1980 D Kennedy Half Dollar weighs 10.08 grams?

[CoinsAndCoffee]

Hi CoinHELPU Community, I found a 1980 D Kennedy half dollar in a bank roll that weighs 10.08 g. I noticed the coin was significantly lighter even though it didn’t have any major visible damage I weighed the coin multiple times read tearing the scale to be sure that the weight was accurate.

Does anyone know more information about what this is? I read that Kennedy half dollars can be struck on a Susan B Anthony planchet however this coin is too heavy and it appears to be a full coin with the reeds on the edges fully intact.

[Westin]

The chart we share around says 10.89 is the low end for normal tolerance. So it's noticeably below average weight. I don't know if it's enough to constitute a "thin planchet" designation. You can check sold auctions for "Kennedy thin planchet" and see if any are labeled as such with a weight the same as, or greater than yours. Then see what they sold for in what grade.

[Earle42]

Welcome to the forum. We are glad you are here
The bit of info I can offer besides this just being light is that it is not an accidental half made on quarter stock as shown b/c those are even lighter.

Also including the tolerances chart:

[Daniel]

Not off by that much, it has to be lighter than that to have any premium.

[CoinsAndCoffee]

Thank you Westin, Earle42, and Daniel for the information it was very helpful researching what this was.

I found it it was a magic coin Daniel from your video!

I opened it using a jar:

[Earle42]

That is the inexpensive way. A magician used what is known as a "bang ring."

[Westin]

That's funny, I was gonna ask if it sounded hollow but 10.09 sounded too heavy for a smugglers/magicians coin.... THERE WAS ANOTHER COIN INSIDE! That explains it. Cool find!

[Earle42]

Not inside. And these give a thud when dropped on a table.

The REV of the Kennedy will have a Mexican Peso (thinned), or an English Penny, soldered to its inside.

The trick is very effective. You show the peso and the half dollar (shell of the OBV of the half) positioned like two coins in your hand. Stack the half on top of the peso. You ask someone to hold out their hand, pick up the "two" coins and, while pressing them together, put them into the other persons hand and tell them to immediately close their fist.

You then ask then something like to tell you the date on the Peso. When they open their hand only the half dollar is there. This is not the "Scotch and Soda" trick per se, but the response is really funny. Since they can touch the coin, inspect it etc., the effect is very good.

[Westin]

Not inside. And these give a thud when dropped on a table.

The REV of the Kennedy will have a Mexican Peso (thinned), or an English Penny, soldered to its inside.

The trick is very effective. You show the peso and the half dollar (shell of the OBV of the half) positioned like two coins in your hand. Stack the half on top of the peso. You ask someone to hold out their hand, pick up the "two" coins and, while pressing them together, put them into the other persons hand and tell them to immediately close their fist.

You then ask then something like to tell you the date on the Peso. When they open their hand only the half dollar is there. This is not the "Scotch and Soda" trick per se, but the response is really funny. Since they can touch the coin, inspect it etc., the effect is very good.

Oh I see. Not a smugglers coin at all. For magician's purposes only. I'm not getting any opium past Chinese port authorities with this one.