Kennedy 1964 half dollars are the last 90% silver coins minted by the Federal Reserve for regular circulation. When you have find a half dollar, make sure its date matches the symbol minted during that period. For example, a Kennedy half dollar with a date before 1965 is a potential counterfeit, but only the most rare dates are actually counterfeited. [2] X Research source
Remember that some metals (like aluminum or titanium) can look like silver. When in doubt, bring your coin to a dealer who can determine its authenticity.
Avoid performing this test outdoors. The ice test will be most accurate in a room temperature area.
Be careful to only do this test if you are certain that the coin you are dropping isn’t a rare date/mint mark combination. The ring test is likely to make a dent on the coin if it falls from a high place, and even seemingly minor damage can severely hurt a rare coin’s value.
Banks that specialize in merchant business will often sell coin rolls to non-account holders. Smaller banks may be more reluctant.
Ask the bank tellers to give you the rolls that appear to have been sitting there the longest or are at the bottom of their stacks. You’ll be more likely to find older coins.
Don’t search all the rolls at once. Take breaks in-between rolls to avoid carelessly missing a silver half dollar. Store unwrapped coins in a specific place so you can return them to the bank later. Losing track of coins can add up over time, and you do not want to make coin collecting an overly-expensive hobby.
Ask friends who work in retail to put aside half dollars for you. You can come into their store and trade your paper money for their half dollars, which you can then inspect.
If you want to get up early on the weekends, check garage and estate sales. Someone nearby may be selling their personal coin collections. Yard sales aren’t a guaranteed place to find silver coins, but you never know.
Find a dealer who is an Authorized Purchaser working with the U. S. Mint. This guarantees that your coin dealer is professional and safe. Most Authorized Purchasers have been in the business for over five years and have a strong client base.
Heavily-trafficked areas are best for finding coins. While you can metal detect in the countryside or forests, you are unlikely to find what you’re looking for. For older coins, visit old areas. A building constructed in the last ten years might not have older coins, but a building fifty or more years old might have vintage coins. [8] X Research source
