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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/orange colored JFK half dollar

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Expert: - 5/12/2010


Question
I own a 1973 JFK 50 cent piece that is orange colored (light copper) on both sides.  It has a D mint stamp.  I acquired it about 30 years ago and it has always looked this strange color.  You can see the silver sheen underneath the copper color.  What does this mean?

Answer
David,

It's tough to tell without seeing the coin, but I have to guess that the coin got exposed to some chemical that either left an orange coating on the coin or caused the surface of the coin to change color.

Being such a common date coin, I don't think it has much collector value.

Dan

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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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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