1861-O 50 cent CSA? bisected date?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Stewey99, Sep 13, 2020.

  1. Stewey99

    Stewey99 New Member

    Still playing with my new microscope. I bought this coin at an estate auction, thought it looked neat. After studying it, it looks like it have a die crack on the edge of the six. I've seen some stuff online that suggests this could be a CSA variety? The other thing about this coin is the oily sheen on it - someone much smarter than me said its an altered surface and was colored or otherwise treated. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas from my pictures. If it is a CSA die crack is it possibly a fake? thanks

    S20200913_0011.jpg S20200913_0012.jpg S20200913_0013.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 13, 2020
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  3. Penna_Boy

    Penna_Boy Just a nobody from the past

    I've seen many 1861 O Half Dollars in my search for Civil War coins and money. Even if I was absolutely sure it was the CSA variety I would send it to NGC or PCGS for two reasons. One to have a professional verify it and two because the value would really increase. You will see many on EBay but very few with the CSA designation by a TPG. As to being treated with a chemical again I recommend a TPG look it over. That's just my take on this and I'm sure some others can be helpful. Either way I wish you good luck with it.
     
  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Sharp coin. I took the liberty of changing your images to full size. Hope you don't mind.

    I'd be interested to know how they distinguish the 1861-O varieties by which minting authority (USA, LA, CSA) struck them.

    Here is one I picked up this year. Not nearly so high grade as yours, but I like it for a nice wholesome circ example.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Stewey99

    Stewey99 New Member

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  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Thank you for that link. I'm not sure if I previously thought to check CoinFacts or not.

    As to sizing your images, there is an option you can select when you're making your post, right after you upload the images. Look for it. Maybe try to post an image in your next reply.

    If you don't select full size, it defaults to thumbnail.

    (I'd give you a screenshot, but that's challenging on my phone.)
     
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  7. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    That sure looks like the w 13 bisected date speared olive bud to me
     
  8. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    558C18F7-85D0-4E1B-8D2A-B68F319C4958.jpeg Here’s one I had to compare
     
  9. Stewey99

    Stewey99 New Member

    Here's the best I can do on trying to photo the olive. I don't see a spear but is my resolution too poor? S20200914_0001.jpg
     
  10. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    Looks like the bisected date to me as well.
     
  11. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    It is the bisected date and that die was only used by the CSA.
     
  12. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    Just out of curiosity, how do we know that?
     
  13. Penna_Boy

    Penna_Boy Just a nobody from the past

    +1
     
  14. Bilbo1

    Bilbo1 Member

    The CSA Obverse has a die crack from the rim right of Star 7 to Liberty’s nose. Bisected date a second CSA variety?
     
  15. Stewey99

    Stewey99 New Member

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  16. Jersey magic man

    Jersey magic man Supporter! Supporter

     
  17. CaptHenway

    CaptHenway Survivor

    Interesting. I do not recall ever handling a piece with the die crack through the date like that. If PCGS will recognize it as a CSA strike, then I recommend that you get it certified as such.
     
  18. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    There are seven die combinations that were used by the Confederacy (six with Union dies one with the Confederate reverse) W-9 thru W-15. There were two marriages struck by the Union W-1 & 2, and 6 struck by the State of Louisiana W-3 thru W-8. The bisected date is obv number 6 and was used on varieties W-13 & 14. I don't know if I can post this here but this is the die pairing chart for the 1861-O halves.
    upload_2020-9-15_13-24-30.png

    From the reverse image that Stewey99 posted it does appear to be the speared olive rev which makes it W-14.
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2020
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  19. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Go to the Newman Numismatic Portal, under Periodicals search for The Gobrecht Journal. Year 2005, then issue 94, then for year 2006 issue 97. Isue 94 identifies the varieties and assigns them to the different issuing authorities, issue 97 goes into more detail about how the the assignments were made and some verification.

    For more information on verities of seated half dollars you need the books by Bill Bugert. So far there are five volumes published Volume 1 on all of the San Francisco issues, Volume II on the Carson City issues, Volumes III and IV on the New Orleans issues, and Volume V on the first half of the Philadelphia issues (Volume 6 is yet to com). Bill has very generously but volumes I though IV online for free download. They can be found here
    http://www.lsccweb.org/BillBugertBooks/BillBugertBooks.php

    Yes I know it is a link, and not even a secure one, but it goes through the Liberty Seated Collectors Club website and I have not had any problems with it.
     
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  20. Stewey99

    Stewey99 New Member

    Thank you to everyone for the information. I'm sending it in to PCGS and whenever it comes back I'll post what they say.
     
  21. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    When you send it be sure to identify it on the invoice as Bisected Date W-14 CSA issue. They might even put it on the label. You might have to pay for variety confirmation. if you don't it may just come back as a generic 1861-O.
     
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