1833 Half Dime Rare Variety?

The following is long-winded and I apologize in advance for the esoterica regarding the attribution and die state of this half-dime.

@Paddy54, I have to respectfully disagree with an attribution of LM-5 but please know in advance that I can be persuaded as I do not claim to be an expert. Here's what I think the coin is. The OP's picture clearly shows that the reverse is Reverse T and probably the ninth or eleventh use which would make it either LM-3.3 or 3.4. I have taken the OP's photo and superimposed the lines that show:

- S2S-6/Right edge of E2 in line with left edge of S.
- SB-5/Scroll begins under left edge of serif of E1.
- SE-5/Scroll ends under center of M.
- Both top loops of S1 and S2 are filled.



I have shown a photo of a 1833 LM-3.4 that was recently sold and it is pretty clear that the reverse is Reverse T.



Reverse P is SBS-2, SB-1 and SE-3 and below is a photo from the same sale showing a LM-10 the uses the same Reverse P as the LM-5. You can readily see that it looks nothing like the OP's photo.



Now, where I'm having some difficulty is with the obverse of the OP's photo'ed coin. From the photo I cannot see the doubling of Star 6. But going to the website for the date and S13 positions for 1833 Obverses 1, 2, and 3 (shown below), and comparing it to the OP's coin, it is pretty clearly the Obverse 2. Plus, we can see the die chip that has formed in the lower loop of 8. So, my conclusion is that this is the LM-3.4. Logan-McCloskey calls that an R-2, and other resources call it an R-2.

So, I'm back to where I started on this coin: I cannot see what is causing the bidders to pay so much?

 

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That’s awesome sounds like he needs to make a merch line because I definitely would be buying one of those lol. If you upload pictures please let me know would love to see.

 

No doupt your correct ,and to be honest ..my attribution was done quickly, and more so just by eyeing it up.....I've very been busy around the house back and forth off and on line , I'm no expert here either also human subject to error my bad. Thanks for the correction.

 

So there is no reason the coin that went for 1180$ should have gone that high?

 

Not that I can determine. It's a low-grade coin and it's not a rare die marriage or die state. Unless I am way off in my attribution, and I don't think I am, I can only guess that one or more people saw something that's not there and it resulted in a bidding frenzy. I've seen it happen before, most recently with a 1930 SLQ that I posted about last week.

BTW, the coin you actually bought for $120 is much nicer in your photographs than in the seller's and despite some obverse chatter is a nice looking coin. I think you did OK there.

 

It doesn't make sense.....unless again a quick attribution, and mistakenly believed as I did...and to be honest in the back of my head saying the high bid is due to the rareity.
But again ive noticed a increase no matter grade in these....the seated hasn't been as bad price wise....not that I've noticed. Yet

 

Well hopefully they didn’t waste to much money because if it’s not a rare variety that just made the seller very happy LOL. Thank you! I thought so as well. When I pulled it out if it’s envelope I was shocked because his pictures did not show any of the colorful toning or even the dark patina, I went back to check the auction I did like it was 125$. I still think that’s not to bad.

 

I think the coolest score I’ve gotten on the seated h10s was a 1838 no drapery small stars but wasn’t listed as so and I don’t think anyone else caught it because I got it for 90$ and when it sold I believe it was in the mid 400$ mark. I’d say it was AU50-58

 

See this is an issue as one can only use the reference at hand. I am on the hunt for two books out of print. Seated I have valentine and Kevin Flynn book on seated.
I use the site as its easy ,free, and there isn't alot out there....
Im not the type to split hairs unless we are talking moon money....and I dont spend moon money. lol....but unlike other series where the references are plenty this series you take what you can get.
I sat down the other day with both boxes of h 10's i have two double slab boxes filled with
Slabs. I went though as I was attributioning the 38 ddo's on repunched stars.
I was surprised that I have like 6 38's and by luck theres 9 ddo's and None of mine were doubles!
But then went though as time allowed to check for other varieties. I was pleased to realize
That I had a lot more varieties then I remembered.
I have so many varieties on like 5 series that I collect. I have gone through my collection and sold off items that were no longer important to me or interest lost.
I will say That I do need to make time to go through all and make sure everything is cataloged properly. Example in my IHC the 1873 ddo in xf thats like a 2k coin in an album not a slab.
So I definitely need to go though my Indian heads and catalog all the varieties which like 9 are plate coins.

 

This 1832 was the last cap bust h 10 I purchased a few weeks ago...I paid under a 100.

 

Now I'm going to give away a secret an easy cherrypick....the 1834 3 over inverted 3 variety half dime
Is an easy pick...here why....
This specimen as well a few others now on the bay, that may be better in grade but I chose this one as it isnt dark.
The 34 inverted 3/3 can be picked by one look....no studying the coin no need to attribute its as easy as looking at the date. Notice the 8 the bottom loop is just about filled....sort of looks like soder drop in the lower loop....find a 1834 and the 8 lower loop is filled....bingo you found the variety!
I just went to ebay pulled this image...and there's more that the seller has listed not knowing he left meat on the bone!

Look close at the 3 see the little line in the 3 thats it..... of course the better condition you can see the inverted 3 much better.

 

What two books are you seeking?

For half dimes, the references I have in addition to the CBHD website we both use:

- Valentine, the 1975 publication by Quarterman with additional material by Jules Revier, Walter Breen, David J. Davis, Kamal M. Ahwash, Harold P. Newlin, Will W. Neil.
- Logan/McCloskey
- Liberty Seated - Books by Kevin Flynn and Al Blythe.
- Whitman books on Liberty Seated coinage (no good at all for die marriages).

Finally, there is a link on the Liberty Seated Collectors Club website to a work-in-progress on LS half dimes by Clint Cummins. Link below:

https://sites.google.com/view/clintcummins/half-dime-attribution-guide.

 

@AirborneReams

 

This one.....funny story that wasnt funny I purchased 1 on line however they used the h 10 image but had the dime book. And of course no returns! A buddy did by it from me as he knew they dont surface to easy.

 

Oh Clint and I are good friends....yes he taking over since Mr. Halfdime passed.
I sent this one to Clint to scope out and add to the book.
Clint sent me other images I cannot find at present....but yeah this mark had us going as to what caused it.

 

Oh the L & M book also out of print surfaces up for sale at times but you need to pounce on it.
Valentine I use but only because I have learned to read and study...as the plate coins images are horrible to read.

 

This is good info, I went ahead and hoped on the bay and checked for these being sold not listed as this variety and it’s surprising how many there are, now just have to find a nice grade one listed well under its worth and try to grab it before any of you eagle eye guys do lol.

 

I will be checking these books out.

 

A couple books from my Library. (I have a bad habit of buying reference books even if I only have a couple of pieces)

 

In any event, nice coin, I like it. Thanks for sharing, good luck.