Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

While prospecting through rolls today I came across a VERY shiny fifty cent piece (1983). It looks to be one of those "gem quality" coins offered at ridiculous prices through the coin houses, but of course it is circulated, with very fine scratches and fingerprints. This isn't the odd part. The coin might be tarnished. I say "might", because on the obverse side the color is slightly golden (it's even more faintly so on the "face" side). The edge is distinctly golden, but not yellowish. It's almost bronze-like. It doesnt appear to be a clad coin, as viewed from the edge.

The strangest part is that it has two additional dates stamped into it, to the side and at neck level: 1960 on the left, and 1980 on the right. It was obviously done after minting, not as part of the coinmaking process.

Anyone ever heard of this?

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

I got a couple of them at an estate auction a few years ago. Don't know who produced them but was told they are a novelty....worth maybe a couple of bucks to someone who (for God knows what reason) might want 'em.

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

Interesting - can you post a photo?

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

I could but don't know how. I can get a picture on a floppy but beyond that don't have a clue about what needs to be done.

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

Here is a photo of one I found. It looks like a plated kennedy half with stamped dates of 1960 on the left and 1980 on the right.

65GT350

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

It's like the two I have. After the auction where I picked up mine, somebody suggested that they were probably made and given away as commeratives for something.

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

Goldminer / Unclad,

Are you both on the west coast?

65GT350

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

The two I have I picked up several years ago in central NC about 35 miles SW of Winston-Salem. They are stamped 1960 and 1985....not 1980.
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Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

P.S.................
The mint dates on the two I have are 1971 and 1980.

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

The word "novelty" makes me wonder, could they be fake coins? especially with the wear mentioned, it seems like it is wearing faster then a normal coin? just a question.

Katie

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

testing testing testing:rolleyes:

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

The ones I have are not fakes....they're clad Kennedy halves on which somebody has stamped the two additional dates. The two non-mint date numbers are quite a bit smaller then the mint date and not very attractive. You have to look very close to tell what the two dates are.

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

65GT350,

That picture you posted is what it looks like, and yes, I'm a resident in the PRK. Are these a West Coast phenomenon?

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

Saw bunches of them when I was in the biz.......they were stamped outside the mint with 1960-1980 or whatever, and packaged as "Presidential Kennedy commemorative coinage", he was elected 1960.

Many were gold plated, bottom line is they are S W I L L..............

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

Swill or not, can I get more than fifty cents for one? :wink:

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

I don't think so, goldminer got his from North Carolina. I also have seen them with the date 1960 - 1985. It is probably a good conversation starter with the tellers at the bank. I use an impaired proof to start talking about coins.

65GT350

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

Old thread, but I just got one of these in a roll and it also gold plated.

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

They were gimmicks produced by after-market mints....

"1976 is one of the most common dates for Kennedy Halves. And since somebody gold-plated it (not done at the mint), this has turned it into a novelty item with no collector value. The gold content of the plating is negligable. At best it will have a novelty item value of a couple dollars."

I've seen numerous versions, some stamped 1960-1985 were to commemorate the 25th year anniversary of the Kennedy half dollar and his Presidency

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

Mine is a 77. Not sure it has any extra value since it has now been circulated and even a bit of the plating has rubbed off.

Re: Odd Kennedy half-dollar
 

have 1 also guess it 's worth 50 cents .not much more. looks like a fake if you ask me.to shiney.but who would counterfit half dollar? i will save as a novelty.silver is better looking.imho