Anybody out there a specialist at determining capped bust half varieties? I don't have a copy of the Overton book, and recently dug this 1832 half out of the ground (literally, 5" deep on an old trail near my home). The only cleaning done was a warm water soak and ultrasonic to get most of the dirt stuck off. It looks as good as the 1950's silver I've dug out of the dirt. Greg
Something about the hair just bugs me - probably just the lighting on the coin. Looks to have AU details. Nice coin - but still I don't know if it is the shadows or what, but for some reason the hair just looks off.
Forgot to mention this, don't know it if affects the identification or not. The edge writing says FIFTY CENTS OR ALF A DOLLAR with the "H" in Half missing. I can see some reeded edge between the words. Thanks for the O-103, Jim! Attached is another picture of the obverse, taken with a flash. The flash accentuates the scratches but shows more hair details. - Greg
I understand that the partial reeding between the letters on the edge is useful in determining the emission sequence.
Very nice find, but it looks harshly cleaned to me, especially with the newer photo. Was that a result of the ultrasonic(I'm not sure what that method is exactly)?
The coin came out of the ground pretty shiny, literally the only cleaning was to get the "dirt" off, I don't believe the coin was visible toned at all. If it didn't come out of the woods 5" down I would have thought somebody dropped it yesterday - I kid you not. The ultrasonic cleaner I have is just a vibrating basin, and I used hot water only. No cleaners in it. The coin does look like it has some abrasion on it that looks like rubbing or maybe somebody tried to shine it up, but it certainly wasn't me. *heh* Greg
I don't believe the edge lettering adds any premium - or at least none that I am aware of. You can see hairlines on the coin with the new picture but it removes the doubt I had about the coin and it is still a nice find.
