1836 5 cent found on Exmoor in the UK - authentic/grade/value please?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by PaddyB, Jul 4, 2018.

  1. PaddyB

    PaddyB Eccentric enthusiast

    I usually hang out on the World Coins forum but I have been brought this by a farmer here in North Devon. Apparently found by his detectorist nephew on his farm on the edge of Dartmoor.
    Weighs 1.35g, which is right, and I have had it checked on an X-ray machine as silver.
    Any reason to believe it is not authentic? Are these faked?
    What grade on a US scale would you give it, if it is right?
    The owner wants me to sell it for him - what sort of price should I ask?

    Thanks for any assistance.
    USA 1836 5c 1.JPG USA 1836 5c 2.JPG
     
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  3. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Certainly appears authentic to me. I have a couple of these. I am thinking maybe fine 12-15 except those scratches take away from that. I don't know how to translate this to Euro's but I am thinking maybe a $60.00 piece with the surface scratches. That's about what I would give for it anyway. Cool find!
     
  4. PaddyB

    PaddyB Eccentric enthusiast

    Thanks for that - it helps. Sadly they tried to clean it before showing it to me!
     
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  5. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    This is one of those coins that you wish could tell you it's life story!
     
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  6. NOS

    NOS Former Coin Hoarder

    And that's where they've likely screwed up. They should have left it untouched and presented it to you as it was found in the ground. I don't know if those scratches are contemporary but if they're not their attempts at cleaning have brought down its condition and value considerably.
     
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  7. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    First, although there is "5 C." on the reverse leading you to call it a 5 cent piece,
    it is correctly called a Half Dime.
    All silver coins of this face value are referred to as Half Dimes.
    And it is part of the Capped Bust design issue.

    I took a quick look to determine the variety.
    It appears to me to be an 1836 LM-1, R-5.
    The "LM" is from the Logan/McCloskey book, and the R-5 means Rarity 5 (Rare: 31-75 known).
    That places it as the rarest of the the 1836 varieties.
    If I'm correct in my identification it's a very nice find.

    I see it as a late die state as shown by the metal flow lines in the outer areas.
    I would tend to grade it at least VF-20.
    But the cleaning puts a serious dent in its value.
    Maybe somewhere in the $50-100 range.
     
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  8. Paddy54

    Paddy54 Well-Known Member

    Paddy your coin is an 1836 cap bust half dime it is an LM 6 Obv. 4 Rev. JJ that makes it an R-3 rarity. " Scarce " but more that 200 known specimens known!
    As stated this is in the late die state. Due to the condition I say xf /vf netting vf detailed due to cleaning I place its value around $50-60.usd.
    As an collector of both cap bust and seated half dimes this still is a nice find for it's R factor and condition.
    This is one of the first post in a few weeks as my phone and Pad were stolen and I lost all my passwords for both private and business contacts.
    Nice find cheers
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2018
  9. Paddy54

    Paddy54 Well-Known Member

    In order for this to be the 1836 LM 1.1 remarriage there would need be a massive die crack.
    Starting at the T in united running along the EPU banner to the left side of the E in states.
    There would also need be an die crack from the top of the O in of to the rim. There's also another die crack from the top of the last A in America to the rim.
    The reverse would need be the DD rev. Die which this specimen is the JJ reverse die.
    The S in states does not aline with the S in Epluribus it is close but isn't correct.
    The 5 C. Flag of the 5 tip doesn't aline with the feather on the arrow.
    The obv. The date the 3 and digits in the date do not match as in style and placement. Notice the 3 the opening is or looks to be somewhat connected .
     
  10. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    I just took a quick look.
    I'll go look again and be more careful.
    I knew about many of the die cracks but with the abrasive cleaning I couldn't depend on seeing/not seeing them.
     
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  11. SilverDollar2017

    SilverDollar2017 Morgan dollars

    VF-20 Details, harshly cleaned. Authentic.
     
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