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 Replies: 18 / Views: 2,290 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
VF-20
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1787 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
A nice looking F15. Agree with westcoin, I'd give it a quick run through in acetone.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
522 Posts |
I appreciate the feedback and comments. Admittedly, of course, I'm the owner, but. I can't see F15 at all on this one. I think it's an easy VF-20. Looking at Photograde, slabbed examples and right now reading ANA Grading Standards. According to ANA: VF-20 Obverse: More than 1/2 details still show in hair (easily); Drapery and lower curls are worn but bold (check); Ear, clasp and curls are plainly visible (more than plainly visible in fact) Reverse: Head and leg are worn, but some feathers visible ( more than some- even the talon is detailed); Most details in wings are clear (for sure); Motto is complete ( yes, but a bit weakly struck); Half of horizontal shield lines are separated (more like 80%). No distracting marks (ok, I'll try the acetone), no hairlines, rim is pretty decent. I don't see how this grades any lower than 20; in fact I was of the opinion it was higher when I bought it. Nice uniform cameo and toning. I'm interested to hear the reasoning for the F15 grades. Thanks |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
In general, capped bust halves are very hard to grade. Because of the strike inconsistency at the mint, you can't rely only on photograde or any describing source heavily because each coin is different. I've seen coins with VF detail that are actually AU. Sometimes coins with AU detail are actually VF. You have to look at a lot more than wear on these older coins.
With this coin, I noticed it was struck with most detail on the reverse. Miss Liberty's brow was probably struck incomplete, but otherwise completely struck up as well. With the chin line still visible, and the details in the left wing still visible, I'd say solid VF-20.
I too would like to hear others thought processes on how this coin is a F-15.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3674 Posts |
Hardly unusual for the series, the obverse die was seated improperly. Note the uneven strike, with a sharp centril in star 7 and significant weakness diagonally opposite, with very little detail in the bottom curl and a weak rim. IMHO, more weight needs to be given to the reverse when the obverse has uneven strike weakness. Add me to the VF-20 camp here. I agree with giving it an acetone swim. Nice coin, honest wear.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11917 Posts |
In the obverse liberty shows hair that is too flat for a VF coin. The forelocks blend completely into the forehead. Overall hair is worn flat and shows very little strand separation. Cap is also largely worn flat.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
I wouldn't argue VF20, was on the F-VF fence but chose F15 given the overall flatness of the high points into mid relief points. Large curls in hair are all visible but all finer details are worn flat. No separation between eye and the hair above the eye (though this is common to see even in VF examples). While there is separation on the majority of all feathers, there is significant, even wear, on the verge of blending them together.
Just my thought process looking at it initially. Looking at it again, I could equally see VF.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18720 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
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Valued Member
149 Posts |
This coin is really an F12+ (so F15 is reasonable) but one can made a solid argument for it being VF20, espeically because the details of the reverse which is much better than what should be seen in a Fine grade. But the portrait is F12, IMO, at least accoding to ANA standards. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
Just for kicks, this is an O-112 variety with a R3 rating (Scarce: 201-500 known).
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Nice thinning of the patina, producing cameo wear,
F-15.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
522 Posts |
@ jacrispies: thanks for the attribution- How do you know that? Is there a good online source for diagnostics?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
I have United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836 fifth addition. This is a great hands-on resource. Dave's Bust Half Dollar Site (maibockaddict.com) online is a great resource as well. It has just as much info as the print version.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Replies: 18 / Views: 2,290 |
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First Page
Posted 11/08/2021 2:38 pm
