Let's use an example - the 1976 Kennedy Half... The book I have lists 5 that were minted that year... The Denver Mint, Philadelphia Mint and the San Francisco Mint - Clad, Silver and Silver Proof... What is the difference between the San Francisco Silver and Silver Proof? Would not all Silver be proof sets? Thanks!
Howdy Pismo - Welcome to the Forum !! To answer your question - no. In '76 they issued 11,000,000 silver clad business strike Kennedy half dollars with the S mint mark and 4,000,000 silver clad Proof Kennedy half dollars with the S mint mark. They also issued 7,059,099 clad business strike Kennedy half dollars with the S mint mark which contained no silver at all. Then there were the Philly coins and Denver coins - also all clad business strikes. So your book is correct - there were 5 different ones. Oh yeah, the other question - what's the difference ? Proof is a method of manufacture and Proof coins are made specifically for collectors. The Proof coins have highly poilshed mirror finish fields and often cameo devices. Business strikes do not, and business strikes are normally made only for circulation. But in this particular year, the silver clad busines strikes were not made for circulation, they were made for collectors as well.
In 1976, the San Francisco mint released silver coins of the bicentennial quarter, half dollar, and dollar in 40% silver mint sets as well as 40% silver proof sets. They also made the normal clad proofs. So, there would be three 1976-S half dollars: 40% silver BU, 40% silver proof, and clad proof.
There were also two different types of the Ikes issued in BU and Proof. These are the type I and type II. The changeover happened in mid 1975 and is easiest to spot in the lettering of the reverse. The type I is flatterand type II is thinner and higher. There are also other differences and differences on the obverse but no known mules. Just in case this is getting too easy for you there are also two different types of the '76-S silver Uncs. The first type was run off to mint set standards on the old vertical presses and the second type was made quickly on the high speed presses. This second type is very unattractive and relatively scarce since most of this mintage was melted. There are several varieties as well.
There were also reportedly six proof sets made in Phiadelphia with the type I Ike in 1975. These didn't bear mint marks and none of the coins are known to survive except for two of the Ikes. No quarters or halfs are known.
Sorry, I have a case of the smart a-- tonight. Good job on on answering this question. You guys really covered it all.
In 1975 and 1976 both Philadelphia minted the half dollar in business strike. San Francisco minted the clad proof for the 1975 and 1976 proof sets; they also minted a business strike in 40% silver for silver uncirculated sets that ony had the bicentennial coins (qaurter, half, and dollar), and 40% silver proofs for the 3 coin bicentennial proof set with the quarter, half, and dollar.
