looking to buy this bust half, opinions needed

I am just getting into bust halves and am looking to possibly buy this one...




I really like the look of it but I'm wondering what the dark areas around the rim are. Anyone have any ideas? It's in PCGS slab, if it makes any difference.

 

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Looks OKay to me. The strike is spectacular, it's been HAMMERED.

Ben

 

Slab doesn't mean a thing to me, personally, other than it is a good starting point for grade/valuation discussions.

The coin doesn't look overly dark near the rims, and frankly that isn't something that bothers me in the least when viewing the photos -- is it more pronounced in-hand? I suspect the coin spent some time in an album and that's why it toned the way it did, but hard to say for sure....

That said, I like this coin. I like it more than 95% of bust halves I see, in fact. If presented for sale, I would consider it serously.

However, I disagree (perhaps through ignorance) with Mr. Bonedigger (who has far more experience than I with these coins) that the coin is hammered. I see weakness in some of the stars and the breast area on the obverse, and in the ribbon and A in STATES on the reverse as well as the 5 in 50 CENTS.

One question -- how's the coin's luster? Does it cartwheel in-hand? I don't see much luster in the photos, and I would expect quite a bit given the level of detail on the coin -- but that could just be the method in which the coin was photographed/scanned.

But what's really important is what YOU think about the coin, not what others think. Respectfully...Mike

 

Thanks for the comments. I have not yet seen it in hand so I don't know exactly what the luster is like, but I think I can see some underneath the toning. I think I'm gonna go for it...wish me luck and I'll post some more photos when I get it in hand.

 

Leadfoot and DJ, inorder to (attempt) rest your concerns about the areas where weakness is shown one has to take into consideration that the CBH is a very thick coin (in places) and the areas which are weak on one side appear to be struck-up on the other side. Typically weakness in the banner is equated to the high spot bust and clasp on the obverse. The 50 is directly across from the thick (high) cap Miss Liberty has upon her head. Simply the result of metal flow when struck or lack thereof. CBH stars vary greatly one side may be sharp and the other side flat, this is due simply to the die used for the particular marriage.

The "hammered" strike characteristics I'm referring to are the superb rims obv & rev. What is in between can either be attributed to #1. Wear, #2. Coin Thickness, or #3. Particular Die Characteristics. Often all three at the same time. This is a good looking AU coin IMHO.

Rest easy, it's a nice coin
Ben

 

What Ben said!

The Bust Meister!

 

It would have to be slabbed before I'd consider purchasing it.
The weakness in the banner disturbs me.

Also appears that the obverse may have been struck with a clashed die.
That would not be a plus or minus; just an occurance.

 

Buy it. There is nothing fishy about that coin.

 

It's an O-116 R-1 as well.

Ben

 

A very nice AU half. One thing it has going for it is, it looks very original.

 

hmm, i love the obverse, and most of the reverse. That weakness in the banner is a little bothersome, but the eye appeal of that bust is very nice. if I saw it for sale, It would be very hard to not buy

 

If its a decent price I would go for it. I see nothing wrong with this coin that would stop me from a purchase if it would fit in my budget that is.

Nice pickup if you should buy it. If not let us know where its at.. (hint)

 

I agree - buy this puppy. Of course, only if you are sure you want it and like its appearance.

 

I think it's a nice coin, DJ. It'll make a nice addition to say the least.
Guy~

 

looks good to me, wish mine had some of those details.

 

Hammered. I thought thats the way Bone gets when he is grading coins. LOL...

Just thought I would toss it out there, struck me funny.

Waiting to hear back from DJ and see if he made the plung over to the grey side..

 

PUN !!



Snatch her up, DJ.

 

Chuckle, the BeNT MS-70 grading juice has been shelved for the past few weeks. Thinking about doing some MS-70 grading today though, LOL...

 

Ditto. Buy it, bud.

 

Well I bought it and received it some time ago...finally got around to photographing it today. I'm quite pleased with the coin. What do you all think?