:hatch:Newbie question! I was just wondering, in layman's terms, what to look for when going through rolls of half dollars from the bank? My bank has no problem ordering boxes for me, they don't charge and don't seem annoyed at all, so I thought what the heck! But I don't really know what to look for other than halves minted before 1971 (obvously) for the silver value, but beyond that I am lost.... Thanks for your help!!! PS: if talking about errors and such pictures would be awesome! I'm not sure what "double die" is or how to tell the difference between "proof" and non-proof, etc....I need some education!!
Hello, Check for any S mint marks and when you see a proof coin it is easy to tell. I have went through countless boxes and have found quite a few silver halves (even a few barbers) but I have sold most of them since silver has went up. The proof coins have a shine that is easy to see. I also save 2002 and above because of the lower mintage and they are always in AU to Unc condition.
Can you still find stuff like that at least semi-regularly? I'm thinkin' I might try that if that's the case . :eat:
........what you need is a cherrypickers' guide book. i forget which volume covers half dollars, but that would point out doubled dies and re punched mint marks and other things to look for. i'll find out which volume it is and post it later.
Two years ago you stood a better chance of getting some goodies searching through rolls. I have given up now because of competition in my area. I still hear of people finding 40% and 90% Kennedys as well as an occasional walker, Barber, and even a Columbian Exposition half. You're only out the time invested, so pick up a few rolls and good luck!
Territory (as in, Federal Reserve District) means just about everything, here. Which state are you in?
Also, you may want to purchase a copy of the Red Book by Whitman Publishing. This would give you general information as to mintages and approximater values although about 20% to high. Your lucky if your banks will allow you to order those. Around me none of the banks I know of will do that anymore. To start with look at the edges of those for non clad ones. Those are the Silver older ones. Oddly enough since so many people are dumping saved money due to out of work, you may find all kinds of valuable coins. One of the problems with half dollars is all the recent one have to be in MS-63or higher to be of any value for todays market. By recent I mean from about 71 to present. You may find many in great shape though since so many people don't use them so they basically stay in good shape. USED to be a great thing for the slot machines but those days are fading too.
