These are collected by Die marriages which are classified by Overton # which would include any variety .
Well, the 1822 is an interesting one. It is an O-107 which is the popular "button cap" variety. It is an R2. It is interesting since it is has a little bit of engravers art and he put a "button" at the folds of the cap. It is not found on any other variety in the series. Unfortunately, the piece is too worn to see it. The 1828 is an O-103 which is also an R2. It has the Curled 2 with large slender 8's. On the reverse you can see something interesting. The first lines of stripes 1-2-3 extend to the second crossbar, which is clearly seen on your specimen. Mike
The 1831 is easily identified as having Obv. 3 because of the die lies visible beneath and in front of the bust. This obverse was used for O.104 and O.105 but not all O.104's display the die lines. You can use the T-I positions to narrow it down to O.105 which uses Rev. E. You'll notice that many of the shield lines penetrate the crossbars. O.105 is currently and R-3. I'm fairly sure that your 1834 is an O.110, R-3. This die marriage features a die crack/line encircling the reverse which I can't see on your example. Though it is possible it was worn off, it's difficult for me to be certain. Jesse
Jesse, Yeah the '34 is a 110. On the reverse everything matches, and line 2-3 on stripe 3 extending to crossbar 2 clinches it as it is a perfect match. The obverse also confirms as star 7 is correct. It is very odd though that the die crack is not visible. It should show up in some of the protected areas at least. I may see a hint of it from below the second S to the O, but it is faint and I may be seeing things What do you think?
Just got my Parsley book back from a friend who borrowed it . I like these threads , especially when the answers are already given and all I have to do is check them . : )
I was also thinking it was odd that it was not visible, even in that state of preservation. I'll look into it and see if there is a possibility that it was lapped off? For the 1838, mikem is correct, you won't find any information about them in the Overton or Peterson books. The authoritative reference is A Registry of Die Varieties of Reeded Edge Half Dollars 1836-1839 by Dick Graham. He made a very difficult subject with very small differences between varieties, quite easy to navigate. Not to mention, that fantastic Introduction written by Thomas Bush (TomB). The book is well worth the $65. Anyway, back to the coin; because these half dollars are hubbed, the only differences that we can use to differentiate between dies, is the date, and any irregularities (die lines, cracks, bumps, scratches, etc). In my opinion, your coin is a GR-13, R-1, in a later die state (weak dentilation on the obverse). My main diagnostics being a lump on Lady Liberty's temple and a crack through the right wing, olive leaves into H.
