Question for my betters regarding recent half dollar coins. (Notwithstanding the other Kennedy thread going on, I figured this question was different enough from the topic to warrant a new thread.) I know all about pre-1971 coins and all. My question has to do with those since than. I got me a box from the bank of halves. Maybe get lucky on some silver. Not my first time doing it. As I'm going through it, I'm noticing a percentage of recent halves, like from 2000 on. They look very nice, as compared to the old junkies that make up the vast majority (99%) of the coins in the box. So, I looked it up, and discovered a dramatic drop-off in production numbers in the Kennedy halves. Almost to the point where the same number of proofs were made as regular strikes. So what's worth keeping? Is there any kind of demand for these recent halves, caused by the decreased production? What about the proofs (I think those are all mint marked 's')? I usually just cherry pick the silver, then spend as many of the coins as possible. (I figure that alot will be kept by the cashiers, and taken home. Thus taken out of circulation. Thus, my next box will have silver!) Any thoughts?
Well, that's part of what I'm asking. Which are the collector issues? Or is everything after 2001 a collector issue due to the lower production numbers? Is there a market for them in great albeit circulated condition?
I would keep any Proof coins, clad or silver and the Satin finish BUs. Of course any coin that was virtually unmarked that you think might grade in the upper 60's. Other than that I know you'll be hunting for silver. Bruce
i like the proof kennedy half dollar. i got many through acquiring the clad proof set, silver proof set and the mint unc set.
Went through my first box of halves today. No silver Here's what i did get: 73-s (4) 76-s 77-s (3) 78-s 79-s 80-s 82-s 84-s 87-s 92-s 93-s 01-s 04-s 05-s 06-s 07-s About 140 from 2001- (both p & d) Also, 2 gold plated (I think) 76 a painted-in face on a 96 and an 86 Statue of Liberty (I read some people calling it a silver, but I don't think it is) Unfortunately, as mentioned above, no silver, and I'm thinking to myself, now what the heck do I do with them all? I was really only in it for the silver, and am trying not to get bogged down with hundreds of $$ in halves (even if they are proofs.) These are all finds from circulation, and I'm clueless as far as grading is concerned. good grief! Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?
The Red Book says that the following dates were not issued for circulation: 2001-P, 2002-P & D, 2003-P & D, 2004-P & D, 2006-P & D, and 2007 P & D. My Red Book is out of date, so I can't say for the 2008. To my knowledge, none were issued for circulation this year. I would be very surprised if I'm wrong. Halves don't really circulate as it is, to mint some for circulation in this economy seems like a rather dumb idea. I personally only keep the 2006 P & D's, the P's have a mintage of 2,400,000, and the D's 2,000,000. I can't really tell you if there is currently a market for circulated coins, as I've never tried to sell them. But I can say I have never seen a dealer offering them in grades below MS-60. Which leads me to believe there is very little, or no market for circulated coins. Why should there be? There are more than enough to go around in uncirculated condition. That said, I would keep an eye on the '06-D. I think it may become what the 1950-D is to the Jefferson nickel series. In all grades.
like the 50-D nickel? I guess the only difference is that people actually use nickels on a daily basis. So I'm starting to think that the 2001- p&d's aren't really commanding any premiums. I don't think I'll be hanging on to them for 50 years waiting for that to happen. So shifting gears slightly, what about the proofs? The plated? and the Statue of Liberty?
Just curious........ if hardly anyone uses halves in circulation, why are they still striking them? They didn't take advantage of them as possible commemoratives. I suppose they make money from them, both from collectors and seignorage.
Yup, me too. Only collect mint unc. and proofs. Haven't seen silver in change for 20 years. Not saying it can't be found. Just not worth the effort.:rolling:
