I bought a 1980 proof set and the kennedy half has a very slight gold tint to it. Since I don't collect kennedy's, or proof sets for that matter, I was just wondering if this is normal or not. The color is very slight, there is a definite difference between it and the rest of the silver-colored clad coins. Thanks.
I had a 68 quarter do that. I'm not sure if it was from the holder I had it in or not though. Is yours in the original holder? Mine wasn't.
Very, very normal for the early 80's Kennedy proofs to turn a slight golden tint. One speculation was the material used to holder the coins in the lens, as the quality of the actual proof coins diminished in the 80's, so did the packaging. HAPPY COLLECTING
That's extremely normal for proofs from the 70's and 80's to take a gold tone to them. I have a complete set of Kennedy proofs from 1964 and 1968-1989. All of the 70's and 80s halves are toning in a gold tint.
I figured it was a common thing. Wonder why the other coins haven't taken on this tone? Anyone have any idea?
In this case, size matters. The planchets for the half dollars take longer to anneal to soften the metal for striking, then the rinsing and cleaning prior to upsetting the edges vs the enormous pounds per square inch to imprint the striking dies has an overall influence on the appearance of the coin. That and the San Fransisco Mint's quality went right into the proverbial toilet during this time frame and now it shows not only in the quality but in the significant variations in toning.
