posted on September 20, 2001 07:27:57 PM new
I have a lot of Kennedy half dollars which my father had saved when they first came out; not mint, probably, but near mint. And some $2 bills, ditto. I want to unload them and can't decide whether to place in auction near home or sell on ebay. Any idea what they're going for these days?
posted on September 20, 2001 07:47:37 PM new
Probably 50 cents for the Kennedy's and a couple of bucks for the bills...I'm no expert but that's my best guess...
posted on September 20, 2001 07:47:37 PM new
Depends on the date/condition.
Kennedys were first issued in 1964, and are 90% silver. If they are not uncirculated, they'd probably sell for about $1.50 each. From 1965 through 1970, they are 40% silver and would sell for about $0.60 each. From 1971 on, they are copper-nickel, and if worn at all, are worth face value.
$2 bills come in different types. Those with a green seal are Federal Reserve Notes- with a red seal, United States Notes. To find a value, one would need to know the series and serial number (and condition). The series is the date (sometimes, there's a letter below the date) at the lower right of the portrait. The serial number is the green/red letter-8 number-letter combination on the lower left and upper right of the portrait.
posted on September 20, 2001 08:19:27 PM new
I listed a 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar on eBay today, in the Auction For America thingee, with an opening bid of $9.99, which it has now.
I asked bidders to bid generously beyond what they ordinarily might.
posted on September 20, 2001 08:32:29 PM new
Coins is a tough row to hoe, if you aren't an enthusiast with a lot of knowledge. I stay away from coins and stamps - the numismatists and philatalists can have it.
posted on September 20, 2001 08:59:41 PM new
The only way those Kennedy half dollars will have much value beyond face is if they're pre-1970 (silver), in unopened bank rolls, or in extrememly flawless uncirculated condition. If you're asking this question, you can rule out the third category. If you have rolls of the pre-1970 halves, you might get as much as fifteen bucks per roll (20 coins per roll). Slightly more if they're unopened bank rolls. Surprisingly (to those who didn't already know), unopened bank rolls from the 1980s bring a significant premium. If you don't know the difference between an unopened bank roll, and any other type of roll, don't try selling your coins as unopened bank rolls, you'll get lamblasted.
If they don't fit either of those categories, just spend them. As for the two dollar bills, just spend them, nobody really would pay you more than two dollars for them, unless they're star notes.
[ edited by petertdavis on Sep 20, 2001 09:00 PM ]
posted on September 20, 2001 09:18:54 PM new
I have a 20.00 star bill, had no idea it was worth more than 20.00? Have had it for 25 years. so how much is it worth, it's 99% mint.
posted on September 20, 2001 11:03:27 PM new
FWIW: I've seen these "star" bills being offered at flea markets for 2-4X face value in mint condition, but never seen 'em actually sell at any price.
I was told these are substitute bills for when the printer has in some way screwed up the original. Hence the rarity.
posted on September 21, 2001 08:05:20 AM new
I know a bit about coins, but I'm no expert in currency. Have a look at ebay, star notes do sell, but have a look at how other people are doing it. If it looks good, then go ahead and list yours.
posted on September 21, 2001 08:18:49 AM newpetertdavis were the silver half dollars pre-1970 or pre-1964? I don't remember if half dollars issued between 1965-1970 had some silver content or not.
posted on September 21, 2001 09:28:57 AM new
1964 half dollars (and dimes and quarters) were 90% silver.
1965-1970 half dollars were 40% silver (dimes and quarters had no silver)
Silver is trading around $4.60 an ounce. To figure out what the coins are worth for the silver, weigh them in two lots, the 1964 (and before) in one pile, multiply the weight (in ounces) by .9, and then multiply by the current silver price, for 1965 to 1970, use .4 in place of the .9 and use the same procedure. The value generally comes out significantly higher than face value, but for small amounts sometimes is easier just to spend them.
For silver coins, look at the 90% silver and 40% silver bag prices (prices are for $1,000 face value bags).
$3,843.08 for a 90% silver bag = $1.92 per half dollar ($3,843.08 / 2,000 coins per bag). This is only an estimate, of course. You would not be able to walk in to a shop and sell your coins at this price, but this will at least get you in the ballpark as far as current value.
Bottom line, a $20 bill with a "Star" at the end is worth $20. There's nothing extraordinarly valuable about it, unless maybe it's got a special sequence of numbers that someone wants/collects.
posted on September 21, 2001 10:14:39 PM newPaper Money Collecting FAQ for rec.collecting.paper-money
Replacement notes are generally worth more than regular notes, especially in combination with an already rare note or low serial number. As always, condition is very important.
posted on September 22, 2001 08:10:08 AM new
Start of at face value in the category
Coins:Coins_US:Collections_Lots
It will then get to about $1 each or so assuming they have any silver content. If not you will get about a little over face. I would through everything you have in as one big lot and see where it goes. One auction I saw is dutch selling the halfs at $.99 with flat shipping rate. And so far six people are bidding. My coins mags don't even price Kennedys unless they are uncirculated (which means they are worth face) Then again any coin newer than 1965 is only worth face if it has ever circulated (with the exception of silver coins).
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