1812 Capped bust Half

I have decided upon @jtlee321 lead and one of his last comments that a coin has many a different aspects. His 83'O thread.
I would really like the comments about this coin.
Just a coin that I grabbed from the cabinet.
Three photos of the same coin different diffused 4 way lighting.
different lighting and settings. I use a Cannon with a 50mm lens.

 

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At first, I was thinking environmentally damaged. Seeing the reverse, I question authenticity

 

It appears to be O-104, but I cannot shake the bad feeling I get from this coin.

 

I like the first images the best. To me, they show more detail. Nice surfaces. The rims look a bit rough but that may just be the holder. I'll guess EF-40. Nice coin.
I'll admit, I'm not good enough to spot fakes. The darker images do have me wondering.

 

Genuine O-104. Slightly off-center strike. Edge lettering (like many from this period) extends past the edge giving it the look of rim damage.

I suspect the second set of pics look closest to room lighting in hand.

 

I come up with an O-104a. The difference is the die state correct?
edit: it is missing the die cracks obv.
The second set is the closest to in hand. The coin is very dark.

 

It looks as if you have the start of the reverse crack between A and T on the reverse, but the obverse crack at the date is missing. I'd call it the 104 state, but others might disagree. Both die states are R-1 so there really isn't any reason to care.

 

I hope the first picture is what it looks like in hand

 

Looks like an attractive, original EF-40 to me. I would have no problem owning that coin - I think it is very attractive.

 

I still see a bunch of raised pimples on the upper half of the obverse (kinda looks like die rust), and that still makes me very uncomfortable.

 

Die rust is quite common and perfectly normal. No reason to be alarmed by that.

However, what you are seeing here is a speckled/mottled toning pattern from the way that this coin was stored. It is quite normal, and I've seen and owned several bust halves with this same appearance.

 

Not on the O-104. Plus the “speckles” look raised on the OP coin. The most likely answer is ED.

 

You have me wondering now. When I originally bought the coin, I was pretty confident that this was just an old skin. I have a hard time finding anything but what looks to me as being the end result of years of toning.

After I bought it I took it to local dealer I trust, and he wanted it for his personal collection. I personally don't see anything that says it is ED in any way, Could you clarify?

 

It really depends on what kind of light you have the coin in. The coin has a very thick skin.

 

Authentic, EF-40.

 

I was playing around with some photos, I thought that these might help with the ED. The rusted and pitted die look is most present in these areas on the coin.
The coin does not have a rotation.

 

@okbustchaser is the O-104 supposed to have rusted dies?

 

Yes, O-104.

 

I don't have my notes at work with me, but here's my 104 (about the same die stage) for comparison.

 

I don’t see any rust on your specimen.