Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 9/30/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi..I have a 1972 hollow {two pieces} Kennedy half dollar.It fits neatly together and when opened the remnants of a Mexican? coin are revealed on one inner half. Its looks period to me. Could you tell its history,rarity ,and relative value if any ? thanks..RP

ANSWER: Hello, Rob, I've never heard of this before, but it sounds put together (someone took two Kennedy halves and put them together (that is fairly common as a magician coin), and some other coin was inside.  I suspect this is a unique novelty piece, worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it (but I can't imagine much), Jim Lawniczak

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QUESTION: Hi..thanks for your response..its definitely not a novelty or magicians coin..I thought it could be a spy coin as the CIA has admitted using them back in the day and released a picture on the web of a reproduction Eisenhower dollar..Have you heard of these spy coins ?  the handiwork is first rate creating a chamber inside to conceal something  There is a 20 centavos copper  coin .1969.inserted into the tales side to give it rigidity I suspect. The heads side also has a plain copper piece inserted into it...Thanks RP

Answer
Sorry, Rob, I have not heard of these "spy" coin holders, though it would certainly be possible.  Anything at all common sells on eBay (www.ebay.com) these days, so try going there and doing searches (two piece coin; two piece half dollar; hollowed out coin -- and anything else you can think of).  If it's common, it's for sale there.  I'd try similar searches at www.google.com too, Jim