| How to Find Silver Half Dollars Posted: 23 Sep 2017 05:00 PM PDT Depending on when the coins were minted, silver half dollars can be a valuable investment. If you're a coin collector interested in finding the right half dollars, you may not know where to look and what coins are valuable. You can find silver half dollars at your local bank, in antique shops or flea markets, or via professional coin dealers. Recognizing the markers of silver half dollars and where you're likely to find them will help you find more rare coins when expanding your collection. EditSpotting Authentic Silver Half Dollars - Look for half dollars minted during 1969 or earlier. Prior to 1965, half dollars contained 90% silver. In 1965, the U.S. Mint removed silver from all dimes and quarters. They also reduced the silver content in half dollars from 90% to 40%, which is the silver content for all half dollars minted for general circulation in the years 1965-1970. Most coins minted after 1970 are not made of silver but are most likely nickel-clad half dollars.[1]
- Kennedy 1964 half dollars are the last 90% silver coins minted by the Federal Reserve for regular circulation.
- When you have find a half dollar, make sure its date matches the symbol minted during that period. For example, a Kennedy half dollar with a date before 1965 is a potential counterfeit, but only the most rare dates are actually counterfeited.[2]
- Use a magnet. Silver exhibits weak magnetic effects. If your coins stick to a magnet, they are most likely not silver.[3] Your half dollar is more likely nickel-clad if it's strongly magnetic.
- Remember that some metals (like aluminum or titanium) can look like silver. When in doubt, bring your coin to a dealer who can determine its authenticity.
- Try the ice test. Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any common metal or alloy. If you place a piece of ice directly on the silver and it melts immediately (as if it has been placed on a hot object), your coin is most likely silver.[4]
- Avoid performing this test outdoors. The ice test will be most accurate in a room temperature area.
- Do the ring test. Flick your coin in the air and listen to the sound it makes as it hits the ground. Authentic silver will make a high-pitched ringing sound, like a bell. If it does not make this sound, the coin is likely a counterfeit.[5]
- Check for damage on the coin. If the area is marred or looks like it's been tampered with, a counterfeiter may have altered the date or mint mark. Don't trust a coin with lots of strange markings or scratches, especially if they're around the mint mark or date. You may be dealing with a counterfeit coin.
EditBuying Coin Rolls - Choose a large corporate bank. To find silver half dollars, you'll want to find a bank with circulated coins rather than freshly-minted coins. The best banks for circulated half-dollars are big-name banks with businessmen patrons. Corporate banks deal with large amounts of circulated coins and will have more on hand.
- Banks that specialize in merchant business will often sell coin rolls to non-account holders. Smaller banks may be more reluctant.
- Avoid rolls with coins returned in bulk. If your bank says that one person returned a large sum of half-dollars, they have probably been searched. Ask for rolls that have come from a variety of sources. These are more likely to have older coins.
- Look for banks that have hand-rolled half dollars as opposed to machine-rolled coins. The latter are usually from the Federal Reserve and were recently minted. New half dollar coins are useless to you, as any half dollar minted after 1970 will not have silver. Ask your bank teller if these coins were newly-minted before you exchange cash for them.
- Trade in cash for coin rolls at the bank. After you've contacted local banks, visit them and trade your money for half dollar rolls. If this is not your personal bank, bring paper cash to trade for the coin rolls. Keep track of the rolls so you can trade them back in after you've searched them.
- Ask the bank tellers to give you the rolls that appear to have been sitting there the longest or are at the bottom of their stacks. You'll be more likely to find older coins.
- Search your rolls for rare half dollars. Remember key markers of a rare half dollar to find coins minted when the Federal Reserve used silver. Take care to search all your coins carefully and thoroughly. If you're unable to focus, consider searching the rolls at another time.
- Don't search all the rolls at once. Take breaks in-between rolls to avoid carelessly missing a silver half dollar.
