Expert: Cameron Kiefer - 6/24/2006

Question
I was trying to find some info and seem to be an expert.

i just found a 1983 half dollar with no copper red color on the edges.  It is very shiny and at first i thought it might be a silver proof that excaped someones collection.  but it has a d mint mark.  It does have a lot of very fine serface scratches like someone used an abrasive polish, but the coin s detail is still there and it doesn't look worn at all.
do you have any idea that caused this?

Answer
Hi James,

If it is not a circulated proof then it must be silver plated which accounts for the silver looking rim.  The only other possibilities is just an impure mixture of copper leaving the rim more silver looking.  This is a coin that would need to be authenticated by a grading service (PCGS, ICG, or NGC)

Cameron Kiefer