I posted this question previously and received a couple of responses for which I am thankful. However based on the responses my description of the coin was not clear so here I go again. I have a 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar, the diameter of the copper is smaller than the two faces. I have not seen this before. Any ideas of what happened and how common this is?
Someone with a Dremel and a steady hand? Is a close-up of the edge possible? Also, any further description would be helpful. Is there a reeded edge on the outer nickel parts of the half? Is there any indication of reeding on the copper? Anything looking like tool marks on the copper edge or insides of the nickel?
I would guess that somebody was going to make a folding coin out of it. The coin is first grooved, as your example is, then jeweler's saw is used to cut the coin in 3 pieces, typically along the edges of the device. Then a small rubber band (such as those from orthodontal braces) is used to hold all 3 pieces together. The coin flexes and can be put into a bottle as a gimmick. I've seen folding quarters, but never a half dollar. Maybe whoever was doing it....tried one and it didn't do well, so they opted out of finishing it. Here's a video... http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1061672/diy_folding_quarter/ Nightowl
I've noticed that older coins (ones from the 70's) seemed like they have more nickel cladding them. I have no proof, but it is my belief that because the nickel is more expensive than the copper, it is in the mints interest to make the nickels layers as thin as possible. So, with improved technology the nickel edges have become thinner and thinner. You see this easily with quarters from the 70's versus the statehood quarters.
Thanks for the reply. All of the "edges" show reed marks and they appear to line up. I can see no indication of tool marks. Any idea what happened?
I heard before that an acidic solution will eat away the copper faster than the cladding leaving the diameter of the copper smaller than the outside clad layers. Maybe that is what happened here.
could have just been a thin spot in the sheet they punched the planchet from,not anything I would be concerned about. the thickness of copper to cladding is really not to important to any perceived value,cut a coin in half and you'll see that almost all the cladding and copper on the earlier clad coins was of variable thicknesses. Another way it could have happened is if the planchet had a air pocket in it then when pressed it compressed the air pocket out leaving less material in the middle.
