1831 Bust Half (PCGS F-12)

I agree the weakness in "Pluribus" is strike related and common on many CBH die marriages.

My 2012 RedBook lists the 1831 Capped Bust half dollar in F-12 to be around $90. (I do think this coin would grade F15 which bumps the price to around $100.)

IMHO, with over 5.8 million of these minted, there are better choices for you.

Maybe:

[eBayItem]250822369363[/eBayItem]

[eBayItem]250867084347[/eBayItem]

[eBayItem]260724117532[/eBayItem]

[eBayItem]360385514397[/eBayItem]

[eBayItem]220814180779[/eBayItem] (My favorite for you...!)


Good luck, my friend! Capped Bust Halfs RULE!

Sometimes we use the term weak strike when we really should just say 'worn' but not here. I have many weak strikes in bust half dollars and agree with the comments so far.

I really like the first coin you have pictured. This is an O-102 with a rarity rating of 1 (R1). I think PCGS is right on with the F12 grade. I don't think it can go higher because of the wear on the drapery.

As far as the other ones go, here are my opinions on those:

#1 - O-103 R1 - F12 details, cleaned. Again, I don't think the grade can go higher because of the wear on the drapery. This is a nice coin, but I don't like it as well as the PCGS coin.

#2 - O-104 R1 - VG10 with nice original surfaces but the gouge at the date ruins this one for me.

#3 - O-109 R1 - F12, details, cleaned a very long time ago and has since retoned nicely. I do feel that this coin is overpriced, however.

#4 - O-108 R1 - VF30 details, past cleaning and has started to retone. The scratches in the left obverse field ruin this one, however.

#5 - O-114 R3 (I think) - F15 with nice, original surfaces but the obverse divet above the cap and the gouge that runs from the wing to the olive leaf ruins this one and makes it a very bad deal for the asking price.

The 1832 is a nice coin that I would grade at VF20 and appears to have nice original surfaces. The pictures are too small for me to attribute it. I like this one a lot and expect that the reserve is probably $100. I would be willing to spend $120 (includes shipping) for this one.

If you are interested in one that does not ship to Canada, please let me know. I can help you out. I'm leaving to go out of town today, but I'll email you with my contact info.

Hope this helps.