1806 Bust Half - Counterfeit?

I, for one, am thrilled at your decision!!! How long does the process take to send it off and get a reply (inquiring minds want to know)!

Bill

 

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ahh, you are right fall guy.

 

My Red Book is on my desk at work, need to take a look tomorrow.


:u*meY:

 

Personally, when I first saw the images I thought it looked counterfeit as well. There's just something that doesn't look right about it (and I understand the variety that was discussed.) I think trying to post a few images of the edge would really help answer your question.

 

As I said hey took the tolerances very seriously back then. EVERY planchet was weighed to make sure it was within the tolerance range, and the planchets were adjusted by hand with a file if they were overweight. Underweight planchets were supposed to be rejected and sent back for remelting. And they might not have had electronic scales, but they had balances that could do down to a quarter grain (.02 grams) and even more precise balances for serious work. So yes they could hold to a .09 gram tolerance.

 

The US Mint took weight tolerance and the production of coinage within the proper range very seriously. Obviously, weights were not done electronically, but they took the time to make certain the coinage was good.

 

I realize we are now having a discussion as to weather this piece is real or a counterfeit and my gut is telling me that it is a real coin that has been dug and is slightly corroded. This can give the piece an odd appearance.

 

:thumb:When it comes to coins like this 95% of the time. I always agree with Frank +Rusty:yes:.
the rev marks @ 8+9 O-clock make me think more a copy?? but there a lot that makes it look real!!
Ngc or Pcgs is the test it must pass not ole eyes like ours.
nice looking coin too for age!!

 

Take a picture of the coin under a different light, or at least not angling it toward the light like you have in your first photo.

You're exaggerating the pitting, making it have that cast counterfeit "look". I stand by my comment of it being genuine.

That die break across the bust's profile would bee difficult to reproduce so accurately on counterfeit dies.

 

Good luck and good choice. I think genuine at this point comparing it to this one at heritage, your would be a later die state. I think it will come back as XF details - at least that is what I hope.

 

United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836 , most like the 3rd edition best but I use the 4th edition and find it very helpful . The author is Donald L. Parsley .

 

aka my Bible

 

Thanks!!

 

The author of this book has always been listed at Overton for Al Overton. Hence, the Overton die marriage system as seen in O.111a where the O is for Overton. Al Overton died decades ago and his son-in-law, Don Parsley, took over the updates. The newest edition (fourth edition) simply lists Parsley as the author and that rubs many folks the wrong way including me.

 

I didn't know that . That does stink . Al Overton does all the hard work , Parsley just adds updates many that are supplied to him by collectors . At least we still use O numbers .

 

I mentioned submitting this bust half to PCGS for authentication, etc. Both PCGS and NGC have Collectors Club/Society offers (PCGS - $129 with 4 complimentary coin gradings; NCG is $125 with five complimentary coin gradings). Both seem like a good deal. Is one TPG better than the other for this sort of analysis?

I did see the CT poll (5/9/2012) that gave both pretty similar preference/acceptance.

Thanks again.

Jonathan

 

Just curious, have you checked the edge for a raised portion, or ridge which goes around the circumference of the coin? I agree that the mint at the time kept very tight tolerances on gold/silver coinage, not so much on copper, so having a coin this underweight does raise a red flag.

 

I think either would serve your needs well , though I hear NGC has better customer relations . But for grading and authentication they're about equal . If all you need is authentication ANACS does a good job also . But I'd stick with PCGS or NGC for their grading .

 

Bill it all depends on what you want to pay , if you take it to a show where they are present you can have it done in a day or less .If you use one of their cheapest tiers it could take as long as a couple months (I think) . If you go to their website I'm sure you could find the different rates and times .