I don't have one, so don't get all excited. How would you tell the difference between a 40% silver 1965 and one that had been struck on a 90% silver planchet? Would the weight be the only way to tell? 40% silver clad: 11.50 g 90% silver: 12.50 g
If you turn the coin sideways to look at the rim, you can see a distinct bronze colour sandwiched between two thin silver colour layers. This is the 40% Kennedy clad. However, if you were to do the same with a 90% silver Kennedy, there would be no bronze copper layer sandwiched in between, it would simply be all silver in colour, reflecting the much higher 90% purity.
Very nice explanation - but has there been any 90% silvers struck in 1965 when they changed it to 40% silver content? And how can a coin have 40% silver content if it has a copper core?
You could always check the date on the coin. Clad coinage is struck in a style called cupro-nickel. A layer of copper between two layers of nickel. This was done for several reasons. One, to give the coins at least some intrinsic value, but less than face value. Two, the nickel closely resembled the silver surface of the previous coins, and last, so they would closely match the electromagnetic qualities of the silver coin it replaced and work in vending machines. You can see this by looking at the coins edge, which shows a copper center.
The silver clad coins (1965-1970) were composed of silver and copper. The clad coins beginning in 1971 were composed of copper and nickel. If you look at the edge of the silver clad coins, it doesn't really show a copper color. It is more of a grayish color. Chris
I wanted to say that earlier but didn't have time to type it out. I don't know if it's the silver that tones the copper or the other way around, sometimes it's almost black. You can rub the reeded edge with a pencil eraser to clean it off enough to see the clad layers without damaging the coin. If it turns out that the silver color is throughout on a 65, then it may pay you to do further research.
That's what I'm saying. If a 1965 was struck on a 90% planchet, it should weigh more. I've seen lots of 65-70 halves that *look* completely silver on the edge at first. It just got me thinking if any had ever been found. I assumed try had but couldn't find record of any.
Ummmm, not on any 1965-1970 coin that I've ever seen since "bronze" is typically an alloy made up of copper and tin. Yes there is a discoloration on the edges of the 1965-1970 Kennedy Half dollars but that is due to the core being 80% Copper and 20% Silver which gives the core more of a silvery-grey tone. Typically, when a lot of wear is introduced, the edges of these coins can turn almost black. I have had, on occasion, missed a Silver Clad half within a group of CnClad Halves due to the darkness of the edge. The FIRST order of business in determining if a 1965 Kennedy Half is of 90% Silver and 10% Copper is by weight. Other more specific tests can be performed but typically, if it weighs the same as a 1964 Kennedy Half then it's a 90% Silver Alloy.
http://www.coinworld.com/insights/w...steve-roach-numismatics-collecting-hobby.html Someone, I believe it was @cpm9ball posted one on one of these threads not long ago
"Ummmm, not on any 1965-1970 coin that I've ever seen since "bronze" is typically an alloy made up of copper and tin. Yes there is a discoloration on the edges of the 1965-1970 Kennedy Half dollars but that is due to the core being 80% Copper and 20% Silver which gives the core more of a silvery-grey tone. Typically, when a lot of wear is introduced, the edges of these coins can turn almost black. I have had, on occasion, missed a Silver Clad half within a group of CnClad Halves due to the darkness of the edge." By "bronze" I referred to the colour only or "discolouration" you refer to. I wasn't discussing chemical properties professor, just furthering the explanation found above my original post to assist "wcoins" in finding his answer to the question he asked. That is all.
Weight would be the first and easiest first test. If the weight indicates that there is a good chance it is 90% then a specific gravity test would be next and it would be conclusive. All the discussion about the edge is interesting but also somewhat subjective and inconclusive. Even if the appearance of the edge would seem to indicate 90% silver it would still have to be confirmed by weight and specific gravity testing.
