1838 Bust Half Dollar - Your opinion?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by BostonCoins, Feb 22, 2017.

  1. BostonCoins

    BostonCoins Well-Known Member

    I've been looking to pick up a few bust half dollars on a lower budget. I came across this coin on EBay, and I can't quite tell what I'm seeing on this coin.

    Am I seeing a cast fake, or a coin that was chemically cleaned badly? If you look in the open area on the obverse, you'll clearly see what looks like pitting. If you look at the bust head, the color doesn't seem right.

    Your thoughts? This a questionable one, or just an overly cleaned one?

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. mikenoodle

    mikenoodle The Village Idiot Supporter

    The detail of the coin is sharp and therefore to see surfaces that look almost corroded definitely sends up a red flag for me.

    this is not to say that it is not genuine, but certainly that for a coin with this kind of detail, I would expect to see original Mint luster.
     
  4. Paddy54

    Paddy54 Well-Known Member

    Fake cast you can see the how grainy it looks, bet doesn't weight either.
    Do not pull the trigger on this one!

    One must ask themselves how can a coin with this much damage have such details on the high points?
    Everywhere you would expect to see wear it isn't ...... stars, pin, Hair etc...
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2017
  5. SchwaVB57

    SchwaVB57 Well-Known Member

    I vote fake. I could be wrong. Fairly common date.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2017
  6. baseball21

    baseball21 Well-Known Member

    Could be, bad scans can give that look too though if that isn't an actual picture
     
  7. ksparrow

    ksparrow Coin Hoarder Supporter

    I think it's genuine but harshly treated to remove corrosion or something. It looks terrible and I wouldn't go near it.
     
    C-B-D likes this.
  8. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    Life is too short to throw away money on something like that.
     
  9. lkeigwin

    lkeigwin Well-Known Member

    1839 was the last year of the CBH series, not 1838.

    This one looks genuine but with some surface corrosion. And not nearly worth the dealer's asking price ($570). You can do A LOT better for that much money.
    Lance.
     
    C-B-D likes this.
  10. SchwaVB57

    SchwaVB57 Well-Known Member

    Thank you for correcting my response. I looked at the date incorrect in the Red Book.
     
  11. BostonCoins

    BostonCoins Well-Known Member

    Thanks for your input everyone. My gut is telling me something is off about this coin. I will definitely pass.

    Where I'm no expert in this series, and my budget forces me to look for raw examples, I know I'm going to find a lot of fakes. Just trying to educate myself before pulling the trigger to purchase one of these!!
     
  12. lkeigwin

    lkeigwin Well-Known Member

    No worries, SchwaVB57. Easy slip-up because the seated series began the same year the bust half ended.

    BostonCoins - are you looking for a reeded edge half dollar or a lettered edge? Although they're both lumped together as capped bust halves there are significant differences.

    Dies for the earlier lettered edge coins had a lot of hand engraving (necessary for screw presses), making each die visibly different and, hence, strong interest in die marriage collecting.

    Reeded edge halves were produced with much stronger steam presses, allowing hubs to be fully engraved and the coins well impressed. Only minute differences among dies.

    Maybe an example of each type?
    Lance.
     
  13. BostonCoins

    BostonCoins Well-Known Member

    I honestly am not looking for a specific edge design, nor a particular year.

    I am a late-rebloomer who is restating my collection. Over the past 5 years, I've purchased coins as types, kinda like building my own 7070 set. I've concentrated mostly on early large copper, but have always wanted to own some good bust examples of each denomination.

    Based on a lower budget, and no need for certification, which design do you recommend? Is one more affordable than another in VG+ grades?
     
  14. lkeigwin

    lkeigwin Well-Known Member

    The earlier bust halves are much more in demand than the later years. Lots of collectors draw the line at 1836, the last year of the screw press for bust halves and the quirky coins from hand engraved dies and Mint foibles (like overdates and punching blunders).

    Some "snobs" draw the line even earlier, around 1822.

    This is not to say the later reeded edge coins (1836-39) have no following. Many collectors like the revised design and the nicely struck appearance.

    I would recommend you buy the earliest year you can...more desirable as an example of what the Mint was first producing. For $200-300 you can have a problem-free 1810-1819, let's say, in VF30 or better, especially if you're okay with raw.
    Lance.
     
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  15. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

  16. BostonCoins

    BostonCoins Well-Known Member

    Lol @Treashunt . Fairly certain football season is over... and as a New England naitive... it was a GREAT season!
     
  17. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    This coin is absolutely genuine, but I believe it was corroded and harshly cleaned to remove the (probably black) corrosion.
     
    BostonCoins likes this.
  18. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank


    now, I REALLY don't like you!


    :bag:
     
    BostonCoins likes this.
  19. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    This coin is genuine. It was either damaged by an acid cleaning, or it was dug from the ground (corroded while it was there) and was subsequently harshly cleaned.
     
    BostonCoins and C-B-D like this.
  20. SchwaVB57

    SchwaVB57 Well-Known Member

    I said I could be wrong. Without the coin in hand I would not take a chance on it from the picture.
     
  21. ilmcoins

    ilmcoins Well-Known Member

    Appears genuine to me! But, I would save and purchase only a graded coin through eBay.
     
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