| Author |
 Replies: 7 / Views: 3,384 |
|
|
Moderator
 Australia
16806 Posts |
I've just purchased an Oregon Trail half dollar, 1926, from a local dealer down here in Brisbane, Australia. I've got a couple of newbie questions for you: 1. Which side is considered the "obverse"? Ordinarily, in cases such as this where there is neither a portrait nor heraldic device, I'd label as the obverse either the side with the most prominent human figure, or the side which names the issuing country. In this case, both these criteria seem to point to the "Indian side". Yet I see the pictures in the RedBook imply that the "wagon side" is the obverse. Why is this so? 2. Where's the mintmark, and why doesn't the RedBook say where the mintmarks are for commemorative coins that have them? In the RedBook and on the CCF factpage, I can see a little dark smudge to the left of the Indian's feet, which seems to be lacking on my coin - is that it? 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
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
Hi - The side with the Indian is considered the obverse; the wagon train is on the reverse. The mint mark is to the left of the Indian's foot and just the the right of "Half" on the obverse. You can see it in these pictures: http://www.coinfacts.com/commemorat...il_1938s.htmhttp://www.coinfacts.com/commemorat...on_trail.htmThere were coins of this type minted in Philadelphia which will not have a mint mark. So, you probably have a 1926-P. The Oregon Trail is a beautiful coin. Congrats on your acquisition! Ken |
|
Forum Dad
United States
24148 Posts |
Quote:
The side with the Indian is considered the obverse; the wagon train is on the reverse. Nope. That's what the Fraser's wanted but not what the Mint decided. The photo here is correct, the one on CoinFacts is wrong. The US Mint for Kids site even had it wrong, I emailed them but never looked to see if they fixed it. |
|
Forum Dad
United States
24148 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
As a general rule for US coins, the obverse is the side with the date. However, some of the classic commems seem like they just put the date where ever it fit. Edited by biokemist6
05/19/2009 1:07 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
Well, you learn something new everyday, I guess. It's interesting, but when PCGS or NGC slab them, they put them Indian side up - this is typically reserverd for the obverse side. And the Indian is facing front on the one I have in my 7070. Don't think I am going to change it. It seems that the mint doesn't have 100% buy in on this one!  Ken Edited by KenKat
05/19/2009 12:50 pm
|
|
Moderator
 Australia
16806 Posts |
Thanks, all.  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
|
|
Member
United States
917 Posts |
Probably one of the more beautiful comm.s Sap , well done Sir , I've long admired that one. I think what made it pretty clear for me on the question is that the indian side is usually shown because its attractive but there is the Half Dollar at the bottem , all half dollar reverses denote the value ? Pretty sure that rule applys. Also the date is always on the front as biokemist pointed out. Of the classics that must be the most popular for looks  |
| |
Replies: 7 / Views: 3,384 |
|
Posted 05/19/2009 10:38 am
