How can you tell a proof half dollar?

[heckofagator]

Hey gang,

Just picked up my first batch of coins today. I hit 2 banks and got about $40 worth of halfs. No silver that I can see. I did find one 2008 NIFC.

What I'm curious about, though, and I can't seem to find a good reference to is how do you tell a proof coin apart? Will the shine/finish be readily visible? I have 2 coins, might be a tad shinier than the others, but again, I'm not sure what more to look for.

Thanks!
Aaron

 

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[Styfflin]

An S mint mark is the one for sure way to identify clad proofs. Also a thicker rim and more shine.

 

[heckofagator]

Thanks! So any S mint marked half dollar is a proof?

 

[kfs]

Some coins are minted at West Point that are proofs mostly commemorative halves and there are some at least older coins minted in San Francisco (S) that are not proofs

Proofs have the frosted look as opposed to just a fine shine on the coin

 

[ArkieBassMan]

Thanks! So any S mint marked half dollar is a proof?

Yes. If your half has an "s" mintmark, it is a proof. The only exception is they did make an "s" mintmark 40% silver bicentennial half that is not a proof.

However, that only applies from 1968 through the present. Before that, proofs were winted in Philadelphia and have no mintmark.