- Store unwrapped coins in a specific place so you can return them to the bank later. Losing track of coins can add up over time, and you do not want to make coin collecting an overly-expensive hobby.
- Develop a good relationship with local bank tellers. Frequent the same banks when trading your money for coin rolls. Over time, get to know the tellers and let them know what half dollars you're searching for. Ask them if they'll contact you when new half dollar rolls arrive.
EditSearching for Circulated Coins - Check local stores. Antique stores are an excellent place to find vintage silver coins. Ask your local shop owners if they collect or sell "junk silver," the antique term for old coins in good condition.[6] If so, inspect their coin collection for silver half dollars. Thrift shops may also carry vintage coins, depending on their policies.
- Ask friends who work in retail to put aside half dollars for you. You can come into their store and trade your paper money for their half dollars, which you can then inspect.
- Visit flea markets. Search in your local classifieds for flea market listings. When you arrive, move from booth to booth and look for vendors selling coins. If you find a silver half dollar, ask your vendor questions about where they obtained it and whether they have a certificate of authenticity for the coin.[7]
- If you want to get up early on the weekends, check garage and estate sales. Someone nearby may be selling their personal coin collections. Yard sales aren't a guaranteed place to find silver coins, but you never know.
- Purchase half dollars from coin dealers. Look for reputable coin dealers in your area and ask if they have silver half dollars for sale. Dealers often work with a variety of coins, and you're likely to find at least one who sells half dollars.
- Find a dealer who is an Authorized Purchaser working with the U.S. Mint. This guarantees that your coin dealer is professional and safe. Most Authorized Purchasers have been in the business for over five years and have a strong client base. [8]
- Use a metal detector. Buy or build a metal detector and go searching in local areas. The best spots to look for coins are urban areas, like beaches, ski resorts, or campsites.[9] Metal detecting will help you find a variety of old coins: you never know whether you'll get lucky and find a silver half dollar.
- Heavily-trafficked areas are best for finding coins. While you can metal detect in the countryside or forests, you are unlikely to find what you're looking for.
- For older coins, visit old areas. A building constructed in the last ten years might not have older coins, but a building fifty or more years old might have vintage coins.[10]
- Look into smaller towns as opposed to major metropolitan areas. Smaller cities are less likely to have been picked over by coin collectors.
- Ask older friends or relatives for help. Many people have a coin jar where they store loose change. Let them know that you are looking for rare half dollars and promise to split profits with them if they let you inspect their coins.
- In some areas, metal detecting is illegal. Check your city laws before detecting in urban areas.
- Take care when obtaining large quantities of rolls of half-dollars that the rolls are not short. It is not unheard of to be short a half-dollar per roll. If you're buying multiple rolls, your loss can add up over time.
- Be mindful of your safety and security if you are carrying large amounts of cash or coins. Consider investing in a safe to deter theft.
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| How to Register an Official WeChat Account Posted: 23 Sep 2017 09:00 AM PDT This wikiHow teaches you how to create and register a WeChat official account for your business, using an internet browser. Edit10 Second Summary 1. Open WeChat's Official Account Registration page in a browser.
2. Fill out Basic Info with an email and password.
3. Click Next.
4. Fill out Registration Info with your company information.
5. Click Next.
6. Fill out Account Info with a display name and a profile intro.
7. Enter the verification code.
8. Click Submit.
- Open your internet browser. You can use any browser, such as Chrome, Opera, Firefox, or Safari.
- Go to WeChat's Official Account Registration page. Type apply.wechat.com in your browser's address bar, and hit the key on your keyboard.
- Fill out the "Basic Information" form with your business email, password, and region. You will use this email address and password to log in to your official business account.
- Check the box next to "I have read and agreed to the <WeChat Official Account Admin Platform Service Agreement>". It's located at the bottom of the Basic Information form. You have to agree to the service agreement in order to register an official account.
- Make sure to read WeChat's service agreement before you agree to it. This document contains important information regarding your rights as an official account user.
