Picked it up a month or so ago with a BIN on Ebay. IMHO, this is a lightly struck AUish coin which according to the BHNC scale has a 'Rarity Rating' of R-3. It's one of the key (BHD) coins for the year 1810. What would you grade it? Grab em' while you can, the prices are only going up... Take Care Ben
I would say XF45 - mainly because I can't tell weak strike versus wear on the coin. Looking at some AU coins on heritage - they seem to have a few more details(or are they stronger strike). Which picture better reflects the coins color? Nice coin! I have been trying to keep my new ones between f and vf since they are reasonable around those grades.
You hit the nail on the head, BoneD.... The auction photos look to make it oh so uncleaned, untouched... I had to go back and forth 6 or 8 times between the 2 sets of photos, just to make sure I was looking at the same coin. Definately NOT AU-ish. More like an EF40 or EF45 at best in my opinion... Looks like an O-107 (R5) in my 1970 Overton Book, based on obverse Star1 centered, Star7 centered and center of curl, and on the reverse, the left side of "E" of E Pluribus is roughly aligned with the right side of the " D" in United. Of Course I am talking about the Verticle legs of these letters. The only close attribute I could find in my 1970 2nd (REVISED) Edition of Al Overtons book.
Thanks for taking a look. The coin has a gorgeous light honey tone, so I would have to say the top photo is the most accurate. Here is a pic using just a table (100watt) lamp. I paid $250 for it which was WAY over my goal of getting a complete Capped Bust Half Dollar collection for less than $100 a coin, but the jump in value when the coin is XF or higher made the price a bargain in my opinion. Here is my complete Bust Coinage collection if you'd like to check it out. http://www.coincommunity.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=157 Take Care Ben
I have to say BoneD The auction photos seem to depict an original uncleaned coin in my opinion. Your photos of the same coin (overexposed, too much flash?) make it seem as a shiney cleaned example. In any case, the underlying grade to me is XF45 or so.
I'd say you have an AU half. The features that appear "worn" on the high points of the obverse are common on other halves I've seen graded AU and higher, like the example you have above. The reverse tells a better story. You have to remember, a lot of these early halves were struck with coin presses not designed to strike up such large coins and the dies took a hard beating. I'd bet money if you have it certified it would come back AU. Nice pick up! Guy~
I agree with you %100, the PCI grade is way (XF-40) off, but it was the only example I could find in a hurry, LOL...
Really nice collection - I think your posts helped me decide on what to work on while I try to improve my copper coins. I have one bust half, one IHC(upgrade) and one half cent coming. I have been trying to bid on ones I think are VF and are pleasing to my eye. I have been trying to keep my bids under 85 or under including shipping. Needless to say I lose a lot of auctions, but have found with patience I can eventually win one. So thanks for sharing! I won't be doing a collection based off overton numbers, but I might eventually do a red book set.
Hey Boned!! Just checked out you collection!!! Impressed!! ! Most major overdates, and the small, large, squared, curled, knobbed varieties are covered!!! NICE!!!
I love the look of the coin, but I would grade it as a nice XF. The PCI looks a touch high, as I would call it XF as well, with the flatness on the left wing being striking weakness.
Ben: Very nice. Isn't the 1810 normally weakly struck? If so it should AU. If a normal strike, then XF+. Another great coin.
