Rolls of 40% Kennedy halves... anything really worth looking for?

I have some rolls of 40% Kennedy halves. Before I sell them to the LCS or on Craigslist, is there anything *really* worth looking for in there?

I brushed up on my ANA grading skills and basically pulled out all the ones that had minor or no marks on JFK's cheek. I figured that was a good place to start. I'll keep those (for now).

I sorted them into years. From other threads here, I've read that DDO's were frequent in the 60's. Obviously, grade would be a factor, but are any of these worth more than a few dollars?

So:

1) If they are AU/low MS, are they worth any more than melt?
2) Are any errors in particular worth looking for?

 

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Depends on what dates are in them.1965 - 1967 do have some valuable die variety.

 

Thanks, jello. I have a good many '65-'67 to look though. I'll pull out the Cherrypicker's Guide tonight I guess.

 

Try that and Rick Trassco has also a die variety book just for Kennedy's. But I haven't seen it yet to go through.

 

Definitely check the 66 for doubling on the profile. There are tons of minor DDO/DDR for these coins, some of which are counted as master die doubling (i.e., not special.) (Off the top of my head) I thought there was a 67 DDO (I know I've found one at a LCS.)

 

Also, if you have any that are UNC with attractive toning, they'll probably sell for a premium over melt on eBay. I believe I just sold a '67 with a nice golden ring around the edge for about $20. And...now I want a doughnut.

 

Don't know if I would unload them just now with silver being so low.

 

Good point. But I might need to free up some cash in the next week or so.

 

66 NoFG!!!!

 

MS 66 $1000.00 No FG but 1966 in that grade is rarely found.

 

he asked what to look for...that is the big one!

 

1967 is one too. I can't recall if 1965 has that die variety too but the triple die variety is a high dollar one too.

 

The 1966 "no FG" is a Special Mint Set coin, not business strike.

For Business Strike Kennedy half dollars to look for on 40% silver stock:
1965 DDO-007
1965 DDR-004 (FS-802)
1966 DDO-005 (FS-101)
1967 DDO-001 (FS-103)
1967 DDO-007 (FS-102)

Basicly, any coin mentioned above graded MS66 by PCGS should be a $1,000 coin. PCGS has only grade one of these MS66 so far, the 1966 FS-101 and we were the under bidder at $1250 the last time it came up at action.

Generally, and DDO or DDR with the time frame you mentioned should be worth more then melt value. We have a few of them photographed in the set linked below if that helps to attribute them.

Have fun searching and if we can be of any help, drop us a PM.

http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=1165

 

@Tim C
Yes Every one is a expert SMS you correct.

 

In the grand scheme of things, I am far from being an expert on the Kennedy half dollar series. I just enjoy collecting the series with my son.

 

Let me put a different twist on this thread.

What are the mint errors that I would be most likely to find that are worth more than, say, $10?

 

2015 kennedy rolls with 1964 design is cool. In fact, every kennedy dated 2015 are same with 1964 design. Will certainly buy some.

 

A whole roll of a particular year wouldn't be worth any more, would it?

 

don't forget to look for rotated dies ...there is few types know for 1965 & 1967 according to rotateddies census

http://rotateddies.50webs.com/census.htm

 

I’m not sure what “Mint Errors” you would find, but “Die Varieties” are out there to be had if you want to put the time into them by searching.

There is a small “Brick & Mortar” shop about 60 miles travel time for us and when ever we travel to that city, we always stop in and they let me search through their 40% junk silver. On average, I will find 3 Doubled Dies for every 100 coins searched. Not all of the Doubled Dies found are the ones listed in the Cherrypickers’ Guide (but we like them all anyhow).

We keep the best ones for ourselves but have been know to sell or trade some of our spares. Just to give you an idea of prices realized for spending time searching junk silver:
1. 1965 DDR-004 (FS-802) graded MS62 sold for $375
2. 1966 DDO-005 (FS-101) graded MS64 sold for $385
3. 1967 DDO-007 (FS-102) graded AU58 sold for $250
4. 1967 DDO-001 (FS-103) graded MS64 sold for $800
5. 1967 DDR-002 (FS-801) graded MS64 sold for $350
6. 1968-D DDO-002 (FS-101) graded MS64 sold for $250

Remember, these prices mentioned are for certified and attributed coins by PCGS (each coin had a $14 grading fee, $24 attribution fee plus postage and handling fee(s) both ways.)

As I was always taught, “nothing ventured, nothing gained”.