Now I have a dollar, half dollar, and quarter in my DB set; I finally found a dime I liked at a reasonable price. It has a nice patina of gray-bronze, with a little sparkle on the reverse. The straight overhead lit images make it look a bit dull, so I also made axial images that show more of the details and color (and a barely visible (in hand) toned in light scratch on the bust. The capped bust, heraldic eagle design was a Robert Scot design; there are 2 major varieties for 1805, the more common 4 berries, cross-array stars variety (this coin) and the 5 berries, arc-array stars. The reverse on this coin is rotated almost 30 degrees clockwise. As always, comments- positive or constructively critical, are welcome. standard images, overhead lighting: axial light images:
p.s. the axial light shots, while pretty darn nice, show the shortcoming of this technique (loss of contrast) I alluded to in this thread: http://www.cointalk.com/t106456/
I agree with the loss of contrast (when used with slabbed coins) but it still brings out the color and fine detail without a much more costly setup. It's nice to produce a work of art if you can, but I am happy if I can convey most of the information in the coin.
Congrats ! Tough type . For many many advanced collectors, the DB 10c hole is empty much longer than most.
I now have the attrib book (very hard to find) I'll attribute it if you PM me to remind you. Same for everyone... Most of you with early dimes- capped bust as well as draped - don't know the attrib. They're "raw" in that sense. Gimmee photos of your dimes. I'll attrib for ya. Ricky b
I had longed for one in Fine, but a decent coin, uncleaned, without sig. marks, would run at least $1200. I was happy to find this one, with a legible date and original surfaces, for $300 (with shipping). The seller said he paid $350 for it.
For anyone interested : "Early United States Dimes 1796-1837" by Davis, Logan, Lovejoy, McCloskey, and Subjack.
Anyone wants one, I might can get you one. MOVE FAST. I had never seen one until EAC / JRCS. There were FIVE (unheard of) and three were gone in minutes. PM. I can't guarantee there are more around. Ricky B
I have several copies and two deluxe versions available if any needs one. Aside from attributions both the 10c and H10c books have some great intro information on the workings of the early mint.
Yes, it's JR-2 r.2. The only other 1805, JR-1, is r.3. (5 berries). Another cool distinguishing feature is the arrangement of stars. On this coin, they are arranged in straight lines of 3 coins; on JR-1 they are arced. A single obverse die served two reverse dies to make two vars. That means all 1805s came from the same obverse die. Riddle me this, Batman... if all are from the same obverse die, does that mean there are no diagnostics on the obverse of the coins ? Put another way.... of what use is the obverse when attributing these coins ? :loud: :vanish:
Ed Price is an incredible researcher who has gone beyond The Early Dime Book in his study of DBD's, along with his research on Early Quarter Eagles. I don't know if he plans on doing a book someday or not...but, he I believe he authored an early JRJ article on the 1805 DBD obverse...I think reverse 2 of the 1805 DBD was remarried to several early quarter eagles.
It is a nice coin, Kaz, and I think you did well. Now you have your draped bust set complete. The early U.S issues are, in my opinion, so much more interesting than the later issues. (I am still chasing a small-eagle half dime........it will be a looong while before I am able to get one i am afraid).
I know what you mean, Eduard, the small eagles are incredibly hard to find in both an affordable and decent/original state. One of my dream coins is the draped bust dollar/small eagle reverse.
