have you tried weighing it? Should weigh approx. 11.5 grams if silver, otherwise about 11.2.

FL Junkman

 

[OmegaMan]

A few coins dated 1971-d and 1977-d were struck in silver clad composition by mistake.
If you found one, it might be a good idea to bring it to a coin dealer and find out.

 

[thing]

wouldnt 40 years of wear cause the coin to loose .3 or more grams, making the weight test invalid?
I am really bad with the sound test so that wont help

Have you tried weighing it? Should weigh approx. 11.5 grams if silver, otherwise about 11.2.

FL Junkman

 

[AGCoinHunter]

wouldnt 40 years of wear cause the coin to loose .3 or more grams, making the weight test invalid?
I am really bad with the sound test so that wont help

Have you tried weighing it? Should weigh approx. 11.5 grams if silver, otherwise about 11.2.

FL Junkman

There is quite the distinct difference in the sound of silver vs. clad. If you cant tell, you might want to run out to the nearest hearing aid shop...

 

[snappy]

you could always do the sandpaper test. rub the edge across some sandpaper. copper will show.

 

[Darth Walker]

Agree, there are some rarities 71d and 77d that were strucked on a silver blank by error.

Send your coin to PCGS to be graded as error coin. if it is a real 71 d or 77 d silver then you have a very valuable coin or an extreme rarity.

DW

 

[Coins4Cheese]

Get a white piece of printer paper, clean off part of the edge of the half, and rub the coin against the paper. Silver will discolor the paper, while clad doesn't.

 

[LemonThrower]

what Darth said.

also, look at the edge for a copper band.

 

[mistergee]

how about a pic?