Expert: PAPAJACK - 7/25/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have a Kennedy half dollar that has the reverse image (eagle) on both sides.  Both sides are the same (not mirror images) except that one side has a D mint mark below the talons next to the olive branch stem. Could you tell me if this is very unusual (I've never seen one). Also does this have any value and if so how much, or is it just odd.  Also there is no date as the side with the date is not there.  Please excuse my ignorance about coins as I have no experience with these things.  Thank you so much for considering my question

ANSWER: Hello Jim,          

These are not real and it is not an error coin. I have experience with them and have seen them in Quarters, Half Dollars and Nickels.
These two headed, or Two Tailed coins are Trick coins, sometimes called Magicians Coins.

Without exception all the ones I have come across are machined out on one side carefully keeping the reeded edge intact, while another coin is thinned and slightly reduced in diameter to remove the reeded edge. The smaller and thinner half is then placed in the hollowed out half coin.

Look with a good magnifier and light source, where the lower field on one side of the coin, meets up to the reeded edge. They can be force fit or glued together. Another check is weight; an actual Half Dollar blank weighs 11.34 grams.

I have also heard of them being sawed in half and glued together, but the sawed ones are easier to detect.

They may sell for $2 to $5 dollars in a shop since it is 40% silver. Again they are not rare, and are not in demand by coin collectors.

Please remember to rate this answer at the bottom of this page. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have coins from my late uncle that are rolled and say on the wrapper that they are uncirculated half dollars (hand written). On looking in one end of the roll these look to have some tarnish and I wonder if I should open them or just try to sell them as they are.  I don't think they are rare or anything like that but I guess they could be worth a little more than face value.  Could you advise me.  Thank you so much.

Answer
Hello again Jim,          

Depending on the date they are worth more than face value.
The 1964 Half Dollar is 90% silver making it worth at least $4 each coin.
The Half Dollars from 1965 to 1970 are only 40% silver Making them at least $2 each.
Half dollars made after 1970 are Copper core and Nickel clad as all circulating silver colored modern US coins.

As for opening them or not unless you are sure they are all the same in the sealed roll you should take a look. You would not want to lose money if you have a valuable coin in there and you would not want the person you sell them to finding something other than what they thought they were paying for.

If you let me know the date and mint mark I could be more help.

Write me again with the date and mint mark. Philadelphia coins were not always marked but Denver has a D and San Francisco uses an S at the bottom of the neck on the heads side of the coin.

Please remember to rate this answer at the bottom of this page. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack