OK. First the quarter and the half.
These two I found "in the box."
The "box" contains coins which the dealer has recently bought but not priced for resale.
To be given access to "the box" is the highest compliment that a dealer can pay to a collector.
The quarter is marked F for fine. When I showed it around to my colleagues, one said, "Hah, that's a very fine."
It is marked with $60, crossed out, a $54 and a $50.
The half is marked:
1818 Bust 1/2
8 over 7
small 8
O-102 R-2
Looks like he bought it in Waterbury, CT back in August.
No grade indicated. Hope it makes a fine.
It was marked $70.
Opinions on both coins as to grade welcome.
To me, they look pretty and honest.
Now the third coin: an 1837
Half Dime - No Stars.
(Drum roll, please .....)
The color is a bit darker in hand. I only have a scanner.
This coin was priced by Vinny, the seller.
It is marked:
1837 LGE DATE XF-45
An except from an email to my sister:
I reference the CCF write-up on
Half Dimes.
"When I say that it is my
Half Dime, I mean the date and the "VARIETY!" This particular example
is a V6 or variety six. Look closely at the leg. Brad asked me, "Did you notice the leg? It looks
like a cast on a broken leg."
Well, as it turned out "Mr.
Half Dime", Steve I think is his name, gave us a talk on Friday at our meeting.
He told me that my dime is a variety 6 which is caused by a defect in the die used to stamp the coin.
It is not damage. It left the mint with this "marker."
There is also another defect by the left arm. It shows very faintly on my coin. I just noticed it.
Then he said, "The holder is incorrect. This is not a large date. It is a small date.
Don't you remember what I said yesterday?"
Your humble blogger, egg on his face, did his best to maintain composure.
"Well, not consciously. I must have absorbed your information and acted on instinct."
Your Humble Servant is a newbie with
Seated Liberty coins.
As the write-up explains, there is no big difference in price between the two sizes.
However, the small date is much less common.
As Vinny said, "If you can only buy one
Half Dime, why not get the first year?"
I had told him, "I am looking for
Seated Liberty coins which match the half dollar you sold me last May."
He pulled this one out for me. Love at first sight!
I made a very good purchase using only my eye for aesthetic and "gut instinct." Everyone liked it."
So there you have it. My three new additions.
Thanks to everyone for playing.
First Page
Previous Page
Posted 09/17/2012 9:45 pm
(Admittedly I already have a 
