Things are slow enough that I have found the time to start looking at die varieties. Using Breen's half cent book I found it easy enough to do my Classic Head half cent set. So I pulled down the Logan & McCloskey book on half dimes intending to do the same thing with my Draped Bust half dime set. Oops! A considerably more complex task. (I ran into the same problem doing Morgan VAM's. I put that project on hold.) Is there anyone here that has gotten that deeply into Draped Bust half dimes? I could use some help.
Pictures would help. It really isn't that bad, there are only something like 17 varieties for the entire series. What book are you using for the attribututions? The Valentine book is much more difficult to use than the Logan-McCloskey book, but it is easier to find. About half of the varieties are pictured on Coinfacts.
Sorry, this is a mistake I continually make. I attribute it to old age and too many collections. I'm talking about Capped Bust half dimes, not Draped Bust. I have images but I'm going to do them again because they are too small when it comes to ID'ing some characteristics, particularly with the stars. Plus they are all in slabs and that often covers the dentils which are significant with respect to the stars. I figure with larger images I can print the pictures then draw lines all over them for star orientations, distances, etc.
Here's the 1829. Let me know if you think you can work with these. If not, I'll start the re-imaging process.
Hmmmmmmm, I think I can get them slightly larger. These are my first images posted in the new CoinTalk. It's a bit different. The "Insert Image" option resized them. http://www.dcderoo.com/10hf-1829-AU50o.jpg http://www.dcderoo.com/10hf-1829-AU50r.jpg
This appears to be Reverse Die "F", which means it is either LM-9, 10, 11, or 12. If so, that's good news for you; all are scarce. Before we figure out the obverse die, let's seal the deal on the reverse die. Take a close look at the CA in AMERICA. Do you see a thin line between the C and the A, parallel with the upper serif of "C" ?
Better images. And I polished the slabs (Novus). And the answer to your question is "Yes, the mark is there." Here's three images of that area (different lighting angles): http://www.dcderoo.com/Dsc_0007-DieMark.jpg http://www.dcderoo.com/Dsc_0005-DieMark.jpg http://www.dcderoo.com/Dsc_0002-DieMark.jpg And finally a much closer image of the obverse. I'll try to ID the LM- variety based on the the Reverse Die F. http://www.dcderoo.com/10hf-1829-0.jpg
I've got it pegged as LM-11. Assuming I'm correct the L&M book references a B&M auction 1/90:116. Is that January 1990, Lot 116? Can I find that listing on the B&M site (I'm going over to look)? BTW my coin is graded PCGS AU-50. Just checked B&M and their online records only go back to 2002. That's a no-go for a 1990 auction.
I've visited the Half-Dimes.com Bust Forum and have created a login. Now I'm waiting for the administrator's approval so that I can post. I've got 15 of the 17 Red Book listed varieties. And of course I have the L&M book. With some help I may get through this.
Since I paid about $220 for this coin, IF it's ID'ed correctly, sending it back for attribution seems reasonable.
This is a happy day for you ! That's an r.6 . Dick Osburn, king of Early Silver, has only one 29LM11 in stock - an F12/VF20 listed for $495. I suppose it's not a bad idea to submit it for attribution, so the LM number appears on the slab. However, I must say it's very expensive and slow. More importantly, there are very, very few collector / specialists for a coin like this, and they are certainly the type to personally verify attribution before purchase, even if attributed by a TPG. They are quite unlikely to trust TPG attribution. For those reasons, TPG attribution on this coin is of dubious value. I wouldn't bother with it myself. TPG attribution is most useful on Sheldon and Overton varieties since there are so many collectors of Early Date large cents and Capped Bust halves by die variety.
Thanks, Marshall ! Normally, one might say "2006 is too long ago; that data point is obsolete" but things change slowly in such a specialized area as LM CB half dime die varieties. I think the 2006 data point is probably pretty valid.
I'm trying to track down the 1990 results too, but they don't go that far back on the B&M site. So I have to learn about "other sources". I may try the ANA library. I'll try and get some use out of my dues.
Just got back here again, looked at the images and I came up with LM-11. That was before I read the rest of the thread so no bias. Congratulations. R-6's don't come along every day.
