Hello coin community,
I am looking for a Chinese shell (with coin) that fits as well as possible on a Walking Liberty. When I find some with measurements, they are either too small or too big (30mm/31mm).
Other origins would of course also be OK, they should have a hole and not look like copper or silver.
Thanks for any hints

Half dollars are all (supposed to be to the tenth) the same size.

Eddie Gibson made one. Some were sold as ring on/off string sets.

In theory yes, or let's say in uncirculated conditions. My Liberty's are not uncirculated and they are at least a tenth smaller. They shoud be 30,6 mm, but it's more about 30,4something.
I've got a Luohanqian coin, which does not fit in my exp. Liberty Shell, so a Luohanqian exp. shell would be a very loose fit for my silver coins.

Are there only shells for Kennedy's? I'm certainly not the only one who would benefit from a tenth of a mm less. I was hoping that some manufacturer might have addressed this problem.
Like for Morgan Dollars. I've found a perfect fitting shell, sold as "Dollar-Size", but it's 38 mm. Perfect for my aged Morgans. Got a super cool "B" to my C/S for a couple of bucks.

I couldn't find a clue about Eddie Gibson coin and shell. Can you perhaps give me a further hint?

So there are multiple things going on here.
1) I don't know anything about your coin set and shell. Is it expanded, or is it a deans set? Was it a custom set that came with (size) matched inserts, or was it bought separately from the inserts, and they just happen to fit?
2) You are right that as coins wear and age (especially the older ones) they loose some of their reeding and thus have a slightly reduced diameter.

Together, this conspires to have a problem. You have three options. Either
- you have a WL shell that can fit _any_ WL (but then might be too large on some)
- you have a WL shell that fits slightly worn coins, (but then might be too small for some, and _still_ too large for others)
- you get a custom matched shell + insert set, which will have a perfect fit but then you probably won't get _any_ other coins.

If you have a custom fit or reduced (still really custom) set, then of course it makes sens that you'd have a hard time finding Chinese coins that fit, because you don't have a standard insert size. I can't give specific recommendations.


If it's an expanded shell, then you only need to worry about the size of the Chinese coin matching that of an uncirculated WL. Both the Luohanqian and Palace coins fit a traditional half dollar for me perfectly - but I checked my Kennedys - I didn't have a worn WL on hand.

I hvae one of the Royal Chinese coins + shell (https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/2003, if you can find them) which was a touch smaller than the half dollar. But I don't know if it will be the right size for you coins.
I never liked the look of the Johnson, Sterling, or Tango coins, but I think the Sterling/Johnson ones were smaller, too. My dollar sized Tango one is, but that's not a perfect indication.


Or you could just get one you like and then take a small amount of sandpaper to wear it down until it fits....

It's not a set. I've got a expanded shell (inner diameter 30,56) and a bunch of matching coins (diameter around 30,42 - 30,45 mm).

So something with exact a thenth less thean Kennedys would be fine. 30,5 mm is what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the information about the Royal Chinese coin. I've looked at them before. It says 1,25", which would be 31,75 mm. My exp. shell does only have 31,46 mm on the outside.
Are you sure this is the right brand?
I asked different retailers about Tango (including Tango themself) and other coins. They all said it's half Dollar size, something questionable (sometimes 31 mm, sometimes 30mm - for the same coin?), or didn't answer at all.

I had Ronald Davies (find him on FB) make me a custom set in dollar size. My set includes a dollar shell that fits dollars (of course) but also a Chinese coin (dollar sized) and a Chinese shell that fits dollars sized coins as well as the Chinese coin. I had my set made to do a wild coin routine, with a shim, little bit of dark art and a mag_ _T you can have a very visual change to end.

Sorry, no FB. Would it be possible to send me his email (pm)?

The problem is that they all say "half dollar sized" because it's about giving the comparison point (vs quarter or dollar) rather than an exact match by dimension.
Maybe they've changed manufacturing specifications, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that the Royal Chinese coin + shell I'm holding in my hand right now does not fit a half dollar in it. Which means the insert is slightly smaller. Too much smaller? I can't say. But it doesn't really cost much to try.

Thanks I'll give it a try.

I am posting an image for a few days to show the item.
https://www.facebook.com/share/BzcxWHwiV......d=WC7FNe

These are Sterling?

They are the Eddie Gibson coins from the late 1970s

Where am I supposed to find them?

Japanese Coins & Shell Set

Thanks, but are you sure?
I have started a thread about exactly this set and have also written to the seller. Overall, I have the impression that it is more suited to Kennedy dollars.

This is the Luohanqian set Tonsofquestions mentioned. The shell fits these random Walker and pristine Kennedy halves. I think you'd be hard pressed to find something with a better fit that isn't custom made for you.

A good place to buy is from Tom Ladshaw. He has other sets, some with multiple shells, and sells the coins individually as well.

https://tomladshawmagic.com/chinese-luoh......llar-set

I have on of these coins and it is a little to big for my WL shell. However, I have the feeling that you really know all the coins. Incredible collection.
If you say I can't get any closer, that's probably the case. Thanks

For your WL shell?
Are you trying to get a Chinese shell over your WL shell or just over WL coins?

Most shells wouldn't fit this Chinese one unless the WL shell was unexpanded... Then the fit would be like a regular coin, but obviously looser on the milled down "normal" coins.

From the original post, it's a Chinese shell to go over a WL.
But I stand by my original response - particularly to ask for more detail about the size of the WL and existing set.
WLs should be the same size as Kennedys, but the concern was that your WL is slightly smaller and so is too loose in the shell.
The only way to get a perfect fit is to go custom - otherwise you have to have enough room for some variation in the coins, so the tolerances can't be as tight.

Did you try the Royal Magic one? How was the fit for you?