On another thread, HT asked ".. what else do you have squirreled away?" Not much else, but I do have an interesting early half dollar. Here are my photos: Of course, the 1794 is very rare, and out of the reach of most collectors, including me. The 1795 is much more accessible for a type set. According to Breen, during the spring and summer of 1795, coining continued of 1795 dated halves, using 19 obverse and 22 or 23 reverse dies, for a total of nearly 300,000 pieces. Several different head and eagle device punches were used during the year, the final ones attributed to John Smith Gardner, briefly assistant Engraver. These were used on the Small Heads. These are identified by an extra line under the bust truncation, the shape of the lowest hair curl, and a dot on the reverse below the bow of the ribbon, thought to be Gardner's "signature." Breen states that they are 'prohibitively rare' in VF and above (an appellation which applies to almost anything from this era, where my wallet is concerned!) My Small Head resides in an NCS holder charitably labeled 'fine details' (I think it's VG) 'cleaned.' It does indeed have hairlines from an old, light cleaning. The marks on the reverse which look like scratches are planchet adjustment marks, from the filing down of the planchets to the correct weight before striking, by workers (usually women, according to Breen) in a special room wearing leather aprons. The holder does not note the variety, which is not in the Red Book, either. Harry Laibstain usually has several of these for sale at any given time. I am not sure of the attribution for this one (hint to bust half lovers with reference libraries!)
That was fast! Thanks, Mark. The photos came out a bit dark, I'll have to reshoot them sometime, but of course it's locked up in the sdb. It's more of a gunmetal gray color. I guess I'm a bit surprised that it doesn't have its own redbook entry, given that the curved line under the bust is so easy to spot. On the other hand, if it did, I'd never have been able to afford one!
Glad you mentioned that line under the bust - now I have to check heritage for O-126 and O -127. Becuase the O-110 does not have that line - so I was way off.
Okay - now I believe it is the O-126 (R-4) since the second star is 1 1/2 mm from second curl and star 15 a full mm from the bust. The 110, 126 and 127 all share the same reverse. The first time I through I was only looking at the first star.
Oh, wow!!! All these neat coins showing up. And all coins I need for my type set. I've got one US coin from the 1790's and it's the least expensive variety. It's a 1798 Second Hair one cent. With luck I may get a half cent, also the least expensive variety. But that will be all.
Thanks again, Mark. I agree it's an O-126, My copy of the Stack's Orlando sale from Jan. has both the O-126 and O-127 listed, the former has the lowest hair curl forming a sort of hook shape, on the O-127 (R-6+) the tip of the curl points to the right. Neither one sold in that auction.
If you're looking for an inexpensive 1790s half cent, the two things I'd suggest you keep your eyes open for are 1797 C1 (1 over 1) and 1794 C7, C8, C9 (high-relief hair). They're redbook varieties, and pretty neat ones to boot. The '94 C9 is extremely common, as is the '97 C1. The '94 C7 and C8 are pretty rare, but you're unlikely to be buying them attributed, so no worries there. A number of the 1795s are common enough to pick up readily, but I think the other varieties I listed are more interesting. You should be able to pick up a nice, clean, relatively problem-free VG for $500-$1000 depending on exactly how nice it is and how insane the dealer is. A number of dealers will take a gnarly, corroded copper with, say, VF details, get it slabbed VF details, and then try to sell it for F+-to-VF money. Someone must be buying them. Anyways, avoid these guys. In fact, if you ever decide you're in the market for a nice early half cent, let me know. I might be able to put you in contact with someone.
I've got a good, nationally known large cent dealer that I will probably buy from. I got my 1798 cent from him. Since the half cent will be for my type set I'll be looking for an XF, but may have to settle for a VF. Depends on the price. For the half cent the least expensive varieties seem to be dated 1795 and 1797. I'm thinking $3000-3500. I'd probably buy at the Baltimore Whitman show in June if he's there. When I touched base with him at the March show he wasn't sure about Baltimore in June. I know another dealer of early copper, but he doesn't slab his AND is reputed to overgrade. And there's a third that I'll have to check into. Just as an FYI, here's my 1798 cent. This is the type of coin I'd be looking for:
Well, with that kind of budget you should be able to get a decent XF or exceptionally attractive VF. A reputable dealer in early copper is your best bet for ready availability, though if you want slabbed there aren't many dealers I can think of off the top of my head that would have that sort of material handy and in a slab. In fact, only one comes to mind - and he's a half cent guy to boot. The others probably have the material, it's just raw and you'd have to arrange to get it slabbed. If I can help just PM me. BTW, I like your '98.
As Mark says, no matter what kind of holder that 1795 half is in, it is a very nice and appealing coin! And, in spite of what the holder may say, this coin does not appear to me to be obviously cleaned. Reading this, i checked the variety on my 1794 half cent. Yep, it's a C9....
That's a great coin you have there, Kanga! I think I need some more education before I venture into that difficult area. Eduard, thanks for your comments. The coin has had a light cleaning at some point, maybe with rouge, the hairlines are light but there. I'm just glad it made it 200+ years without getting melted or flattened with a hammer!
The C9 is a neat variety. Even though it's one of the two most-common 1794s, that isn't saying much. I'd be proud to show mine off, but I don't have one.
