I recently picked up a much-loved 1830 dime. While adding it to my collection catalog, I found out that there are apparently a ton of varieties (not surprising, since the mint had anything but uniform procedures at the time). Do we have any bust dime experts who wouldn't mind giving me a tutorial in the varieties? I found 7 listed, but no explanation of what sets each apart: http://www.coinfacts.com/dimes/capped_bust_dimes/1830_dimes/1830_dime_varieties.htm Hopefully the diagnostics are primarily on the reverse, as I'd say this is a split grade G/VG (or AG/G if you had a rough weekend or just don't like Mondays):
My GUESS--based on the pics--is JR-7. It might be JR-8 (same reverse). On the JR-7 obverse the date is fairly even. On JR-8 obverse the date is wavy; a low 1, high 8, low 3, and a high 0.
Thanks. The date looks pretty even to me, so JR-8 seems unlikely. What diagnostics led you to determine it was a JR-7 or JR-8?
Where the stem of the olive branch ends above C on the reverse is either 6, 7, or 8. The banner on JR-7/8 starts a little before D and extends a little further under them M than on the reverse used for 6. Also, the 0 in 10 C is punched in high on JR-6. Mostly, it's just a gut feeling based on having looked at a bunch of coins over the years. Pics from the Russell Logan collection... JR-6 JR-7 JR-8
I see it now! So, JR-6 & JR-8 both have a pointy stemmed olive branch, with the obverse date being relatively level on JR-6 and the "8" of the date on JR-8 being noticeably elevated to give the date a galloping look. Thanks, that was very helpful.
Your date is shifted too far right to match any of those three. Look at where the individual digits line up against the bottom draping, neck and hair curls.
You are correct. (One more reason not to do this at work using online pics rather than wait until one gets home and can look at the book and his notes.) This makes it look more like JR-5. Again, better pics (out of 2X2) might help. Pic, again from Russ Logan Collection.
One thing to add: the JR-5 (as well as the JR-4) is the 1830/29 overdate. I doubt that it is worth any premium in this condition, but it fills the hole in a Red Book collection.
