1825 Half Cent - Derogatory word or something else???

There is an oval "O" (0) with a slit in the middle under the word. I wonder what that might represent? Additionally, "Curtis" is six letters and not four.

It might not be a "30." Possibly something else. I'm beginning to understand why coin grading is so difficult for many.

 

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I believe the word is what we think it is. I have a Large Cent where on the reverse, the 'E' in CENT was modified/altered/tooled so that it looks like a different letter, and the reverse no longer says 'ONE CENT', but something else.

I won't show it because I once posted a censored version of it, and it was pulled by the mods, and I was told it doesn't fit the family friendly forum that CT is, so you'll have to use your imagination.

 

My old eyes are nothing to rely on. With that disclaimer out there, I think there are one, possibly two letters to the right of the 'T'. Without having the coin and a magnifying glass in hand I cannot definitively say one way or the other. I truly do not believe it is the derogatory word the OP'er thought it might be though.

 

Exactly what I said. You need to have this coin in hand with a magnifying glass. I still think it’s CURTIS but it’s corroded and a photo just doesn’t cut it. Curtis is a known counter stamp.

 

OMG Collecting Nut!!! I'm excited now! Since you are my mentor, perhaps I should've conversed with you privately before posting it on the forum and there would've been much less confusion and upset folks. So tell me, if it is verified to have the Curtis counter stamp, would that make it worth more or less? Even if it does make it worth less, for me, it's all about the history...I have no intention of selling it. Thank you so very much and I'll keep you updated.

 

Probably more but the condition hasn’t change. Counter stamps are very collectible. It’s too corroded to tell by the photos and I can only say what I see. To me it looks like 2 corroded letters after the “T”. Corrosion on copper is in most cases, very hard to figure out. Don’t get your hopes to high. I just hope I’m correct. Have a great day.

 

Just so you know, I'm not a guy and I'm sorry if I offended you.

 

I just took it out of the flip and over to a well-lit, sunshiny window with my magnifying glass and you are CORRECT!!! I see the other letters now and it definitely has a "30" on it. It has gone from being an embarrassment to being special in just a few minutes time...go figure!

 

As far as I can remember there has NEVER been a woman that has offended me in any way.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the the same in reverse.

Your OP seemed to be a guy trying to be "cute" by playing dumb and innocent about an easily seen word. When someone tells me right off that they are "not trying to be" something...they usually are!

 

I am the OP...and I was being totally genuine with my remarks prefacing my issues with the coin. I suppose I should be extra careful in the future as it is difficult to get your true meaning out when folks don't know you personally and writing is never going to relay sincerity as much as direct conversation. So sorry this all escalated to such a terrible ending. I hope you have a great weekend and please don't avoid me...I really am a nice person.

 

It's a good thing you know a lot about history surrounding numismatics because I couldn't find the Curtis counter stamp anywhere on the web...just other counter stamps.

 

There are so many types...

 

No one here is going to avoid you. Of course you are the OP. "C---" is a normal word spelled the way it is, thus male or female, I assumed you had a basic comprehension of the English language and forgot CT is a world-wide forum. Additionally I see nothing terrible about the ending of this thread. You have an intriguing coin and thanks for sharing it with all of us. It will remain a mystery.

 

Monkey see, Monkey do. [Gets out Dremel and approaches large cents]

 

It seems we initially tend to see what we think we see. The offensive word derives from the Latin word "cuneus" which means a wedge.

 

Lots of discussion about a low grade, heavily corroded half cent with amateurish graffiti.
The usual way that word was imparted onto cents and half cents was by re-engraving the E in CENT. Some dealers actually sell those things, but I wouldn't have one in my collections.

 

I also believe that there are 3 letters between the c and t. Could be a moniker or name. If I am wrong, it is down right disgusting.

 

Uhh, the symbol under the “C”

 

I believe the second letter in the 'bad word' is actually an "a" which has lot a bit of its top over the years. It's my thought that the inscription is "Cant O 30", referring to Canto 30 of Dante's Inferno, where Master Adam was burned at the stake for counterfeiting coins.