Opines on Capped Bust Variety

Thanks McBlzr. Sometime this week I will order a book. I had to go back and look in my grading book to see if I missed the Overton numbers by mistake. But, there are none listed. The reference, Overton, Al C. Early Half-Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836, Colorado Springs, CO, 1990, was cited and I just didn't even go look for it. I believe I read somewhere that this book is difficult to find. There is a more recent book by Peterson, Glenn R., The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars, Rocky River, OH, 2000, that had also been cited in the grading book.

I was looking at some registry sets on PCGS last night and very few of those have Overton numbers listed on the label. Is the "O" number irrelevant to the value of the coin? The coins I did see with an "O" number were high grade coins. Do some of the die varieties not show on a worn coin?

I have developed a love/hate relationship with this hobby. I love collecting coins. I hate not knowing all the nuances.

 

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The Overton # (O #) relates to the variety-- ie die marriage.

It has nothing to say about the rarity, that is a separate determination.

 

gronnh20, as Treashunt above says the Overton numbers assigned to bust halves refer to the individual dies used to press the coins. Each year the numbers start over with the new (and sometimes previously used older dies). For example, your coin would be attributed as O-104. This means that it is a combination of obverse die 3 for the year and reverse die D.

Where it gets a little more complicated is the fact that O numbers are not related to the chronological order that the dies were used. Again, using your coin, the 104 was actually the 11th die marriage produced for the year.

 

Thanks for that information @okbustchaser. Is the missing "LURI" in the motto one of the markers for that O#? I haven't ordered a book yet. Today I am. Hopefully I can maybe even find one local.

Collecting Bust type coins is going to me more challenging and fun than my Kennedy collecting is. For sure more expensive. For some reason we have another coin show here locally next month. It had been every three months with the big one in December. Fine with me I like going to the shows. So I have a month to gear up for that. I haven't started traveling to shows, but, that may be on the horizon. Thanks to everyone that has helped me get a better understanding on the collection of the Bust.

 

Don't know if you can find a copy locally, but the Overton/Parsley book is available from Rich Ulhrich http://www.richuhrichcoins.com/category.php?cat=18
or Sheridan Downey http://www.sheridanscoins.com/. It also shows up on Ebay fairly regularly.

The Peterson book has been out of print for several years, but does sometimes show up. If you see a copy offered it is well worth getting as well.

 

Finding a book was not easy. I went to the LCS he didn't have any. He said I could come in and use his. But, I need it for reference and my own copy. I did find a book from a coin supply on-line.

The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars
SKU: 10800
Author / Editor: Dr. Glenn R. Peterson MD
ISBN 10: 1-886852-12-X

 

Good job tracking down a copy of Dr Peterson's book. Many people find it much easier to use than the Overton/Parsley book.

Another book you (and anyone else with an interest in CBHs) might want to look into acquiring is "Bust Half Fever" by Edgar Souders. Not an attribution book, but excellent content on the series and the early mint. Again, kinda hard to find, but well worth the effort.

From a review on the NGC boards...

"Bust Half Fever" provides a tremendous amount of information that fills in the gaps of the other two books. The book is easy to read, well organized and brimming with stories gathered from Ed's decades of collecting and research.

A new collector or one who would simply like to know more about the early days of the mint should have this book in their collection. The first chapter is an excellent introduction to the craftsmanship and technology that went into the making of CBH dies.

Chapter two stresses the importance of grading and why one must learn to do this for himself and not rely on someone else's opinion. Here is where Ed's experience shines through.

In chapter three he warns of altered, cleaned or repaired CBH coins and how to detect them. Souder stresses the importance or using a hand-held 30X microscope when inspecting these coins for die varieties and possible cleaning or whizzing. I followed his advice and purchased one. Amazing how much detail one sees at this magnification.

Chapter four discusses toning and artificial toning, a topic of considerable interest on these boards.

Chapter five helps one prepare a realistic road map for collecting these beautiful ladies.

The rest of the book covers CBH's by year, then by overdate varieties. For each year we learn the published mintage and Ed's comments on how accurate that may be. He lists the mintage ranking within the series. A year date with number of dies used is given for each calendar year. Any changes in design are duly noted. Souder gives his overall rarity classifications by grade. He discusses the typical strike and why it might be that way for that particular year. Collector appreciation covers how the coin might fair in value in the coming years. A delightful feature found in each year is something on either the history at the time, anecdotes about the mint, information on people, suggestions on storing coins and many, many other topics that makes the book both interesting and enjoyable to read from cover to cover.
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I looked for that one also. It seems to be elusive at the moment. It doesn't help when folks change his name from Souder to Saunder, either. I found a couple listed like that, still, the correct book.

 

Love these half dollars- mine are not certified- not planning on selling- just enjoying putting collection together!!!

 

Nothing like making the numbering system easy and logical!

 

There will be a pop quiz on Monday. If you need a tutor we can send Janet Yellen.

 

I have Bust Half Fever and the fifth edition of the United States Early Half Dollar Die Varities books. I plan to get into CBH's but learning the Overton's could be quite like going back to school!

 

Nah, don't 'learn' them.

Use the book, I do.

 

Agreed as here is an 1819/8 I picked up under $170. a Xf. coin but a nice variety.

 

and one more I picked up for$ 140. 1818/7 and yes it's been cleaned but for the price and variety I was very pleased.

 

I got my book in today. It even has pictures. Coin show is in 3 weeks.

Nice coins Paddy54.

View attachment 392709

 

How did you figure this out from my bad photography? You're right, but, there had to be more markers or you have seen a lot of these. From my photos the obverse marker isn't visible. And you can barely make out the reverse marker. I mean if its a trade secret than that's ok.

 

I received my book today. Coin show in 3 weeks.

 

No secret. Just knowledge that there were only a few reverse dies for the year where the T and I would have lined up the way they do (or would if visible) on yours. Then the die line on the upper berry through the pair of leaves makes it only one possibility.

Of course, 40+ years of specializing in CBHs helps.