Authenticating 40% Silver Kennedys & War Nickels: Spotting Fakes in a Hot Silver Market

With Counterfeits Flooding the Market, These Diagnostic Points Could Save Your Collection

As silver prices climb, coins once dismissed as “junky” silver—like 40% Kennedy halves (1965-1970) and 35% silver war nickels (1942-1945)—are attracting new attention… and sophisticated fakes. While these underdogs have historically traded near melt value, today’s market makes them prime targets for counterfeiters. As a collector who’s handled hundreds of these coins, let me share the forensic secrets that’ll protect your investments and help you spot hidden numismatic value.

History’s Underdogs: Why These Coins Deserve Your Attention

These coins tell stories of American ingenuity—wartime nickel conservation in WWII and the 1960s silver squeeze. Forum legend @Vetter put it bluntly: “We used to turn up our noses at these.” But oh, how times change! With war nickels surpassing $4 each and Kennedy halves commanding real melt value, their collectibility has skyrocketed. As @Cougar1978 wisely observed, raw coins often get discounted by dealers—creating perfect conditions for fakes to enter the market.

“All slabbed coins were raw at some point. The true eye appeal of these ‘ugly ducklings’ is wildly underestimated.” – Veteran Collector

The Collector’s Scale: Your Precision Weapon

Kennedy Half Dollars (40% Silver: 1965-1970)

• True Weight: 11.50 grams (±0.10g tolerance)
• Fake Alert: 11.34 grams (exact weight of post-1971 clad coins)

War Nickels (35% Silver: 1942-1945)

• True Weight: 5.00 grams (±0.05g tolerance)
• Copycat Trap: Modern nickels share this weight—making magnetism your key test

Invest in a jeweler’s scale (0.01g resolution!). Counterfeiters often nail the look but stumble on the science.

The Magnet Test: Become a Silver Whisperer

Kennedy 40% Halves

• Must be non-magnetic – any attraction means trouble
• Watch for: False luster on plated steel cores

War Nickels

• Slight magnetism is normal (thank that 9% manganese!)
• Red Flags: Strong pull (steel core) or no pull (modern alloy)

Pro Tip: Suspend your neodymium magnet on thread. Authentic war nickels will flirt with it—not leap into its arms.

Die Diagnostics: Where Hidden Treasures Lie

Kennedy Half Dollar Gems

• 1964-D Accented Hair Proof: Hunt for those dramatic hairlines below “WE TRUST”
• 1967 SMS: Only 1.8 million minted with stunning satin strike
• 1970-D Key Date: Under 3 million made—check for original mint luster

War Nickel Wonders

• Oversized Mint Marks: Those bold “P,” “D,” or “S” above Monticello
• 1943/2-P Overdate: The ghostly “2” beneath the 3 (a $400+ prize)
• 1945-P DDR: Doubled Dies that give “MONTICELLO” extra character

As one sharp-eyed collector warned: “Common dates in mint condition still get no love”—making them perfect bait for counterfeiters peddling “rare varieties.”

Fake Spotting 101: Know Your Enemy

Plated Impostors

• Weight perfect but magnetism wrong
• Under 10x magnification: Surfaces bubble like bad champagne

Altered Dates/Mintmarks

• 1970-D fakes carved from 1971-D coins
• Oblique light reveals tool marks in fields

Cast Fakes

• Porous surfaces that lack genuine silver strike
• Specific gravity test exposes them (true 40% Kennedys: SG 9.53)

Advanced Authentication: Beyond the Loupe

1. Specific Gravity Tests:
   • Kennedy 40% Silver: 9.53 g/cm³
   • War Nickel: 8.97 g/cm³
2. XRF Analysis: The gold standard for metal composition
3. Die Study Comparisons: Match to PCGS reference images
4. Microscopic Scrutiny: Exposes even skilled toolwork

Conclusion: The New Frontier in Silver Collecting

As these once-humble coins gain respect, their collectibility brings both opportunity and peril. While forums buzz about whether 40% Kennedys and war nickels will shed their “junk silver” label, counterfeiters are already exploiting the hype. Master these diagnostics—weight tolerances, magnetic responses, and die markers—and you’ll confidently navigate this exciting market.

Remember @Cougar1978’s wisdom: “That BU roll might hold a sleeper worth slabbing.” With authentication skills, you could uncover hidden numismatic value where others see only bulk silver. As the market evolves, these coins may finally earn their due—but only if collectors like us can separate the genuine treasures from the clever fakes.

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