1964 D half dollar

I'm new at this... so you guys tell me what you think... Found this today. I'm not good with double dies and such but when I look at it through my loop it lookds like it may be... Tell me what you think and what it may be worth. If nothing else its a shiny 64!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

1

more

 

18 views and no replies? Hmmmm that must not be good lol.

 

Sorry, your photos are fairly blurry but from what I can see the doubling appears to be strike doubling, not from a doubleD die.

 

You started the thread at half past midnight Eastern time. Not everyone monitors this site 24/7. Some people are in bed at that time.

 

Md

 

What does md mean? Sorry I'm a newb here don't know all the abbreviations yet.

 

Well, for one it is 90% silver, so about $10. MD means machine or mechanical doubling, meaning that happend when it was struck, not on the dies.

 

Here's a diagram to help you distinguish between mechanical doubling, and double die.

 

Hey thanks! That diagram really helps!

 

I too, have to agree with everyone on the MD, but atleast it's 90% silver! right now it's melt value is at $10.03

 

I am sorry I didn't provide a better explanation of MD (Mechanical or Machine Doubling). A true double die is made when the die is engraved. Sometimes the pattern will shift slightly and the engraver, following the pattern will actually carve out extra grooving alongside and make the "doubling" effect. A RPM (re-punched mint mark) is just that. The mint marks were placed into the die with a hand held punch. If the engraver tapped the punch with his hammer twice not aligning it perfectly with the first one, it created that doubling effect on the mark. It's easier to visualize when you remember that raised places like the numbers and lettering on a coin are actually depressed on the die.

Machine doubling happens when the dies shift slightly as they are compressed against the sides of the planchet. The rims are rolled onto the planchet before it goes into the press. The press stamps out the coin at a pretty high speed. So there will sometimes be slippage.

Here's a look at the process
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/coinnews/mintingProcess/

Good luck with the searching !!

gary:thumb:

 

That's turned out to be the veritable "cut to the chase" diagram.

 

I don't know who made it, but it really is helpful for distinguishing between mechanical doubling and double die strikes.

 

So, with all that said... What type of grade would this coin be looking at?

 

XF-AU

Lots of wear on both sides, but the clarity of your pics make it hard to see how much wear there really is.