First Kennedy Half, on paper

[curbdiggercarl57]

Getting ready to move, I found this hidden with a bunch of paperwork. Grandad was in Congress in the 1950's Kind of a neat non-dug find!

 

[gold fish]

If you could get that documented as authentic, it could be worth A LOT of money !!!!!!

 

[I_Dig_NYC]

That's gotta be worth more than your regular issue 1964 Kennedy Half.

 

[golden silver]

Kind of a neat find?? Come on that is an Outstanding find!!!!!!!! That is a museum piece that, if authentic, will bring a pretty penny if sold at auction. Wow. Congrats. Guard that thing because it is worth more than you know.

-Golden Silver

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

Thanks to all. I'm sure it's real, I got a ton of old Presidential autographs, photos, etc. How would I go about getting it authenticated? Is there a website that I could send a scan to? Again, thanks for the input!

 

[golden silver]

You could always go through the antique road show or their affiliates and get some info. They might even have something on their web page.

-Golden Silver

 

[watercolor]

That is very cool. . . I wonder what date Kennedy halves were actually released into general circulation? If it was after that date on Johnson's letter, it's value may increase even more. What a great thing to be able to pass on to the kids

I really enjoyed seeing this. . . thanks for sharing

 

[panzermeyer]

Very cool ! That would probably fetch a good price on Ebay.HH..Panz

 

[stryker-one]

Great find.

Thank you for Sharing.



Stryker

 

[WilliamBoyd]

I wouldn't sell a family item like that.

 

[ClonedSIM]

Looks like it may be the "accented hair" variety?

 

[ClonedSIM]

Here's some info on the first release of the JFK halves in 1964.

"The first Kennedy half dollars made for distribution were proofs coined early in 1964. By January 30, regular-issue coinage began at the Denver Mint, and the Philadelphia Mint followed suit the week after. These coins were released to the public amid much fanfare and anticipation on March 24, 1964. Despite limiting the number of coins they would sell to each individual, banks were quickly denuded of their supplies; few of the coins ever achieved actual circulation. From its very inception, the Kennedy half dollar became a keepsake, one cherished not only by Americans but by the late President's many foreign admirers, as well."

http://www.coinresource.com/guide/photograde/pg_50cKennedy.htm

 

[halfdime]

That is a wonderful piece of history; I'm going to try and resize the letter so it can be read more easily.

 

[jf504mp]

This is about this toopic in a way. I cannot see but just the edge of the coin and almost half of the letter. Can anyone tell me what I have wrong? This is the only forum I have this happen in. Thanks to all.....John

 

[bookfisher]

Great Piece! I'm in the antique business and the letter and signature is right as rain. Everything thing about the item, the soil marks, wear, and age to the type and paper is absolutely right. Besides, you have iron clad provenance - the coin and letter was giving to your Grandfather who was a Congressman. As to value, a signed Johnson speech recently sold on ebay (check completed auctions) for $1100.00, so in my opinion, your letter and coin is probably worth about the same. One note on the signature though, it does have to be checked by an expert to determine whether an autopen was used. If it is in fact an autopen, the value would decrease drastically.

 

[Shoe]

jf504mp - there is a scroll bar beneath the picture you can use to view more of the photo

curbdigger - FWIW, I emailed a friend of mine who collects stuff with presidential signatures on them. He has quite a few, his house is like a museum with display cabinets on the walls. He looked at your scan, and had the following comment:

This is a textbook example of a secretarial signature...they were very good at imitating his signature. For LBJ, one good rule of thumb is that if there in no period after his middle initial, then it is a secretarial sig.

 

[mercenary]

This needs to hit the best of treasurenet Once in a lifetime find, awesome!

 

[DIRTQUEEN]

good evening,

That is a wonderful find. Look up Wes Cowan. He has been on the antique road show forever. He has a huge antique house in Ohio, and you can call or send a scan and they will get back to you in a very short time. Keep us informed....dig well!

 

[JARMAN]

WOW and GRATS!! Would be hard to let go of, given the ties. But large sums can make those thoughts go away. Best of luck on the results.HH

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

Thanks to everyone, you guys give good info. Got me sending scans to a lot of people, will let you all know what I find out. This site is the greatest!