- Click . It's a green button at the bottom of the Basic Information form. This button will take you to the second registration form, "Registration Info".
- Fill out the "Registration Info" form with your company's basic information. You will need to provide your company's name and telephone, as well as a brief company introduction and a company contact's name.
- Click the button next to Company BR. This option lets you upload supporting documents to certify your company's legitimate business status.
- Select and upload your company's supporting documents. These may include official certificates, company profiles, business cards, or anything that may help you support your company's official account registration.
- Fill out the Operation Info section with a business proposal. Your proposal should include why and how your company intends to use WeChat for business purposes.
- Click the button next to Proposal Attachment. Here you can upload supporting documents for your proposal, or attach a detailed proposal statement from your computer.
- Click . It's a green button below the Proposal Attachment option. It will take you to the third registration form, "Account Info".
- Enter a display name for your company next to OA Display Name. Your company account will appear on WeChat by this name.
- Fill out the OA Intro section with a brief introduction about your company. This intro will be displayed on your company's profile.
- Enter the verification code. Type the verification code in the text field.
- Click . Your official account registration will now be complete.
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| How to Elevate Your Feet Posted: 23 Sep 2017 01:00 AM PDT Taking a load off and elevating your feet feels great, particularly if they're swollen. Whether your feet are puffy due to pregnancy or too much walking, elevating them can make you more comfortable. By raising and resting your feet, reducing foot swelling, and maintaining good foot health, you can keep your feet ready for all your favorite activities. EditRaising and Resting Your Feet - Remove your shoes. Take off your shoes and socks before elevating your feet. Shoes can cause blood to pool in your feet and encourage swelling. Socks can do this too, particularly if they are tight around the ankle. Give your toes a quick wiggle to get your blood flowing.[1]
- Lie down on a comfortable couch or in bed. Stretch your body out on a long couch or bed, lying on your back. Make sure you have lots of room and that you don't feel you're going to roll off the couch. Prop up your back and neck with a pillow or two if it makes you feel more comfortable.[2]
- Avoid lying flat on your back if you are pregnant and past the first trimester. Your uterus can put too much pressure on a central artery, actually suppressing blood flow, which is the opposite of what you want to do. Place a couple of pillows behind your back so you are propped up at a 45-degree angle.[3]
- Use pillows to raise your feet up to the level of your heart. Place pillows underneath your feet and ankles to elevate them. Stack as many as necessary to elevate your feet to the level of your heart. Raising your feet to heart level will help drain pooled blood from your feet and make it easier for your heart to increase circulation.[4]
- You may be most comfortable putting a pillow or two underneath your calves as well to support your elevated feet.
- Keep your feet elevated for 20 minute intervals throughout the day. Regular 20 minute intervals of elevation should reduce the swelling.[5] You can use this opportunity to catch up on email, watch a movie, or accomplish other tasks that don't require you to stand.
- If you have an injury, such as a sprained ankle, you'll want to elevate your foot more often. Try to have your foot elevated for a total of 2-3 hours each day.[6]
- If you find that your foot swelling doesn't go down by using this routine for a few days, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
- Place your feet on a footstool when sitting in a chair. Even slight elevation will reduce everyday swelling. Use an ottoman or footstool to lift your feet off the ground whenever possible while seated. Raising your feet will increase blood circulation.[7]
- You can purchase a small footstool for under your desk if you spend lots of time sitting at work.
- Apply ice if it feels good. Use an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel to ice your elevated feet for up to ten minutes at a time. Wait an hour between ice applications.[8] Doing this can reduce swelling further and ease any discomfort you're experiencing. Always use a barrier between the ice and your bare skin.[9]
- If you're feeling the need to ice your feet more frequently due to swelling and pain, make an appointment with your doctor.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time. Get up once an hour and walk around for a minute or two just to keep your blood flowing. Long periods of sitting can cause blood to pool in your feet, which causes more swelling. If you have to sit for a long period of time, use a footstool to help promote circulation.[10]
- Wear support stockings. Wear full-length support stockings to increase blood flow and ease swelling in your feet. Stockings are most effective if you wear them all day, particularly if you're going to be standing a lot. Avoid compression socks, which may squeeze above the ankle and encourage foot swelling.[11]
- You can purchase support stockings online at health supply stores, such as ExMed and Walgreens.
