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 Replies: 11 / Views: 999 |
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Valued Member
United States
152 Posts |
I was really excited to get this one... I think all in all the busts are my most favorite!! She is my first half. Please give me your opinion...   Thanks again!!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
I'd grade this VF-20.
I'm not an expert on Bust halves, but the detail on the clasp and some of the hair lines looks odd compared to the overall wear evident on the coin. This may be normal. Perhaps some of the forum Bust experts will comment.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
VF-30/35, Very nice clasp definition.  Ben |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
Bilbo might be on to something. I remember reading about a bust half that had the clasp re-engraved in an attempt to make it look like a higher grade. The oval groove in the clasp on this coin does seem unusually sharp given the overall amount of wear. I would check this area under a microscope to see if I could find evidence of tool marks. If it is re-engraved, the coin doctor at least did a careful job!
In other respects, this coin looks original and attractive; a nice VF.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
Here's an example of a tooled clasp where the tooling wasn't done very well. Note the inconsistent depth and overall lack of symmetry of the oval. The clasp on Sheepy's half looks real to me though it is remarkably well defined relative to other details of the ooin. If it was tooled, the culprit is a gifted person.   Edited by hunter20ga
10/30/2007 5:40 pm
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
These coins had a lot of strike issues. I believe the clasp detail is original. There is definite wear on the curl on the neck and on the eagle's right wing. Without this, I'd put it at EF40 all day long. With those two areas that I feel are wear and not strike, I would call it VF30. Very nice coin! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
By 1834 they had struck so many capped bust half dollars that they had improved the general consistency of the coins. The eagle's right (facing, left on the coin) wing was always a problem though, as was the "URI" in "E PLURIBUS UNUM." You can often see mint state coins that will have areas that look like wear on the wing and the scroll in various die combinations. That is one of the areas that makes grading bust halves so challenging. The central obverse detail (hair, ear, clasp, and date) were all strongly struck on this coin and I have no doubt that the details are original. The even wear across the coin attracts, as do the relatively unblemished rims. I know I said VF before, but I should have mentioned that I most definitely meant higher than VF-20. A most solid collectible grade of VF 30-35, although I think SGS might call it MS-62. |
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Valued Member
 United States
152 Posts |
Thanks All! I have been wanting a half bust since I started. I really appreciate all the knowledge shared here!
Kim
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
Which variety of small/large date/letters is this?
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Valued Member
United States
152 Posts |
Firecom911 ~ I believe that it is Large date/small letters.
Kim
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
Thanks, Sheepy! I also have an 1834 bustie, but not as nice as yours. Now maybe I can figger out what date/letters mine is!  Steve |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 999 |
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Posted 10/30/2007 1:23 pm
