Guess the Grade on my new Bust Half Overdate

Do you agree with the grade?

 

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At first so thought a 45 but after looking closely I'm thinking a 40. The clasp is clear and distinct but the hair curls are worn. I did not know if an overdate for this year. I just know about large and small letters and dates on this coin.

 

It's very nice and I like it a lot. I'd most certainly want it in my collection. Not sure I agree with the grade but I'm glad it's that high. I do see nothing about an overdate so can you please explain.

 

I guess, strictly speaking, it isn't an overdate. This is the O-106, 4/4. So, I guess it would be more accurately called a Repunched Date (RPD).

http://maibockaddict.com/1834-o-106-r1-capped-bust-half-dollar.shtml

 

Very nice and thank you.

 

Bust halves in this range are really hard to read from photos considering strike anomalies and the prevalence of luster and color going way down the grade scale. You can see the strength of the luster better in the slab shot- I’m guessing tilting under a light source in-hand most wouldn’t be saying XF. Great coin

 

I DO! Beautiful presentation!

 

You are evil

 

From the slab image, I can agree with 55. Pretty coin.

 

I think my 58 should get honorable mention.

Steve

 

To be honest, no. I think she maxes out at 53. There is a lot of luster missing. I would prefer this one at 50.

 

It is lacking in detail due to strike, not wear. Pretty piece, and CAC agreed.

 

Yes this variety was weakly struck, but the lack of luster is what is important here. It indicates significant circulation wear. That is key for grading in the AU range

 

It was graded 55+ because it has great eye appeal and some remaining luster, however there’s too much wear to grade it that high. AU50 would have been more appropriate.

 

Here is a better PCGS graded AU58: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1834-CAPPE...496326?hash=item365a511186:g:DasAAOSw-qleANLr
Would you use a rim comparison to partially determine quality?

 

Can you explain what you mean by this?

 

Exactly, even though it looks EF.

 

Not sure what you mean, but I don’t want to compare an 1834 (sub-design 9) with an 1836 (sub-design 10) Bustie. Strike can vary already from one variety to another, and even more when comparing coins from different years.

 

Mail me the coin and I'll tell you. Seriously. Not that I actually expect you to mail me your coin, but that I'd have to look at it in hand to tell you for sure if I agree with the grade. Bust halves are frequently deceiving in photos.

 

This is one of the biggest problems I have with the PCGS photograde app. It is generally quite good - but they have a whole mix of sub-types in there. They really should have a separate grading guide for each sub-type (although I do realize that would be a lot more difficult). One of the unique challenges of Bust Halves is the significant difference between subtypes, and even between Os.