Real Capped Bust Half Or Not?

Your RedBook must have a printing error, that reverse was used through 1836 and then changed with the introduction of the collar-struck reeded edge design.

It looks good to me. Nice toning on an AU-53 coin!

I'm torn on this one.

The attribution, O-111, looks correct, making it R.1. The price is AU55 money, and I don't think the coin makes AU55. AU50 maybe. Either way, the additional cost of slabbing would have to be figured in to achieving that value.

The color is wonderful, and would probably add at least a grade's worth of value. But is it real? Don't know. The spectrum is correct, right colors in right places, and I've seen Busties with this coloring. RICA bothers me a bit, though.

Most troublesome is the marks on the jaw. I'm forced to suspect that this would keep it out of a righteous slab.

In truth, I have to advise a pass on this one. $325 is a lot of coin for a Bust Half, and I think you could do better for that money. It's a risk at best.

I don't think there's a question about whether it's genuine, just whether the toning is natural and the marks on the jaw disqualify it.

I agree as well that the toning seems funky to me and the marks on the jaw look like some porosity to me. As for the toning, it looks like it may have been dipped a while ago and retoned, the less toned surfaces look too bright to me, although it could just be the picture.

IMHO, that's a hefty price for this coin. The toning looks artificial, and I doubt that it could be certified as such. The important thing though is that the buyer likes it, and it is a pleasing type coin. Enjoy!

DM1975,

It looks pretty with the different tones and if it has real eye appeal to you when you get it keep it. As a note I think you paid quite a premium for the look and I feel with more patience you could get a better example for a much better price.

DM1975,
Don't be too bummed out if you have to send it back. I've learned there are always more options on the horizon and with patience, nice pickups can be had for good prices. If you just love it, keep it. At least you'll know you paid a bit of a premium, but everybody does now and then for something that they just plain like or have been searching a long time for. I just wish I had joined this forum for advice similar to what you received before I paid double what a 20 cent piece that was polished and worth probably half what I paid. Good luck building your collection. Bust halves are the favorites of many. You picked a great type.