Draped Bust Half Help!

Hi, I am new to the world of draped busts and was having some trouble with this one. Aside from the obvious problems with this coin(gouge on obverse, dark spot on reverse) I was wondering if this coin had been tooled or if it is even authentic. I don't have another coin in hand to compare it to, only pictures.

The pics came out a little dark with a bit of a glare. The reverse pictures show the true color.

 

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Looks like a genuine O-105 to me. I can't see any obvious sign of tooling. Great looking coin.

Ben

 

Thanks Ben. Grade opinions would also be appriciated.

 

VF-25/30 or so...

Ben

 

Nice coin, the Draped Bust design has always been one of my favorites. I recently purchased a draped bust half-CENT and I clicked on this topic thinking you had the same thing
I agree with Bonedigger, it looks in the Very-Fine area to me too.

 

Sorry Ben - I agree it is about VF, but I disagree with the variety. I think it is a O-110a - the right base of F is missing(so reverse F - correct?), plus a slender 7. Then I see a die crack across the bust going towards the stars. I also see the crack or what I think is a crack from S in states to the clouds. The funny thing is the picture in the book shows the weak strike exactly like this on the eagles beak and the cloud. I like to practise attributing coins around here.

 

Thanks for the replies! Think I really fancy the draped bust coins! This is the first one I have purchsed, Think I really went out on a limb when I bought it!! I paid 300 for it, I knew the grade would be a higher vf but the coin definetly has some issues. But I would not settle for a low grade coin, I wanted to see some detail, so I figured this was the only way I could afford a coin with such detail. The gouge doesn't really bother me so I am happy with the coin even if I over paid a bit.

 

I posted an 1807 not too long ago that I paid $250(fine maybe) for and it was not has good as yours. So I think you did good - in my opinion.

 

No worries buddy. Good call on the attribution.

Ben

 

It's a great looking coin.

 

thanks for the comments everyone!!

 

Yes, it's a nice coin... and yes, it's a fabulous design. One of the very best.

In draped bust silver, the halves are the best value. High mintage means much lower cost than lesser denominations.

 

Because the shield is in such good condition, I'd rate it a little higher than others and attribute the areas that look worn to a weak strike or worn dies. So, I'd give it a minimum grade of EF-35 and a maximum grade of XF-45.

Gorgeous! :thumb:

Ribbit