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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,328 |
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Moderator
 Australia
16857 Posts |
This coin is the oldest USA coin I have - an 1832 Half Dime. I bought it from a local dealer here in Oz some years ago. The dealer graded it "Fine". I'm just wondering what grade you folks in America would give it, and what the current RedBook value might be. Note that these are scans, not photos:   Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Valued Member
United States
393 Posts |
It's at least f-12 but I'd say vf-20.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2335 Posts |
It's kind of hard to tell from the scan, but I'll give it a shot. On the obverse it's hard to see the hair detail, but the drapery is clear, so are the ear & star centers. On the reverse I can see feathers in the leg & head, the motto is weak(strike?) but readable. I'd give it a VF20.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
Very nice Half Dime. I'd be pleased, very pleased, to find its twin in a coin shop here graded "Fine"...I think it would more likely be VF 20 at the very least in today's market. |
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Valued Member
Ireland
112 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
That's more like VF-30 in my book. Also I would be interested to know more about the die combination since the reverse filled "N" and two "S"'s are nice. Weakness in lettering looks strike-related. People who aren't used to seeing or grading half-dimes need to remember how small these coins are. I used several PCGS, ANACS, and ICG graded coins in comparison to determine my overall grade. Yours has better details than some VF-35's graded by lower-tier services, but the strike weakness, my conservative nature, and the fact that this is a scan of a coin and not an actual coin (to me) keep me from going higher than VF-30.
Questions: is that a die chip atop the "2" in the date? Is there a light scratch obverse between the cap and S7? Does a die crack connect the top arrow on the reverse to the edge? Any other die cracks of note? Are the surfaces lustrous at all?
As for value: even though the books/guides have the value for the series from 1829-1837 basically the same, the 1832 is the 2nd-lowest mintage. It's just me, but just talking about "value" generally I'd say US$112 give or take. Impressive coin.
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Member
United States
3242 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4589 Posts |
Very Nice I say Vf 20 - Vf 30
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Moderator
 Australia
16857 Posts |
Thanks all for your opinions and suggestions. To answer halfabust's questions: Is that a die chip atop the "2" in the date? Looks more like post-mint damage to me - it's taken a knock there. Is there a light scratch obverse between the cap and S7? Yep. Looks "recent", too - might even be 2x2 staple damage. It's been in the 2x2 I bought it in since 1999 at least - I just took it out to scan it, but I sure didn't put that scratch there.  Does a die crack connect the top arrow on the reverse to the edge? Any other die cracks of note? It's hard to be sure because of all the tarnish/black deposits there, but it looks like one. I think I can see something similar coming off the top of the last A in America, but I can't see anything showing up there on the scan. Are the surfaces lustrous at all? Not really. The only shiny metal is inside the scratch...  Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
Thanks sap, due to your answers I have to amend to VF-30 details scratched and say she's still a fascinatin' beauty!
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Forum Mom
United States
5877 Posts |
Sap, it's a beautiful coin! You know that I tend to grade conservatively (especially Bust coinage). I like the details in the stars. They're nice and sharp. The denticles look pretty sharp, also. The clasp is not quite as sharp as I would like for a VF coin, though. On the reverse, it looks like there is pretty significant wear on the eagle's head. I see this coin as an F15. I ordered a book on Half Dime varieties and thought I had received it, but I guess it was backordered. I would have liked to be able to give you some more info on it.  |
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Valued Member
United States
159 Posts |
I would give the coin a VF-20. I believe the lack of details on the high points is because of a soft strike. The sharpness of the clasp, the centers of the stars, and the drapery on the bust make it a VF. If the strike were sharper I would go VF-30. If the dealer sold this as a fine then you got a sweet deal. Perhaps he downgraded it because of the minor flaws on the obv?
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
Current 2008 RedBook Values G4 - $35 VG8 - $45 F12 - $60 VF20 - $85 EF40 - $150 Very Nice Find! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
Definitely looks VF to me.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,328 |
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Posted 05/01/2007 07:46 am
