1814 Capped Bust Half Dollar - A/E variety

A pretty half dollar with nice toning. However, this is another coin I find difficult to grade. The obverse is well detailed, while the reverse is noticeably weaker, specially the central devices.
If I am not mistaken, the reverse weakness is characteristic of the variety.
How would you guys grade this specimen?

Many thanks for your help.

 

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I believe the reverse weakness is expected. Looking at a number of certified O-108’s (the only E/A variety) they all look similar. So I am at F-15 / VF20. I am still missing most of the early years in my set, so wait for other opinions...

 

Nice looking half.

 

What puzzles me is that the reverse is so much weaker than the obverse.
Grossly speaking VF30 obverse / F12 reverse, but I am no expert either.

 

Check these out. http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/CoinImages.aspx?s=39490

 

I guess your’s will grade a bit lower than the coins shown on the coinfacts web site, as most of the reverse details are gone. E.g. look at the eagle’s beak...

 

ldhair, thank you for that link. That is really interesting.

Comparing the images on that site with my coin, I would grade the obverse VF25-maybe a bit higher, but with an untypically weak reverse.
The question would be, which side carries the grade?

 

I was thinking along the same lines as you @Eduard on the obverse. I could see it as a VF-30, but the reverse does look like a combination of weakness as well as wear. It could be a bit of cabinet friction coupled with the weak strike on the reverse. I think overall it might go VF-20 - VF-25. However, I am not really up to snuff on this series.

 

I know this variety like the back of my hand. This is a VF35.

 

So you’d grade it higher than the VF30s from the coinfacts web site? Now I am puzzled...

 

Yes. There's a lack of knowledge in this area, even among TPG graders. This is strike weakness primarily, with honest wear. The graders see probably 10 of these every year, and they are extremely undisciplined on the nuances of these varieties.

 

Weak strike on the reverse. Obverse nearly xf. I’m at vf 30

 

Agreed, but Eduard’s coin shows more wear on the obverse, too. In particular in Liberty’s hair, face and dress. The difference in color makes me believe it’s mainly wear, not just strike weakness.

VF30
https://www.pcgs.com/cert/33437083
VF30
https://www.pcgs.com/cert/15291366

 

I can't name them off but there are several Bust Half Dollars with strike weakness on the reverse. It messes with folks trying to grade them. At the same time it can be helpful when trying to figure out the Overton number.

 

I disagree with PCGS on several varieties in the capped bust series. Yes, it's worn, but I grade it VF35.

 

Case in point: PCGS XF40. 1809 O-114a

 

And then you have this PCGS XF40. The reverse seems weakly struck, and the eagle's head shows practically no details.

Strike really does seem to be an issue with the 1814 A/E variety.

 

I think we all agree on that point, however your coin does simply not have as much detail left as the PCGS VF30s shared in above post.

If you don’t agree with the PCGS grades for this series or variety, then of course my grade may seem to be way too low as well...

hey why not submit it to NGC? It comes back VF30 or higher, I’ll buy you a beer...

 

Love the obverse. Great example of wear pattern. As for the reverse. Kinda low

 

Yeah i agree. Not even a 30