Bitten by the Bust Half bug

I'm hooked on the Large Cent myself. The entire series of coins from the era 1790's through 1868 are collectable, gorgeous, and can be very expensive! I like yours, thanks for sharing it.

 

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DAMN

 

Overton 105

 

Yep these will put the hook in you. Go get a job if you decide you want high grade.... your gonna need it.

 

One cool thing about Bust Halves is it's not too hard to come by nice ones. I believe the reason for this is, since the US was not minting silver dollars during that time period silver received by depositors at the Mint was by default minted into half dollars, and banks usually had stashes of half dollars.

AFAIK the time period between 1840 and 1853 is the only time silver dollars were popular in circulation. Around 1853 the silver price went up and the US mint did not make the dollar coin any lighter like they did with other Seated denominations, so the silver dollar was once again too valuable to spend and most were exported overseas.

 

Reference?

 

Pretty much just something I've heard discussed on another coin forum. Could be wrong, but I do know that many Seated dollars were exported to the Far East and that the weight of the dollar was left alone in 1853 while the half dime, dime, quarter, and half dollar were all reduced.

 

This is one of the articles I read a few years ago that talks about the history of capped bust half dollars. Interesting read.

https://www.greysheet.com/news/story/monthly-supplement-collecting-capped-bust-half-dollars

 

For the Bust Half collectors, here's a nice group of quality coins recently purchased and for sale from an OH dealer. I've patronized this dealer alot and recommend it.

Nice halves for sale