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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,825 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
Edited by Moe145
06/06/2013 4:39 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
595 Posts |
I believe this is a result of multiple polishings of the die. Shallow parts of the die are removed and the details start to sink away into the fields. Some of my older proofs show some of this, though less then I see on yours. Some of my proofs also show a little weakness of strike too, but not to the extent seen on many circulation strikes.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
First one I looked up at Heritage was weak in that area. Not as bad as yours, but bad. Considering how hard Business Strikes were to do back then, I can only imagine what a job striking nickel Proofs was.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
8904 Posts |
Ok.... you guys have talked me off the ledge! (I truly was not happy there for a while...) There are a few 1880 Proofs on ebay right now. This one particularly shows the reverse wreath weakness. 350808409395 Edited by Moe145
06/06/2013 5:53 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
I've always thought the missing bow details were of multiple die polishings.
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Valued Member
United States
282 Posts |
Moe ; Here is a scan of my 1880. As you can see it also has the bow details polished away.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
I believe ALL 1880 Proofs have those same missing details.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Oddly, Gifford doesn't indicate those missing details on either of the Proof varieties he lists, and they are not missing on the P2 variety he shows pictures of. In fact the only variety where specifically mentions those missing details is on the B05 variety, a business strike only die pair.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
On the topic of the Gifford book, I see that someone is trying to sell a decent copy of it for $500 on ebay! |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
I assume they had to scrub the dies really hard to keep that nice proof field going, especially when working with nickel (that damnable metal responsible for the downsizing of our half-dollar).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2540 Posts |
Die polishing was common in the 19th century, esp on proofs
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,825 |
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Posted 06/06/2013 5:35 pm
