1818 Half Odd Question

It’s a quiet afternoon so I am spending a little quality coin time. I have owned this half a long time and am just now noticing a break at the top of both of the 8’s in the date. A break on one I would just write off as an odd hit. Is this just an example of a doubly odd hit?

 

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There are a number of varieties for the 1818. Yours appears to be "normal date".
Where the first or the 2nd 8 is not small.
I don't think this type date is listed here: (but some photos are missing, or didn't load for me)
http://www.coinfacts.com/half_dolla...8_half_dollars/1818_half_dollar_varieties.htm

 

Very nice coin, Randy! I have been trying to obtain a Capped Bust half/quarter/dime/half dime for a decent price, and have so far been unsuccessful. About the date, I looked at some other 1818 year Capped Busts, and I think yours is the normal date, like Michael said.

 

Thanks. It’s just the breaks at the top of both 8’s that have me a bit bewildered.

 

Pincer 8 variety. Neat but fairly easy to locate Overton Variety.

 

Being a rabid hobbyist rather than an educated numismatist I really should increase my reference library. I have not heard of a pincer 8 and didn’t see it in my limited references. Is Overtons a book or a website?

 

The Overton book is a must have! They are about $40-$50, but can make/save you a lot of money in the end.

 

I believe it is the result of a broken 8 punch. There is an 1817 large cent that also comes with the 8 open (N-3), but on it the opening is at the bottom. I don't know if it is the same punch though.

 

Yes, a book.
The 3rd edition has the best photos, but the 5th is more accurate.

I use the 5th.
It takes practice to id the die marriages, but it is addictive.

 

Yours appears to be O-108, R-1.

Obv 6, Rev F

 

I have ordered the book. Thanks.

 

I agree


http://maibockaddict.com/1818-o-108-r1-caped-bust-half-dollar.shtml

 

Uh oh.
Do you get addicted to things?

I just had to comment, didn't see this post earlier, but I was just looking at a couple of those pincer 8's on eBay today....

 

Unfortunately.... Yes

 

It's a fun habit. Nice coin.

 

In the Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins [ISBN 0-385-14207-2] on p.183. It states @ 4625 Ov. 108. 8's open at tops. Ex. Rare UNC ( No picture) Nice find.

 

Looks like a nice problem-free half dollar.

 

It's not rare...it's not even scarce...in fact, it's one of--if not the most--common die marriages for the year with several 1000 known examples ranging from worn slick to mid-level mint state coins.

Common or not, the OP's example appears to be quite nice looking for the grade.

 

I'm certainly no expert, but enlarging your photo and looking closely at the second 8, it looks like it could be PMD as the lower section is also deformed. Or maybe the date punch was damaged there also. Maybe some better close-up photos of the date would be helpful.

 

It was a broken 8 punch...It occurs on all examples of the die marriage.