I noticed that the capped bust half I have won't fit in a conventional half-dollar holder.(the square plastic ones that snap together) It's a lettered edged type [not a reeded edge] and seems to be just a wee little bit larger in diameter than say the barber half. Is that normal? thanks. I absolutely am certain it's genuine so thats not in question.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Capped Bust HD's were larger in diameter than the Barber's and on. I've noticed that my Capped Bust might be a little bigger than some of my newer HD's.
All of the capped coins were a little larger in diameter and thinner, I believe. It holds true with the capped dimes, for sure.
The Capped Bust dimes are bigger than the newer dimes, I know this because I can't fit mine in my dime album page, instead, I had to put it in my penny album.
Capped Bust Half Dollars (and other early lettered-edge coins) were not struck in a collar so the coin was free to expand out unrestrained when the coin was struck. That is why the diameters of these coins is not consistant.
Thank you. I was actually looking for the word "COPY" on it somewhere..lol ya never know these days all the unscroupulous folks on eBay! I also read the article on the edge lettering misprints and mine says "FIFTY CENTS ORA L F A DOLLAR * " (long spaces between the L & F also) also a little mark before the A and one beside the F but could just be a marrs or "bag marks" after all it is near 200 years old. Anyone have any information on how these coins was struck? Id be curious to know.
The silver alloy was rolled out into strips and blanks were punched out. After being verified for correct weight (and adjusted by filing if necessary) the blanks were fed into a Castaing machine which imparted edge lettering and raised a rim (turning the blank into a planchet). The planchets were then fed into a screw press and struck - by hand - by the dies.
I love, You should never hold your coins the way you are holding your CBH in the above photos. Only hold your coins by the edge. (Your fingers should not touch the coin's obverse and reverse.)
your right, my bad. but I got it in its little holder now so it's all good. I figure it's been around almost 200 years so my fondling it for a second i doubt will damage it too bad but then again it might. what is your opinion on grade?
I agree but I would add "cleaned". Note the halo effect around the stars, digits of the date and all the devices.
Also, I believe the clasp has been tooled... a common "fix" on bust halves. My '32 has the clasp tooled along with the cap:
I'm not convinced it was cleaned -recently anyway. You all are probably mpre knowledgeable than I in this field so I guess I shouldn't argue huh? A very good observation though. example, I have an 1893 Colombian exposition half that looks like it just rolled out of the press and I know it wasn't cleaned because I was at the bank in manhattan when the safety deposit box my pop bought was opened for the first time in at least 100 years. they auction them off after an undetermined amount of time and I seen all kinds of brand new looking shiny coins I know for a fact wasn't handled or touched since they was placed in there. The banker said that those coins were a failiure of sorts right from the beginning and were mainly used as trade tokens and to pay back banks for the loans they made for the expenses for the fair and to strike the coins themselves. I'm a little shady on all the details but you get the drift. I'll post a pic of said coin if desired.
look closely at mine. it seems to have 2 ovals in the clasp. you may be right. Does this detract from the value any? and I DO believe that they was cleaned a long time ago.
After seeing the close-ups, I think you're good on the clasp. Looks original to me, and I agree that the coin has been cleaned.
Nice half - most of these puppie have been over dipped or cleaned. If you do a dansco album of those you will find you need shims for some of the coins. Bust coinage is cool.
