Some sort of metal covering one side of 40% halves ????

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I am going through my latest box, so far 1 90% and 6 40% but 3 of the 40% halves (so far) have some sort of metal coating one side of them. two of them are on the face and I had to scrape off the metal with a knife to see the dates. I have no idea what it might be. It seems to have a pattern to it (best seen of the one coated on the reverse) They also have some sort of orangeish coating under the metal, could it be flux? It could be some sort of lead, not sure

I am going to take them outside and hit them with a propane torch to try to melt off the metal, it won't hurt the value of the junk silver or melt the coin

 

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[Ben Cartwright SASS]

metal on face

 

[TheWalrus]

I'll bet a dime for a dollar they were either belt buckle or 1970's era wall clock mounted. The pattern on the back is similar to the texture that is on jeweler's mounts to help the adhesion. When I used to cut and mount cabochons for my craft show booth I did a few of those coin mounts using just 2 part epoxy, but some of the guys used low melt silver solder.

 

[Georgivs]

Looks like solder, which would make the brown stuff flux.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I think you are correct that it was from a mounting of some type. I heated it and melted it off, discolored but they are only worth silver anyway, It was a good box!

 

[Dozer D]

Nice going Ben.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I ordered 3 boxes for tomorrow to work while I watch the US Open hoping for another good box, nothing but skunks since April

 

[blueberra]

I ordered 3 boxes for tomorrow to work while I watch the US Open hoping for another good box, nothing but skunks since April

Ben,
I live near you and am starting to see a marked increase in silver halves over 2020. As things open up, the natural flow of coins will soon (?) return to normal -- whatever that is.

Good luck on the three boxes.