Is this a mint state half cent?

Yes, today the government puts the date and mint mark on the edge of the dollar coins. I think that is totally silly. I can see where you might put "E. Pluribus Unium" on the edge, which was done on the St. Gaudens $20 gold. He did it to get more design space on the faces of the coin. Putting the date on the edge kills the idea of displaying the coins in an album.

 

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I think EPU should be on one of the sides because of its impotence. That’s just my opinion. Things like silver weight like in the old Russian silvers are edge lettering, as they’re not anything of consequence. The date and mintmark, what were they thinking?

 

AU is probably reasonable money as long as there aren't any problems on the reverse.

 

I always thought it was three.
Sorry I see some other people have already commented on this.

 

Looks BR UNC.

 

I thought the OP stated it clearly in his opening post . . .

 

Nice find.

 

Nice coin. I'm also seeing AU. I do see some signs of honest wear, along with some original luster. Brow, the '5' in the date (unless they're known for weak strike there), hair, all show slight wear IMO.

If the reverse is commensurate with the obverse then this could be a good pickup. Good luck.

 

I’m going to go pick it up in an hour or so. I’ll try to take good pics and post on a new thread

 

If you do that, please post a link to the new thread in this thread so we can follow along seamlessly

 

Here it is. Best I can do with my lighting and phone. Got it for $150

 

Just added to this thread.

 

That's a whole new coin there! Much better pic and shed's a new light on my assessment of it. Nice score.

 

Great info

 

Thanks. Old copper is hard to get a good pic.

 

Indeed "sideways" is like upside-down, don't you think...? Of course, will give you that "making any definitive determination" also makes a difference.

 

not mint IMO. My guess is about au55, if it is not damaged. Look twice at this coin. Look for microabrassion or chemical dip? The darkness about the internal letters and about the devices is what has me concerned. I am not an expert though. Go to Heritage and look for examples to compare.

 

Are you getting it graded by any chance ? I like it , nice coin !

 

I’m thinking about it. I have quite a few coins that I need to grade