1848-O Standing Liberty Half - Die Break?

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 3 / Views: 1,309
Ralph Pillar of the Community United States 1582 Posts	Posted 09/19/2006 1:18 pm While organizing my Seated Liberty coins, I came across this oddity. It's an 1848-O SL half - looks like it's been rode hard, and put up wet, but there appears to be a break across the neck, with the area above the break just a little bit higher than the area below the break - had to look at it sideways under magnification to see the difference. I've only got a couple dozen of these coins, so I'm not all that familiar with them. Is there someone on the forum with knowledge of this type coin that can explain more about this one? Are errors a more common occurrence in the early dates. Is this particular one an oddity, or common for the type? I'll appreciate any and all comments on this one. Image: 1848-O Seated Liberty Half.jpg 77.2 KB Image: 1848-O Raised Area.jpg 25.7 KB Image: 1848 O SL Half - Reverse.jpg 80.66 KB Report this Post to the Staff

biokemist6 Bedrock of the Community United States 12437 Posts	Posted 09/19/2006 3:16 pm The line across the neck doesn't look raised to me. It has the same dark toning as the protected areas around the head, leading me to believe that it is incuse, probably a scratch. Die breaks will not leave an incuse line. A die break or crack will only leave a raised line or lines on a coin. A true die break on the devices of a coin would be worn away by the time it is G-VG. Report this Post to the Staff
Metalman Pillar of the Community United States 7123 Posts	Posted 09/19/2006 3:47 pm Hi Ralph I agreew ith Biokemist the line across the neck is a scratch Post mint damage, To answer your question about the frequency of breaks on older coins,,They are more common on the older coins than the more modern pieces based on the advances in alloy's and treatment of the metals which reduces the fatigue factor. Rick Report this Post to the Staff
Ralph Pillar of the Community United States 1582 Posts	Posted 09/19/2006 4:44 pm Of course! Don't know what I was thinking - still in the early learning stages. A die break would have been raised, and this mark is, indeed, incuse - most likely man-made. I guess what threw me off was the surface just above the mark is minutely higher than below the mark leading me to think it might have been a mint error - guess if the coin were held in hand, and, say, a knife were used to scratch this line across Liberty's neck, the metal on the upper edge of the cut would be displaced a little due to the pressure applied. Thanks guys. I always learn a little something everytime I ask questions here on the forum. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 3 / Views: 1,309

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Classic and Colonial Variety and Error Coins

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.24 seconds to rattle this change.