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 Replies: 29 / Views: 2,188 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1959 Posts |
A couple Half Dimes I picked up today. Nothing spactacular. As usual, general discussion, comments and grade is what I'm after. I think they were both popped out of an old album.   |
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Valued Member
United States
124 Posts |
Mintmark in two spots in the same year? Interesting. I like the one on the right but don't feel confident to grade yet. Nice pickup, Half Dimes always fun to have! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Great pair!  First pic a bit soft, but I would say VF-20/25 on both. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
i hate to disagree with the Frog but man I think that is way too low an estimate. These are easily EF pieces if not AU.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I don't think so. There is hardly any hair outline on either figure, and the wear on the bust, thigh and LIBERTY on the first example jumps out, even allowing for a soft photo. Neither has the schmaltz of an EF coin to me.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
And by the way, dsfree, please disagree with me anytime!!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
weak strike on the obverse, typical of San Francisco minted coins of the era and seated series over all. the reverse detail gives away the obverse weakness of the strike. and of course, I am not claiming expertise all end all opinion here and I am more a liberty Seated dime student than anything else. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
We need an emoticon on the forum that shows, like, two Japanese guys bowing to each other. Seriously! Help us out, Moderator! Use your clout! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Seriously, I want to thank dsfree for his insights here. I agree the reverses appear better (if unevenly) struck. I don't think they would make EF at a TPG, but that is moot. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1788 Posts |
VF25 seems right on the obverse, but reverse looks xf.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Anybody know the story behind why they changed the MM position mid-way in the year?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1959 Posts |
You guys are too funny. Well, as the owner of the coins, my opinion as to grade is clouded. Thankfully, these little Half Dimes don't vary on price between grades to much. That being said, I put them at EF. I'll try and get a couple of better pics. My iphone photo taking skills are sketchy at best. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1788 Posts |
Beautiful examples! I now want both of these   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Great topic. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1959 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
I'm bowing back  here's a couple of points of interest I found doing some reseach: Quote:Half dimes were first struck in San Francisco in 1863 and they were produced every year through 1873. The mint mark was placed below the wreath beginning in 1863 and continued in this position through 1869. The unique 1870-S Half Dime has a mint mark within the wreath while all of the known 1871-S Half Dimes have their mint marks within the wreath. The mint mark was again placed below the wreath on 1873-S Half Dimes making the 1872-S Half Dime the only branch mint issue of this denomination for which both In Wreath and Below Wreath coins were produced. Also, noted Hall of Fame Numismatist, Brian Greer, one of only three acknowledged experts on Liberty Seated dimes, had this to say specifically about the 1872-S issue of the dime Quote:
uneven strikes are common for this date. Obverse weakness is frequently seen on Liberty's
head and/or foot. The upper left section of the reverse wreath also has a propensity to exhibit strike weakness. My best guesses are A) the mint director and /or employees who struck the coinage were enjoying the ability to switch MMs around at their leisure and B) as previously stated, weak strike characteristics are common place in San Francisco Seated coinage, regardless of denomination. |
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Replies: 29 / Views: 2,188 |
Posted 08/11/2015 4:02 pm
