So here are pics of 3 1972 kennedy half dollars I have found searching rolls. I have a couple questions regarding them. judging by these pictures would these be considered coins missing the designers initials( I have found many with barely visible initials, two of these have the G slightly visible under magnification, the other the inits are completely gone.) Also anyone have an idea of value/trends for the 1972 no initials error/variety. Thanks
Coins that are truly considered as "missing the initials" are those like the 1982 P that for some reason did not have the initials on the die. Many coins dated in the 1970s and 1980s were victimized by dies clashing without the benefit of a planchet being between the dies. A step that is taken after dies clash (die abrasion, also called die polishing) in order to remove the clash marks effects the area of the initials and they are partially removed from the die by abrasion. It also happens that the initials on the die which are recessed can be partially filled by grease or debris as a coin is struck and that can also partially obliterate the initials. Some people try to make something out of coins with weak initials or with one sorta missing, but they are as common as sand and should command no premium. Some guides even list them but I put about 50 per week back into the rolls that I search as they are valueless. The 1982 P is a good one, the rest are questionable. Thanks, Bill
From what I see this appears to be an obscure variety of "mint error". A bit of information pertaining to this enquiry can be found at the following links: One Minute Coin Expert, Scott Travers, pg. 50 Silver can still be found in half dollar rolls, Numismatic News, Ginger Rapsus, February 16, 2010 Hope this helps.
The 1982 P is technically a die variety but the others are minor and common errors. As mentioned they are called coins struck by overly abraded dies if that is the case. OR...coins struck by a filled die, if that is the case. Thanks, Bill
If you can see any part, I don't consider it one. Like foundinrolls said-common as sand. I have seen $40 for an 82 no FG but don't remember where.
There must be no indication of the initials at all. The no initials must be the result of die abrasion and not a grease filled die. For the OP's coins, Coin 1 and Coin 3 are grease filled dies since the G is readily visible. Coin number 2 is close but since the "humps" are still visible, no banana. As for value's, I've had a "substantial" offer for my MS63 No FG. Consider this Teletrade auction: http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=2763&lot=1452 (Add a $57 buyers fee to that Realized price.) These coins are very difficult to find. after lucking on this one, I submitted two others which I thought were locks! Both were No Go's and not No FG's!
I sure am glad that someone agrees with me. In another post I was told that I didn't understand. Clash Marks, Abrasion, and Worthless. This does bring to mind the 1922 no D LWC and the 1937-D 3 legged Buffalo Nickel. Thanks Bill for clearing this up and I think everyone should bookmark this thread...
Thanks everyone for the responses, it is funny that the same overzealous polishing of a modern coin can be considered a minor error, where something like the buffalo nickel or 22 no D penny are collectors dreams..Again thanks to everyone who responded lots of great info....
No one mentioned the 1966 SMS Kennedy half dollar that is missing the designer’s initials. A high grade slabed example can go for over $1000. In James Wiles Kennedy Half Dollar book he mentions two varieties, the abraded die reverse ADR-001 and the ADR-002. The ADR-001 is the big one that is associated with the CONECA listed 66SMS DDO-002, stage E...a light triple spread on TRUST and no FG. Attached are photos showing the progression of the abrasion that occurred on the designer’s initials for the DDO-002...Stage C, lower F abraded away, Stage D, F very faint to gone, and Stage E, initials abraded away. The last photo is the ADR-002 which is described in James Wiles book has having the F abraded away. I think this no F example for the ADR-002 can be found on several different dies...I have two. Larry Nienaber
The 1982 P no initials half dollar was a result of die abrasion. The initials WERE on the die when it was made. It is not a true die variety.
