OK experts,

You are right, the Liberty half is a beauty - and readily available for not too much $$$, but....

If I buy a current made shell (Johnson/Lassin) will it fit properly over a coin that is 50+ years old?

I'm not too finicky, but would you advise to buy a newly made set of halves w/shell for a better fit?

Regards

When you get a shell, you should also get the matching coins to go with it. There can be a slight variance in coin sizes, and you want everything to fit just right.

If you buy from Todd and he has stock, he will match the coins for you.

I'm not an expert yet, but I'm trying.

They fit very well as they are made from the same time period and quality. I have all of my coins done in 1940's walking liberty halves. I got all of mine from the magic warehouse site Johnson Real Silver. p.s. if you are going to get a shell I went ahead and got hopping halves. it comes with other very usable gaffs.

Ted, I bought a roll of 1942 half dollars in 79. Connie Hayden was willing to make a few shellw for me in 79. And the shells were wonderful. I still have one. If the new guys have learned from the old guard, the shells will be just fine.

The Walking Liberty half I use is from Johnson and fit perfectly over my "aftermarket" halves. I've used these (shell & halves) a few hundred times have never been burned. Because of the property of silver, this coin somehow doesn't even "talk" when being compared against a regular clad half (naturally most of this is accomplished by long long hours of practice that handling coins should come naturally).