On my liberty seated half 1840 w/ reverse of 1838. It's a misstrike the left stars are not there on the obverse (I've been told most likely due to an oil filled die - and that if anything it may increase the value). I'm really bad at coin photography, so keep that in mind, please. Also, the coin in real life shows some of the localized toning dark spots but not nearly as much as the photos show. One other thing, the photos show more overall toning than the coin exhibits. As always TIA. best guesses at value would be appreciated.
Something about that "bird" on the reverse don't look right to me. Not a series that I collect, or for that matter, know much about, but if this item was listed on e-bay I'd definitely pass...... Hope that (unlearned) statement gets some knowledgeable folks to comment.....
I am in rather the same place as Green18, although it is the lettering size on the reverse that worries me. They look more like large letters that began in 1842 than the medium letters shown in Breen's. I will try and find another reference book. Check the date, any sign it might have been changed from a later 40s date? I will also hope a seated half person comes along. No disrespect to your coin. Jim
The reverse is definitely Medium Letters, or Reverse of 1838. The olive branch is noticeably different on the later Large Letters variety; in fact, the Small, Medium, and Large Letters all have distinctly different olive branches. (There's little difference in letter size between medium and large IMO) 1840 Medium Letters halves often come with extensive die cracking. At a first glance, this coin does not appear to have that. However, a search through the Heritage Permanent Auction Archives shows at least one 1840 Medium Letters from the first die marriage that appears to only have a couple of cracks, and while this image isn't as clear as I'd like, it appears that this coin may have cracks in the same places. I'm also curious about the weight of the coin and would like to see a better image of the reverse.
Why does the eagle look so messed up? it doesnt seem to be accurate. IMO. can you report weight, and depth of coin? Would be appreciated. Thanks
The reverse looks different from the reverse on other seated halves largely because it's a holdover reverse from the Reeded Edge "Half Dol" variety. The die was prepared from a completely different hub than the Small Letters 1839-1842 variety and also from the Large Letters variety used from 1842 and subsequently. In fact, the 1840 reverse of 1838 half was struck in New Orleans, and is probably the only coin struck at that mint that can be proven to have been struck without a mintmark.
thanks for all the help and interest guys. I will try to take some better pictures. I will have to find some scales to get the weight.
Just take the coin to any jewelry store. You need the weight in grams to the nearest one hundredth like - x.xx grams.
OK, here's a scan of the reverse as requested (just got a new canon all in one and I figured what the hey, it can't be any worse than my camera skills)... I will take it with me and drop by a jewelry store and get it weighed and report back with that tonight. Any value guesses much appreciated! TIA
sorry for the numerous posts this morning, blame it on 2 cups of java vs. my normal 1. :smile Looking at : http://caimages.collectors.com/coinfacts/large/15310855.jpg my coin does have a couple of those stupid die crack marks. It looks like they may have radiated out from the center of the die. How much does that detract from the value? I'll shut up now.
The die crack marks don't detract from the value at all. They are normal and expected on many coins, including this one. On older coins like this, die cracks are used strictly for authentication and determination of die state. Indeed, your coin was struck from a relatively early state of the reverse die for the year (keep in mind that it was an old die and that they used it until it shattered). With regard to value, I would have more concerns about the strikethru on the obverse than anything else; I think there's a legitimate shot that it would be the kind of error that would detract rather than add to the value of the coin. My 2c -- a legitimate 1840 reverse of 1838 (assuming the weight is right, of course) which is the scarce variety, XF details, possible environmental damage. Best guess of value is $500+, probably $750-1000 if it gets slabbed as problem-free. In addition, this is specifically the kind of coin that the greysheet completely misses the boat on. Their listed values are often absurdly low on better date examples of 19th century type coins. If you sell it to a dealer, make sure that it's someone that specializes in seated or 19th century type coinage and therefore knows what it's worth, rather than someone that takes a look at the sheet and relies strictly on that. Keep in mind that they don't pay me to grade, value, or authenticate coins. However, attributing coins is occasionally part of the job description.
Thanks, swhuck I kinda thought it might pass for XF, glad to see my novice grading skills match my photography skills. How do I go about getting it slabbed? Will that be worth it if I'm considering selling it? Thanks again.
Went to 4 different jewelry stores in my 4 horse town. Two had digital scales but they were only graduated in tenths. 13.3 grams at the first 13.4 grams at the second The third (Kays Jewelers) wouldn't do it, they said they didn't have anything to weigh it with (they had 4 sales associates and two other customers, so I figured they were just too busy). The fourth was long out of business. Do I need to head to Charlotte to find a decent jewelry store, or will this suffice? THANKS IN ADVANCE
The weight seems to be OK, but those missing stars make me suspicious. A grease filled die error from that time period is all but unheard of and would be very unlikely since the oiling was done by hand back then, not by machine. You need to have that coin authenticated.
I've had many dealers interested in this coin, but I'm not going to let it go for 25% of the red book value. Is that pretty normal or do they smell a rookie? TIA
It's your coin, do you want or need to sell it? If not then don't. If they offered only 25% it's probably worth doubled that amount maybe a little more but not 4 x that amount in most cases.
No I don't want to sell it. It was a gift from my father. But I need to sell it. Medical bills out the ying yang.
Okay I understand but for the money it will or (may not) bring and being a gift like that I think I'd try to keep it if I could is all.
