Hello, Is this 1858 Half dime what i think it is, an 1858 over inverted date? I bought it many years ago as a normal date, and paid about $ 25 for it. I have taken as close-up pictures as i can. Can you please confirm if it is or not the inverted date? My eyes are not that good, but it sure looks like there are die lines between the digits in the date, as described in the Red Book. The reverse shows also some curious die lines among the leaves on the right. Also, i am very curious about the grade of this coin. Please give me your opinions. Thanks, Eduard
I don't know much about that stuff, and its kinda hard to tell from the pics, but I think I see what your talking about.
Yes, that appears to be a 1858 over inverted 1858. VP-001. Al Blythe, in his Seated Liberty half dime book, says of this issue that "All four digits of the date were originally punched upside down and then corrected. Tops of the inverted punched numerals can be seen slightly above the middle of the corrected date." Here's a link to another example: http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=446&Lot_No=890&src=pr# Your coin looks, to me, to be AU, and the reverse has both a die crack and evidence of clashing. Thanks for sharing...Mike
OK Mike a question, with the high points of the wreath and bow being worn nearly flat, and the top half of the left leaves being nearly flat - you say AU ? Yeah I know, weak strike. But usually a weak strike on these shows on the shield, not these areas. And you can still see traces of the details, but they appear to be worn down more than the result of a weak strike. I could see XF40 for the coin, but AU seems pushing it. Again, I'm looking to discuss it, not trying to argue with you.
I said AU because of the apparent lack of high-point rub, and the presence of luster most evident on the obverse (the photos seem to show a great deal of luster in Liberty's dress, and her forearm and the pole aren't marked up like they are on most XFs). The areas you mention on wreath and bow on the reverse, I'm fairly certain, is from a lack of strike, as other areas of the wreath show good detail with just a touch of rub (look at 12-2 o'clock). I would also expect the rims to show more wear/damage if lower than AU. That said, XF or even VF wouldn't surprise me, because to be honest, all of Eduard's photos confuse me (for instance, the obverse looks quite original, and the reverse looks overdipped/cleaned), and as a result I don't have a great deal of confidence in my assessments...Mike
