28 Bustie Half AT or NOT

I am still in the beginning stages of this so any expert input would be appreciated. I saw this half that looked real nice and was going to put a strong bid on it, but changed my mind as I started to believe it was AT. This was my thought proceess.

Since it had the bullseye toning on both sides that was near identical I did not think it was album toning, which would only leave roll toning as a possible cause of the toning. At first glance the coin looked UNC but after a closer look, there seems to be considerable wear on the drapery, there also appears to be wear on the high parts of the cap and I think the clasp could be a bit stronger. While it is sometimes difficult to tell what is wear and what is a weak strike on bust halves, the strike seems good on this coin so I believe the coin is AU. Since the coin is AU it makes it harder for me to believe the coin has roll toning.

I also see a few toned spots on the top obverse of the coin which could indicate AT.
The blue toning also looks especially unnatural, on the drapery where there is apparant wear.

And finally, this is a raw coin and it is my opinion that the value would sky rocket if it could find its way into a top TPG holder, so that begs the question of why it is not in a holder. The only explaination I can think of is the coin doctor knew it would get body bagged or made an attempt and it came back body bagged.

So my theory is someone bought a butt ugly AU half, dipped it and then applies the AT.

I could be completey off base asnd just trying to learn, so any opinions would be welcome.

 

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I agree with your AU and dipped analysis. I am unsure as to AT or just retoning. Once you dip a coin, if the underlying surface is still prtty good, it can retone quickly, AT or NT. Like many issues in toning, I am unsure if you can ever know, since the major difference in AT versus NT is intent.

Edit: Btw if that is AT I am really sad. THat is already glossy black, any more toning will eat into the surfaces. I would be half tempted to dip it again and then put in a better storage device.

 

This is a toughy. The colors or the pattern does not scream AT to me. Silver will tone in many different ways from coin to coin. The colors are getting dark, and it may be going terminal. Also, just because it's an AU coin (not from a roll), which I am not so sure it is, doesn't mean it can't have the target toning like it shows. If you had some higher res photos, I would like to see them to make a better assetment on the toning and how it lays on the coin around the devices. I really do like the coin either way.

 

Not being an expert, but I kind of agree it was dipped and then toned afterwards. Now how the toning afterwards came could be from an album it sat in for years. I really have no idea.

 

Not sure on the tone as to AT or NT but, I like the half itself very much...~

 

Wow...that's a beauty IMO. I say market acceptable toning....I'd have it graded for sure.

 

I have to agree with BadThad. Its a beauitful looking coin,,,,Its one of my favorite beside the large and small cent series. I would send it in for grading by one of the top two TPGS...because if you can get this into a slab with a numerial grade then you have a very valuable coin on your hands because of the nice toning.

 

The toning on your beautiful Capped Bust Half Dollar is completely natural. I have studied naturally toned Capped Bust Halves in detail and feel rather confident in determining the difference between AT vs. NT.

 

CBH's get those colors a lot, don't know why, but I LOVE it.

 

AT or NT still a nice looking coin. Not trying to hijack your thread, but I'm trying to learn to attribute bust halves...Looks like O-116.

 

this half looks ok to me. its his other 28 half that looks dipped and retoned not so nicely id say.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1828-Early-...49?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item35b4e3b549

 

Yes it is an O-116

 

You think it would make it into a slab with the fairly harsh dipping? I was told they never used to slab those, but maybe they have changed. I am not throwing stones at the coin, just with a dip like that, and retoning, I just would have thought it would get details.

Not an expert in slabbing by any means, though. I am curious of other's thoughts.

Chris

 

I don't think I have seen very many with that type of toning in either PCGS or NGC holders so your thoughts on how it got that way might be correct.

 

What do the edges look like? Any toning on them? Toning seems a bit... umm... splotchy, if that is a word. My vote is for AT but then again, i know nothing.

 

Well, lookie what I found. As my original post said, I had passed on putting a strong bid on this coin and I am glad I did. I was scanning the archives on HA trying to see if coins like this get graded and found the exact same coin. It sold for $276 earlier this month. It was in a details holder - Artificial Toning plus obverse damage. Here is the HA link plus a pic. In addition, the coin is not sold yet on EBAY and it is over $500 with one more day to go. It may go as high as $700. Not a bad days work

http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1158&lotNo=10168

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260847007476?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648

 

That ding between stars 9 & 10 is a dead givaway. Looks like marleycandles1962 is another one to put on the don't bid here list.

 

That user is a fairly well-known crackout artist. Can't believe I didnt check the user id.

 

Great detective work, Mike! I wonder if the other raw, colorful CBH's he's selling were also BB'd.

That's some ding between stars 9 & 10. Take a look at the large Heritage photos. That gouge bothers me more than the questionable color.
Lance.