I recently purchsed an 1829 Bust Half Dollar in XF condition. After looking at the coin I noticed the edging wasn't the original "F I F T Y C E N T S O R A H A L F D O L L A R". It read: "F I F T Y C E N T S O RL F A D O L L A R" I've done a few hours of research and cannot find anywhere mentioning an error such as this. Has anyone heard of this error? Does this add value to this coin? Thank you, I would provide pictures but I'm having camera difficulty.
the OR and the LF are right next to each other. I will try to take a detailed picture and have it up today.
Edge lettering was applied to coin blanks before striking using a Castaing Machine. The Castaing Machine was essentially two parallel bars with lettering in relief (and in reverse) that impressed the lettering into the blanks by turning a crank which caused one of the bars to move. The blank was placed between the bars (which were set slightly closer than the diameter of the blanks) and when one bar moved the blank would rotate between the bars while the edge lettering was pressed into the edge of the blank. Sometimes the blank would slip causing the edge lettering to skip or overlap. I'm not sure if an edge lettering error like you describe would command much of a premium (if any). Perhaps a CBH collector can answer that question.
That is edge error E16. see D.L. Parsley's United States Early Half Dollar Die Rarieties 1794 - 1836 4th ed. page 701. This book, otherwise referred to as Overton (the author of the first 3 editions) is the bible on pre-1837 half dollars. Unfortunately, it doesn't give rarity estimates on edge errors, but they do occur. I suspect that an edge error would add value to the coin, but no idea how much.
Another member posted a capped bust half with an edge lettering error about a year ago, if memory serves the consensus of the members was that it was not an error that would add much of a premium.
Many, perhaps even most, have incomplete edge lettering, as far as I've seen. No premiums on them that I'm aware of. Guy~
The edge lettering varies and changes over the full mintage. As coleguy mentions I have more then a few withount any lettering. I have never seen a premium attached to any Bust halve with edge lettering mash marks or otherwise incomplete lettering. Thanks, Steve
Well, I posted this one awhile back and it drew about a 10% premium I would estimate, when I sold it... I have seen several similar to it, and I think it is more of a 'slippage' error that occurs since the edge lettering was pressed in two 'pieces' and with the slippage they sometimes overlap... I was told, and I have since verified, that an error with double or triple lettering draws a greater premium, and I have since seen one of those where all the lettering is in the proper position, but doubled... Here is the pic of the one I sold awhile back...
Small overlaps (one or two letters) are not that unusual. Beyond that the more overlap the rarer they are and they will start bringing a premium. Other edge lettering errors that will bring a significant premium are coins that have gone that the lettering process more than once, gone through more than once with the coin being flipped over between passes, planchets lettered with one edge die right side up and the other upside down, and one of the most desirable planchets that were never edge lettered.
Hello Condor, I for one would love to know who is paying premiums for edge varietys,cause I have a boat load of em. I always scope them out prior to purchasemore or less to search for hidden damage I have been buying them and selling them since 1991, and this this thread was the first time I have seen anyone express an interest. Please let me know who paying premiums, it would help me move a lot of my doubles & triples. Thanks in advance, look foward to hearing from you, Steve, PS Dayriser would love to see both sides of your example.
Well I have no interest in edge lettering errors. As a matter of fact probably 50% or more of my bust halves have a edge type error - but not like doubled or tripled edge letters. I have heard those bring premiums - but I have not seen one, nor has anyone advertised one that I have seen. I have seen a couple on ebay that had the one or two letter overlap mentioned - but no premium there. If you have some that are doubled and tripled strikeluster I would go over to coinzip and ask the bust half nuts about them. I always check the edge lettering, but never anything really cool.
mark-h, Thats been my experience as well. Some times I think no two have the same edge lettering. I know the Overton has a section on edges, but as long as it wasnt damage I really didnt care. But I know I have some strange edges going on. XXX types etc. But I will have to look now and see whats in the ol box. Thanks for posting the link, Steve
I found this edge lettering error on an 1828 Capped Bust Half Dollar 50C. "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR" has the "R" of "or" over the "H" of "half". I've never seen this 1828 error before and can't find anyone else who has. Overton 113, sm. 8s LL square base 2, 50C 1828 Capped Bust Half (extra keywords for Google). I'm sorry to bump an old thread but it took me a lot of Google searches to find anything related. Maybe it can help someone else with all the valuable information. Thanks, SS
Silverspores, if you read the thread you will find the explanation for the edge lettering errors. They can happen on ANY year of variety of the bust halves and unless the over lap is extreme they seldom command any premium. See especially posts 9 and 10.
Hi, there is a name for this, where the belt jumps I have one too but took me a long time to find out that it's not actually classed as an error but could add a little extra value if I remember the name I found it out to be I'll try to come back and let you know, I do see it as an error personally as it's not normal and love mine so much more for this, I believe it is mentioned in the Overton issues (later) oh the name is bugging me, a machine jump or something, sorry I cant be of more use to you rite now. Sincerely Dan
