Hey, all. I was given this reeded Capped Bust by my roommate as a graduation gift. She somehow found out about the coin shop I normally visit, and they knew me when she described me, so they picked out some 19th century coins they know I've never looked at and probably don't own (and they were right). Anyway, the obverse is def. worn, and though 'Liberty' is full (but weak), I don't think it falls under the Fine category. Maybe the reverse would grade that, but def. not the front. Any opinions? Here are the photos (they're pretty big files): http://people.brandeis.edu/~jhonn/misc/cappedbustobv.jpg http://people.brandeis.edu/~jhonn/misc/cappedbustrev.jpg Thanks for looking!
And yeah, someone put a very distracting scratch in a very noticeable field on the obv. Boo. :vanish:
Jhonn: I would say, per the ANA grading book, that the obverse is an AG (possibly AG+) and the reverse a Fine. You mentioned the Liberty as full, however, this coin will have a full Liberty even on an AG. Nice coin. Frank PS: Possibly an old cleaning.
Thanks for the input. I would like to think that the obv. would grade at least G, but the stars on the left are worn right into the rim, and that right there is a lot of wear. Still, I'm very pleased with the gift. This is my "new" oldest U.S. coin, beating out the 1841 large cent I bought last week.
Your joking, right. The coin is revolutionary, several years ahead of the Cubist movement in Spain. Ruben
Har, har! YES, I KNOW IT HAS A BIG SCRATCH! BE KIND!! At least it's a well-proportioned scar. Very pre-Cubist, indeed. :mouth:
Nice coin! And if you like the coin just call it is a beauty mark which adds character to the coin. When I get home tonight I will post my 1873 IHC proof which includes "beauty" marks.
I'll go out on a limb and say G-4. You have a room-mate that really thinks alot of you Your a lucky fellow Take Care Ben
Really - this looks like it was done intentionally by someone, as if it was almost a love peice. I thought it was digitally altered in the gimp or something. ruben
The coin has definitely been in too many pockets over the years but I believe that it will new grade at a G-4. A decent gift from a roommate! Does anyone have a book on Capped Bust Half Dollar Varieties to look up and see whether it is the "Small Letters" Variety which is very rare????? Frank
Frank: It is not in Overton, the book ends in 1836. However, it is listed in Breen, and, sorry but this is the large letters. There is a larger space between the H (of Half) and the leaf for the small letters. However, with 3 known on the small letters, it was not too likely.
Ruben: Both of the items that you have circled are a part of the original design. The top one is a part of the curl on the forehead. The other is the clasp that holds the drapery. Frank
Well, it may not be a small-letter variety, but at least it's the first in a new type: the Picasso Capped Bust. I'm very proud of it. This coin is def. going to be a part of my 19th century type set (non-gold). I've got one more to go on my 20th century (which ends at '64). It's funny too, 'cause I was a little annoyed that my room-mate refused to pro-rate my rent this month (I'm leaving right in the middle of the month), and because I had taken care of her dog quite a few times. But, I guess this makes up for it. Def. a very thoughtful gift!
