Bicentennial: 90% or 40% ?

[Piledriver]

I have a Bicentennial half with a silver edge, an "S" mint mark, but a faint clad line in the edge.

Is it 40%?

I thought all "S" silver bicentennials were 90%.

Fill me in here, please.

P.D.

 

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[Delta2187]

Peaked my interest too! Can't wait to hear...

 

[Dok Holliday]

40% half dollars are silver, and clad at the same time. They are made with 2 different types of silver clad together.

The outer layer is 80% silver, as to look simmilar to the 90% coins that preceded them. If the whole coin was 40%, it would not look silvery, but yellowish, a dirty color of silver. The inside is made of ~ 26% Silver, to balance the entire coin out at 40% silver. The middle layer on a 40% clad coin will be blue/brown-grey looking.

 

[Bigheed]

i'm not 100% sure on this one but I think for the Bi's they made both 40% and 90% varieties for collectors didn't they?

 

[Generic_Lad]

i'm not 100% sure on this one but I think for the Bi's they made both 40% and 90% varieties for collectors didn't they?

I'm pretty sure that all of the Bicentennial silvers are 40%, even the dollar and quarter.

I don't think they started making 90% coins again until 1992 with the silver proof sets.

 

[Bigheed]

ya i just did a little checking and I think you are correct on them being 40%

 

[Diver_Down]

i'm not 100% sure on this one but I think for the Bi's they made both 40% and 90% varieties for collectors didn't they?

I'm pretty sure that all of the Bicentennial silvers are 40%, even the dollar and quarter.

I don't think they started making 90% coins again until 1992 with the silver proof sets.

Ding, Ding, Ding... We have a winner. Also, keep in mind that San Fran produced both clad and 40%'ers for the bicentennials.

 

[usandthem]

In 1982 the George Washington commemorative half was minted in 90% silver. Just sayin'.

 

[MIhunter]

I have found 2 40% silver bicentennials and I can see why people could be confused to thinking they may be 90%. They tend to be very shiny since that have not circulated as much as most 40% silver clad (65-69).
If you doubt the above posts, put the coin on a scale. 40%ers all weigh 11.5 grams vs 12.5 grams for 90% halves. This is true of commerative as well as silver proof.

 

[Dok Holliday]

In 1982 the George Washington commemorative half was minted in 90% silver. Just sayin'.

+1

 

[Piledriver]

Thanks, ever' body !

Keep on Rollin' !

 

[santafeboy]

I picked up 3 of these this summer together at one bank. I can see how they can be mistaken for 90%.Mine are mint and the edge looks just like a 90% not the standard 40% edge