1982 Large Or Small Beads?

I once read somewhere: check the bun just below the outward projecting jewel on the back of the queens tiara. If you can count 10 different strands in the hair befor a blank spot, it is a small bead low relief; If you can only go 3 or 4...it is Large beads

Well if you counted the beads and there are 120 then thats what number beads the guide says
for the small beads type. Too bad we couldn't find some good images and descriptions
for you yet.

Re the library, did you check the reference only section of your library? They often have
newer versions of books in their reference sections that aren't allowed out of the library.

The library one I have is from 2009 Carlton Coin Guide, 48th edition, and doesn't provide
much info.

I looked at their small images of it and don't know if this is an indicator, but
the last A in REGINA looks to point betwettn the denticles of the small beads one.
The large beads points AT a denticle. I haven't seen any mentios of A & denticles
placements as indicators for this variety though. I just had a look ;)

BUT ... if it does indicate then looking at YOUR coin, I see that your A points between the denticles
just like the small beads image in the guide I have.

I never walked around to look, I decided to use the libraries computer and it said they only had a 1977 copy. I might go back sometime to take a look, or I will just have to order my own off Chapters.

Thanks Dottir for all your help with this coin.



Thanks, I just had a closer look at the coin using my loupe, and I could not see more than two very tiny surface scratches on the front and back. What would that be considered? MS-63? (I am new to grading)

Folks, while I have just finished reading the thread, and was going to suggest thaat there might be a "gouge, (like the answers to a test), somwhere. it turned out to be so, and malibuhas it!
I had the same problem with the size of the beads on the "Vicky's", with the three sizes, and there is a site that spells it out. it is verty hard for me to tell very easily, but the shape is a bit easier. I have a vision problem, obviously, so I use "cheaters" where possible. I suppose others do, also.
dick

Great to hear! A 2009 or 2010/11 are at least a whole lot more current than the 1977 eh? Take care and am glad if anything I said helped you or someone else!

hi, I had recently discovered that there was 2 types of 1982 fifty cent pieces so I looked and found I have 1 in my collection, 1 in my binder of "spare" coins and also I have two year sets. after reading this post I decided to take all 4 pieces to work and puton photocopier and zoom them 1 at a time to 400% and count them. to my surprise all 4 have 120 beads. 2 are still in the mint cellophane and 2 are in AU+ condition.
my point I'm trying to make is..it makes me wonder just how "scarce" these type 2 coins are if I had 4 and they all turned out to be type 2 small 120 bead coins. it seems like the 118 large bead type 1 coins should be the sought after ones.

anyways, just my thoughts.

or is that the other way around?