I finally got my Parsley/overton book on capped bust half die varieties. I am really enjoying it, and have found the varieties so far for three of my halves. I had some trouble with the second one, and that was mainly because the denticles were worn enough for me to miss on wether they were lh, le,b or c. Are their enough other diagnostics to make a precise attribution? One other question I have is I noticed that their have been other varieties "discovered" since the book came out, would it be more reasonable to assume a coin is a contemporary counterfiet rather than a new variety if it does not match any of the listed overton diagnostics? Or can the cc's match a recognized variety?
this forum is fine. As for the coin you are having trouble with, it is much more likely that it is counterfiet than it is a new variety, though the possibility exists. What is even more likely though is that it is a known variety and that you just haven't matched it to the book yet. If you think you may have a new variety then begin trying to match the obverse side only. After that (whether successful or not) try matching the reverse side to know reverse dies from that year and the years on either side of it. Most know discoveries have a die pairing that includes at least 1 (if not 2) know dies in a new, previously unknown, pairing.
Thank you for answerring, I was called away to dinner before I could respond, the coin I was having trouble with was an 1818. First thing was the date, if measured as shown in the beginning of the book it would be 8 3/4, but it does match obverse 8 in every other detail, and that measure says 9 mm, I can get it to measure 9 by measuring to the outside of the 8 instead of the center which is how it is shown to be measured on the widths of dates page, on that page the measure looks to be center to center not regarding the base. In any case I am struggling through it, but enjoying it, I spent three days on the 1818, until I started relying more on the photos and comparing them to the coin instead of the stated diagnostics. It would be fantastic to find a new variety, but if not it would be okeh just not to find I bought a counterfeit, tho the dealer I bought from I am sure would take a return if asked.
Post a pic and there are several guys on here, including myself, that can help you with an attribution. It is far more likely that you are missing something than that you found a new pairing, but anything is possible.
Thank you for the offer of help, if my son is off work tommorow maybe he can help set me up to post some pictures, I do not have real high grade examples but I like them anyway, so far I have 11 cbhs, so I have a long way to go before they will let me join the half nuts club, btw I went to some coin shops to find a clear piece of acetate marked with millimeters, none had any, but a friend who works in publishing and printing had a fine printers measuring device that worked fine, I cut it off it was over 300 mm, so I just cut off a small piece about 40 mms long, long enough so it does not get lost easily, it also works well in aiming the stars and the A's
The Parsley book is a great book, but it does take some time to attribute some pieces. Sometimes the specifications are so detailed and so similar to others that it becomes confusing. I've had my copy for over a year and have only attributed about half a dozen of my halves so far. But, I'm in no hurry and it's fun. Keep trying. Guy~
While we're on CBH varieties, I've got a question for anybody here. When you send a CBH in to be slabbed, do they look up the variety and list on the label automatically or do you have to ask them to and pay extra? I've got one I might send in some day.
Chip, I happen to own a few of the CBH's. here is my take on your question. Finding a new variety is going to be a really really long shot. I have seen hunreds of fake BHD's. Get to know the varieties, all 400+ of them. Parsley is a great book, also look for one by a Dr Peterson, he just re-released about a year ago I guess. Between the two you should be able to attribute most of the halves rather easily. If you have questions please feel free to post pictures and there are a few here that can help you and show you what to watch for. There is another forum called coinzip.com that is geared towards the BHD's. Most of the members of the bust half nut club hang out there. (some real power hitters so to speak) Good Luck in your hunt and be careful!
Also on almost every variety they have posted some pictures that can help you attribute your coin. Look forward to seeing some pictures.