- Drink 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Drinking enough water can flush your body of extra salt and reduce foot swelling. Some adults may need more or less depending upon pregnancy or other health conditions. For most people though, drinking at least 48 ounces (1.4 liters) of water a day will keep excess swelling to a minimum.[12]
- While the occasional soda or coffee is fine, do not count these beverages as part of your daily water intake. They can have a diuretic effect.[13]
- Don't force yourself to drink more if you can't.
- Get regular exercise. Aim to work out for at least 30 minutes 4 to 5 days a week to keep your blood flowing. Even a casual walk will keep your heart rate up and discourage blood from pooling in your feet. If you're sedentary right now, slowly work your way up to 4 days a week by starting with a 15 minute session one day at a time.[14]
- If you have limitations due to pregnancy or injury, ask your doctor what exercises you can do to alleviate swelling.
- Exercising with a buddy can be a great way to stick to a new fitness routine.
- Certain yoga poses, such as lying on the floor with your legs up against the wall, can reduce foot swelling, too.[15]
- Avoid wearing shoes that are too small. Wear shoes that fit you well and ensure that the ball of your foot fits in the widest part of the shoe easily.[16] When you wear shoes that are too small, it can cut off circulation, causing pain or even injury.[17]
EditMaintaining Good Foot Health - Wear supportive shoes for exercise. Thick-soled sneakers can provide your feet with additional cushion for running and jumping when you exercise. You can also buy gel inserts for added support. Always wear shoes with lots structure and stability if you're going to be active.[18]
- Shop for shoes at the end of the day when your feet are at their most swollen. Shoes should fit your feet well, even when they're at their largest.
- Lose any extra weight. Try to maintain a healthy weight for your height through diet and exercise. Additional pounds can put pressure on your feet and strain your blood vessels, particularly if you're active. Even losing a pound or two will decrease everyday foot swelling.[19]
- Your doctor can advise you on a healthy weight range for you.
- Avoid wearing high heels every day. Opt for high heels shorter than two inches and try not to wear them often. High heels can pinch your feet, and they put lots of pressure on the ball of your foot. Putting so much weight on a small area like this can cause swelling, pain and even displace bones.[20]
- If you want to wear high heels, a chunky heel rather than a stiletto will provide more stability.
- Don't smoke. Smoking taxes your heart and makes circulating your blood more difficult. Particularly since your feet are so far from your heart, they can get swollen and shiny as a result. Your skin can even start to thin. Consider a regimen to quit smoking to improve your overall health as well as the health of your feet.[21]
- Massage your feet to ease pain and improve circulation when needed. Rub the sole of your foot with a rolling pin to get your blood moving. You can even ask a partner to rub the soles of your feet, which will increase circulation and clear pooled blood. Use your fingers to massage any areas of tightness or discomfort.[22]
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to manage minor pain. If your doctor has ruled out more serious conditions, it is usually safe to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to manage foot swelling. Take 200 to 400 milligrams of ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours as needed to diminish puffiness and reduce discomfort.[23]
- Always check with your doctor before taking any medication. Some medications and medical conditions may interact with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.
- If your foot swelling doesn't reduce after regular elevation for a couple of days, visit your doctor for a check up.
- Certain serious conditions, such as kidney and heart disease can cause foot swelling, so don't ignore persistent swelling.[24]
- Call a doctor immediately if you experience pain, redness or warmth in a swollen area or if you have an open sore in the area.
- Call a doctor if you are experiencing shortness of breath or swelling in just one limb.
- Protect swollen areas from additional pressure or injury, since these areas don't heal as well.
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