I have become quite interested in collecting the US halves throughout history. Currently I'm just sticking to the Kennedy halves. Is there anything anyone can tell me that I could be looking for when searching bank rolls. I have $170 in rolls here and I'm just wondering if there are certain errors, misprints, etc that I could be looking for on top of the obvious well conditioned coins for my collection.
Coin Folder When collecting a full set of coins what folders do most of you prefer. I seen many people talk about the Dansco ones. I have some kind of folder for my state quarters, but I hate it because the coins always fall through and slide around inside the page. It has this plastic slip cover that slides in and out and you push the coin in and then slide the plastic slip cover back overtop. Any suggestions on some really good, reliable folders? Bill
1964 - 90% silver 1965-1970 - 40% silver 1970 D - not released for circulation, low mintage 1987 P+D - not released for circulation, low mintage 2002-2005 P+D - not released for circulation, low mintage I'll let other people comment on errors and such
Personally I'm trying to complete a year and mintmark set, using Whitman coin folders to do it. Besides completing a set, always looking for improved condition coins on ones I have, probably the best keepers to look out for are: 1964's- 90% silver 1965-1970- 40% silver (especially the 1970-D, the key of the series, only released in mint sets) 1987 P&D- semi-key, relatively low mintages and only released in mint sets 2002-present- low mintages, only released in mint sets Anything S minted (except ones for bicentennial uncirculated sets) are proofs and worth keeping if in decent condition still. May or may not want to save 1999-P's and 2000-P's, both with mintages under 10 million, but just barely so. And of course definitely want to save any pre-1964 halves you find (though those won't be Kennedy's, but is a small chance you may find some in half dollar rolls). See anything that might have an interesting error, take a close look at it. I'm not an error expert as far as what's rare or especially valuable... but if something looks odd, take a close look to see if you have an interesting and possibly valuable error.
I like the Whitman folders myself, out of nostalgia more than anything else. Dansco is definitely the Cadillac of coin folders, but if you're not dealing with especially old or valuable coins, Whitman is a great standby. I use them for my collection of Lincoln cents, Jefferson nickels, and Kennedy halves. Anything I want to protect a little bit better I put in 2x2's.
Everyone else summed it up pretty well. I just want to encourage you to search those rolls! I never cease to be amazed at what can be found in circulation. I've been searching for less than a year, but have found some very interesting items, several hundred Walkers and Franklins, Proofs, a Barber Half and even an 1893 Columbian Expo Half. You usually don't find many coins per box, but its still a ton of fun. As an aside, it can also be fairly profitable. You won't make enough to retire on, but hey, money is money! Best of luck!
For Kennedys I'm trying to do the whole set from circulation...or for face value!!...so far I'm doing ok....still need some silver and some clad...I need that 1970-D too but I think I'll find it sometime. Speedy
You should definitely save nice AU/UNC examples of the better date regular-issue halves, especially: 1978 PD 1979 D 1982 PD 1986 PD 1988 PD 1991 PD In addition, pretty much all the dates from 1982 through 1993 (P and D) in nice condition are worth keeping because they are relatively scarce in terms of mintage, and most of the ones you find in circulation are pretty beat up because of being used at the casinos.
JFK's are one of my favorites. I started off with Whitman folders, but switched recently to Dansco. I seldom search rolls anymore, but have had good luck when I do. The banks here love to get rid of them, and I have have found some good ones, including several 1964's.
