As a variety collector I am always on the hunt. As a half dime collector of both the cap bust series and the seated ,I've been lucky to have found so many varieties to add not only to a date set but a variety one az well. Many who work on a type set sort of build their set to their own liking, as to grade, graded, raw, etc. As a variety collector and one who has built several type sets, I just wanted to share with you a easy way to both remember,and score a nice bust H-10 but add a little more meat on the bone. Now lets say you need a bust half dime for your 7070 set. While walking the floor you spot a nice 1834 half dime. Bust half dime can and do get pricy, a specimen with an inverted 3 variety even more.... Here is a little secret on how to spot and pick one without any one else knowing what your doing. Now notice the date on my specimen look how the lower loop of the 8 is semi filled. If you flip it over you'll also notice that the last "S" in states is also semi filled on its lower loop, as well it sits just about center to the EPU S and U on the banner . Now once again flip it over and examine the date. Dates as well as other Letters and numbers are sometime filled with dirt...after all we are talking about a coin thats nearly 200 years old. I have a term I call those little pieces of dirt "coin boogers " They maybe blocking the 3 enough that you can see the inverted backwards 3 under the primary 3. However....If you have spotted that 8 with its lower loop filled, and the S is the same you have hit pay dirt. Many dealers dont even worry about that extra meat on the bone,as they for the most part are pricing the specimen as to its grade. If you study the images I have posted carefully you will see yes dirt in the 3 ..But the two lines that sort of connect the top ball of the 3 to the bottom part of the 3. Bingo....an 1834 inverted 3 variety. Using this technique alone one should easily be able to find one while on ebay.....and again 7 out of 10 dealers don't know this..... So have a go at it.....log on ebay 1834 half dimes and look for the 3 pick ups I gave you. Also while at a show...but one may wish to wait to do the happy dance until out of sight of the dealer you just picked!
Good luck hunting some of you may already have an 1834 inverted 3 in your collection and dont know it......again follow the pups I noted and betcha you got a nice variety.
Yeah...just not the interest .... i work a local show most shows there are near 20 dealers I am friends with.....so before the show opens I do look over dealers inventory. I cant tell you how many times I've pointed out to a dealer that they are under priced on a cherry pick coin. Most as my friend will offer me the coin....as they know I do collect varieties. There are several 1834 inverted 3 variety, on the bay right now.....as I just did a little window shopping. And yes there are 1834 inverted 3 that do not have the filled 8 & S. As remember there are for this series 123 die pairs, there are 39 obv. and 36 rev. dies which were paired ,I recall 1 show where a dealer here asked me, then gave me the coin to take home to attribute....an FE cent. The coin was sweet in great condition....The show was about to open and I didn't have any of my resources at hand.....and wasnt up on the series as others. I knew i would see him the following week....well yes it was a very rare variety , that he had under priced not knowing ....so the $500 coin in his inventory turned out to be worth 3.5 times the asking price. He said to me you always give me tips....I had $ 500 on the coin if you want it for that price it is yours. I declined as it didn't fit my collection. ....as well not having 500 on me, as I had already picked another dealer where I spent my bank roll.
