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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1971 d kennedy half dollar

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Expert: Dan Moore - 9/29/2009


Question
What can you tell me about a 1971 d kennedy half dollar with heads on bth sides. It does not seem to be a trick coin. you can clearly see the copper on the edge from wear. It also has  what looks like an R in the middle of his neck. I recieved this in my change.
thank you
justin

Answer
Justin,

It definitely is a magician's coin.  The seam would not be on the outside edge, but rather just on the inside of the raised rim on one side of the coin or the other -- you may need a magnifier to see it.  Also, if you drop the coin on a hard surface and compare the "thud" it makes with the "ring" from another Kennedy half, you can tell it is an altered coin.

Check out this article :

http://www.pcgs.com/articles/article_view.chtml?artid=799


The "R" on the neck is a monogram for Gilroy Roberts, the coin's designer.

Magician coins like this are worth a couple dollars.

I hope this helps,

Dan

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Dan Moore

Expertise

My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

Organizations I belong to :
American Numismatic Association Member #187770
Michigan State Numismatic Society Member #8255
Florida United Numismatics Member #19710
Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
WINS Member #14
CoinMasters Member #1814

Frequently Asked Questions :
I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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