From Disappointment to Discovery: My Kennedy Half Dollar Bag Hunt

I recently dove into a mint sewn bag of 2023 Kennedy half dollars, buzzing with excitement to uncover hidden errors and rare finds. As a collector, I always relish the thrill of the hunt, but this experience taught me valuable lessons about patience, identification, and the unpredictable nature of coin hunting.

The Initial Letdown

Right off the bat, I spotted a coin with a striking die crack running from the ‘E’ in ‘LIBERTY’ straight to the rim. My heart raced—I thought I’d hit the jackpot and would find a whole series of progressive die cracks in the bag. But after meticulously examining all 200 coins, that was the only one. Talk about a bummer! I also came across another oddity: a damaged coin where it looked like a piece of metal had peeled off and gotten struck into the surface between the ‘T’ and ‘Y’ of ‘LIBERTY’. While better than my usual zero-error streak from past bags, it felt like a letdown at first.

Uncovering Mint Errors

That damaged coin turned out to be a gem in disguise. After some research and reflection, I identified it as a rim burr—a genuine mint error where excess metal from the planchet gets pressed into the coin during striking. It’s not common, and finding one in a modern bag like this is a cool score. Rim burrs add character and can be fascinating for error collectors, especially on Kennedy halves. Here’s what makes them special:

• They’re caused by flaws in the blank planchet before striking, making them true mint errors.
• Visually, they appear as raised, irregular metal blobs near the rim, often mistaken for damage but holding numismatic value.
• In my case, it was nestled between letters, which is a prime spot for collectors to examine closely.

Overall, bagging two errors—the die crack and the rim burr—was a win, shifting my perspective from disappointment to delight.

To Slab or Not to Slab?

Now, the big question: Should I get this rim burr slabbed by a grading service? Based on my experience and the realities of the market, here’s my practical advice:

• For common errors like this on modern coins, slabbing costs (around $30-$50 plus shipping) often outweigh the potential value increase. Rim burrs on Kennedy halves aren’t ultra-rare, so you might not recoup the expense.
• Focus on key factors: If the error is dramatic and well-defined, like mine, it could be worth it for personal satisfaction or if you suspect it might grade high. Otherwise, keep it raw for your collection.
• Always weigh the cost against Greysheet prices—for instance, higher-grade coins (MS-64 and up) command premiums, but errors add unique appeal without always boosting resale value.

In this case, I’m leaning toward enjoying it unslabbed, saving my budget for rarer finds.

Lessons Learned and Collecting Insights

This hunt reinforced some core truths in numismatics. First, mint bags are hit-or-miss—expect averages of one error per few hundred coins, so celebrate small wins. Second, always double-check ‘damaged’ coins; what seems like a flaw could be a mint error worth documenting. Third, grading matters: As one collector noted, low-quality rolls (like those with mostly MS-63 grades) explain why higher grades fetch premium prices. Finally, the joy is in the process—even with disappointments, sifting through coins is pure fun and a great way to learn. So next time you crack open a bag, stay curious, and who knows? You might turn a ‘what a disappointment’ into a discovery story of your own.