USD Half Dollars (Proof/Uncirculated)

[Yano]

Hey guys i'm in Australia and i've been having a hard time to get some more usd half dollars, espically since i'm not near by any magic stores no more. So i've resorted to ebay.

I was wondering is proof or uncirculated coins better to buy? Those seems to be the options i can find. I have no experience with buying coins like this. I know Proof coins are like early samples of a coin issue. And uncirculated coins are just like coins never handled/used for tender. But i'm not sure do proof coins fit average coin shell (e.g. Tango, Johnson) since proof coins are early samples.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Kennedy-Ha...92?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item1e616ee22c
http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-KENNEDY-PR...05?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item1e6168b049

 

[JButterfield]

It's my understanding that proof coins are still made using the same dies, so the size should be the same as circulating coins. Kennedy halves aren't that heavily circulated, so the difference between uncirculated/proof coins and circulated might not be so great. Odds are that these will be dropped a few times, so I wouldn't pay a premium for a coin in a condition important to collectors.

There is a tolerance to circulating coins. I have a Schoolcraft half dollar shell, and a Kueppers peace dollar shell, and there are certain coins that won't fit, or will bind in them. The majority are fine, but the odd coin isn't happy in them.

 

[UncleMings]

Hey guys i'm in Australia and i've been having a hard time to get some more usd half dollars, espically since i'm not near by any magic stores no more. So i've resorted to ebay.

I was wondering is proof or uncirculated coins better to buy? Those seems to be the options i can find. I have no experience with buying coins like this. I know Proof coins are like early samples of a coin issue. And uncirculated coins are just like coins never handled/used for tender. But i'm not sure do proof coins fit average coin shell (e.g. Tango, Johnson) since proof coins are early samples.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Kennedy-Ha...92?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item1e616ee22c
http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-KENNEDY-PR...05?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item1e6168b049

Im not a coin magician but a coin collector. Proofs are simply a grade (condition) of a coin not early samples of coins. Proofs are specially polished and treated die that is stuck twice at a much more force than regular coins resulting in a mirror back round, a frosted image and super sharpe image. They are marketed to collectors for their sharp quality and looks.

The dimensions of a type coin always remains the same no matter if the coin is proof, clad, cameo, matte, BU, F, Vf etc. They are all just grades of coins and does not reflect their Dimensions.

 

[ElliottTerral]

If you are looking to buy coins on ebay, go with some older coins: Barber and Walking Liberty Halves. You want circulated and worn coins, so that they talk and whisper less in your hand than coins in better condition. You also don't want to have to pay too much for your coins. I have seen plenty of each of these coins go for about $8-$15, so I would suggest getting some of those. Also, the older, silver coins add style and class to your performance.

 

[Yano]

Thanks for the help, i think i know what to get now.