I am selling some coins for a friend and among those he gave me were some rolls of 1964 halves. I've never tried to learn grading (it just doesn't matter to me), but some of these seem pretty near uncirculated. They are all shiny and the edges have that "sharp" feel like you get with proof coins or mint sets. I tried to scan a few but they come out looking nothing like they do in real life. What I'm wondering is if halves from this year in really nice shape are worth a premium over melt value, or is this a year that a ton of them are still left in great shape? BTW, I'm not looking to sell them on here, I just want some idea of what they're worth.
Not really, only melt unless its the one with very defined hair. That might be a proof but I'm not positive
If they don't grade above MS63 or so, they are essentially worth their weight in silver in my opinion.
Yes, 64 Kennedys in MS are worth more than spot. It's the first year of issue in the series, and it's the only year circulation strikes were minted of coin silver. Lots of people collect them for date sets and as type coins. But LP is right - anything under a 63 is junk silver.
Actually, silver coinage dated "1964" was minted as late as April, 1966 to create the "illusion" that silver coins were not being hoarded...and to use up the stockpile of silver planchets.
1964 Kennedy Proof + Mint set coins are a Classic!!!! 2005 SMS/SF 1st year a date most folks do not care to look or Buy. $$$ Kennedy Satin Finish SMS/SP-67 to SP-69 SP-70 Pcgs has 68 noted population report.
Regardless of actual year of striking, all 1964 Kennedys are 90% silver. Nice BU are worth a small premium. During the initial striking of clad coins and 40% silver halves beginning in 1965, the Mint was allowed to keep striking 1964 Kennedys into April 1966. So during 1965 and early 1966, we had the strange situation of 1965 clad coinage being struck alongside 90% silver coins bearing the 1964 date. This was to make certain the needs of coinage in commerce was met. Kennedys bearing the 1964 date are indistinguishable from any 1964 dated coin struck in 1966, as far as I know.
I've never paid more than bullion value for MS rolls of 1964 or 1964-D JFK half dollars whether they were in "original" rolls or in plastic tubes.
One source tells me the restrikes were farmed out to the Franklin Mint, but I can't find any information to corroborate that.
These aren't considered restrikes. These coins were continuously struck past the date on the coin and simply added to the pile of other coins within the Fed system.
Where can we get these coins at "melt value"? Every time I look, people are wanting $15 to $20 and sometimes more for half dollars.
I was unaware that 64s were minted into 65 and 66. With that being said have there ever been any 64s struck on a 40% planchet or vice versa? I only ask because I am aware of a very few 1965 Washington quartets struck on 90% (presumably from a few left in a bin).
If you go to your local coin shop and ask for junk silver half dollars, they should have them and they shouldnt be more than a 5-10% above spot.
I wouldn't call them "restrikes"...they were all US Mint production strikes. The early '60s was an interesting time for the Mint. The growing economy, the expansion of coin vending machines, and the rise in silver demand (prices) caused a coin shortage that wasn't foreseen by the Mint. By 1960, the US went from a "net buyer" of silver to a "net seller"...to maintain price stability and to calm the markets. The crisis was blamed on Coin Collectors for hoarding silver coins which were now on par with silver prices ($1.29.Oz)...and rising. To discourage coin speculators (and you know who you are :kewl, Congress authorized the use of the date "1964" for Cents through Half Dollars as late as 1966 to create the "appearance" of abundant supply. That mostly accounts for the large 1964 mintage figures. Even after the new compositions were in place, the Mint suspended the use of Mint Marks to further discourage coin hoarding by collectors. Mint marks were reintroduced in 1969. There are a number of books that discuss this interesting period of the US Mint. "The History of the US Mint and its Coinage" by David Lange is an easy, enjoyable read (See Chapter 15). You should be able to find it on Amazon.com.
I wish I could say I had such a place to go to, but no luck. I have to go 25 miles to reach a coin shop, and here's the kicker... Last time I went, there were no halves, and the owner told me it was because he couldn't afford to get them, that they went too high in the auctions.
