Very new to this and have been searching my coins I get through change, and even started picking up rolls of cents, halves, and nickels at the bank and the convenience store when they have them. I found a 1998 Wide A M cent last night. The wife thought I was crazy, when I said hey look at this. Not worth much of a premium, but it was cool to find. On a side note, the wife picked me up a roll of halves at the bank today. (1) 1964 Kennedy. So a little silver there. The wife looked through them for me since I am at work. She said there were (2) bicentennials. I don't know if they made those in 40% or anything (maybe S mintmarks??), but I'll be sure to look when I get home. I'll have to wait until I get home from work to check the rest of them. I think I'm hooked!
The silver 90% ended with 1964 except for some of the silver issue sets. The 40% Silver halves ran from 1965-1970. But if you question a coin as to whether it is silver or not, here is a test that will only cost you 1/2 of a tissue. Pull a facial tissue (two layer) or Toilet paper so that it is one layer thick. Cover a known Silver coin and one you question next to each other and cover the coin with the single layer of paper and see what you see. If the one coin is silver it will appear white colored under the tissue. If they both are white, then both are silver, but if one appears gray , then its not. See if this helps?
If I find something that I don't have..................................... I make one for educational purposes.
Lost Dutchman: On one post someone asked a question and I used over 100 images to show what to look for. http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45548
Sound method I usually use the sound method. Silver just has that "ping" to it. Most of the time though, I can just look at it and tell. But this is very helpful for beginners:kewl:
