Post your Bust Half Dimes and Varieties

One of my favorite series to collect is U.S. Half Dimes. Beginning with the Short but fun series the Capped Bust (1829-1837). All these coins were minted in Philadelphia designed by William Kneass ,weighting just 1.35 grams and composed of .8924 silver&.1076 copper, A very small coin with its diameter 15.5mm.
This series for its short run does have some very cool varieties. As well as die marriages.

This is an easy series to complete as there are plenty to be found as the key dates have mintage's just under 1 million. The other dates are over 1 million of production. However in better grades expect to pay for quality coins as well as varieties. The first coin I'll post is an 1830 V-9 meaning a Valentine 9. Its date is medium and irregular in shape the 8 & 3 are close and the 0 a tad bit higher than the rest of the numbers in the date. This coin has the reverse of Die of 1829 #8. I would grade this coin in the VF. range .

The next example I will post is another 1830. I am still in the hunt for two 1829 Bust Half Dimes the regular date 1829 and the 1829 over 3 variety.
However this next coin does have a few things going on that makes it one of my favorites in this series.
this 1830 is an Valentine # 2 It's obverse has a small compact date close to the edge,a faint die break from the 6th star through the cap between the 8th and 9th stars. The Reverse is the reverse die of the 1829 #1. You can tell by the "S" is under the "E" and an arrow head touches the A in America.
The next part is what I like about this coin as it's an Breem # 2985 variety, The C over Horizontal C . Look at the "C" in America. you'll be able to see the pick up point of the arrow head touching the A ,as well as the C over C next to that A.




Now just more thing I found while I had this coin under the scope and that was the Vertical lines in the shield running through the bottom point of the shield as well as the Horz. lines at the top of the shield.

The next coin is an 1831, I believe this to be a Valentine #2 Obv. A compact date ,no pupil in the eye. Rev. The die of 1829 #1 and 1830 #2 The "F" in Of is defective. There's also an nice die clash of the wing in front of the nose to neck area on the obv.
Large 5 C small top on the 5's flag nicely centered.

 

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The next coin an 1832 Obv.Valentine #1 Well placed large date, the 1 and 2 are taller than the other numbers in the date. Rev. is the die of 1830 #1 a die crack from the rim to the second T in states, two arrow heads touch shafts ,and arrows touch the "A". This coin also has the vertical lines running up into the Horizontal lines it the top of the shield.
Large 5 C.

 

The next coin is an 1835 . This year new punches were used for the numbers that were smaller, but this date was also struck using the Larger numbers in the date. Thus we have both a large and small dates for this year. On the reverse we also had both Large 5's and small 5's. Thus you have several varieties Lg. Dt & 5, Lg. Dt. & sm.5, Sm.Dt. & Lg.5,and lastly Sm.Dt. & sm.5.
The coin I'm posting is an example of the Small date and large 5. I say it's in Xf. condition. a Valentine # 4 Obv. small compact date ,and long curve to the 5 on the reverse. Arrows are not close to the "A" in America but two arrow heads do touch the shafts.

 

The last one I have is an 1836 , A Valentine #1A This coin has a vertical die crack running from the rim at the top to and through the 6 in the date.Passing through the cap, the "E" in Liberty,her ear and curls. It has the reverse Die of 1835 #1

 

Nice examples all around, I love this series.

 

Great Coins and write up Paddy. You really show & know your stuff.

 

Post them if ya got them..... let's see some more.

 

Paddy

If I can find mine and I post them, can you id them?

 

Not very good pictures. But here are a couple I can find off hand. I know I have plenty more stored away.

Dave

 

I'm liking that 64 S your 47 image is not full hard to see the reverse .

 

I'll do my best Frank like bust half's they can be a bit tricky .

 

You need to research each coin in this series , there's a lot of markers to use die cracks, numbers, plus a lot share obverse and reverses . Since these are 15 mm coins seeing some of the markers can be tough. Especially if worn,or toned. I also love the seated half dime series. These also have a lot to offer the variety collector.

 

Two nice ones Larry have you I'd them? Yes both 31's one with the olives one with out. Looks like coin one is a V-2 and the second image is a V-5. However coin one does not have an berries coin 2 does.

 

I actually just put them away years ago. They both have problems and I was too stupid to spot it before buying them.

 

Maybe not....as I've been researching the berries there and not....it seems that the no berries type is very rare! It seems that your 1831 no berries could of been struck on a earlier reverse . Let me research more as these like cents shared many reverses. Making that coin an R-7 or R-8.

 

The 1864 S is an V-1 s is well centered and both ends of the ribbon touch the wreath.
The 1847 is an V-2 , the date it tall thin and all numbers touch the base , however the second point top of the 7 does not touch the base. Reverse has heavy lettering , with images you posted it's hard to tell if it's a proof strike.

 

That's cool. Thanks. I like the coin a bit more.

 

Can you see the difference between the two?