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Broken Collar??

habaracahabaraca Posts: 1,964 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited December 15, 2018 8:23AM in U.S. Coin Forum

What are your thoughts and opinions on this Bust Half described below... the edge is smooth and somewhat rounded...
she is 32.3 mm

BROKEN COLLAR ERROR!

This coin was struck without a retaining collar and has...

NO EDGE LETTERING!

Comments

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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I agree with @CaptHenway .... Excessively worn coin... Cheers, RickO

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    gonzergonzer Posts: 2,989 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Broken collar would have two raised "bumps" on the edge.

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    JBKJBK Posts: 14,749 ✭✭✭✭✭

    With a coin that worn how could such a diagnosis be made?

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    thefinnthefinn Posts: 2,653 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They were broad struck until 1836 - hence the receded edge. The edge lettering was added to the planchette by a castaing machine before striking.

    thefinn
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    BustDMsBustDMs Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @habaraca said:
    What are your thoughts and opinions on this Bust Half described below... the edge is smooth and somewhat rounded...
    she is 32.3 mm

    RedBook lists diameter at 32.5mm. Remember this for later.

    BROKEN COLLAR ERROR!

    No, No ,No it is Not. Reasoning to follow.

    This coin was struck without a retaining collar and has...

    ALL lettered edge bust halves were struck from “loose” collars that allowed for uncontrolled expansion of the coin during striking.

    NO EDGE LETTERING!

    This resulted from wear or other reasons POST minting.

    So, let’s review a little about the production of CBH’s.

    The flan was cut from the strip by a cutting press. The metal was cleanly cut for a little over half of the process then it “snapped” leaving a “belly line” around the circumference of the edge. This can clearly be seen on all the genuine unlettered edge halves.

    Next the flan was passed through the Castaing machine which did TWO things. First, obviously, it lettered the edge but it also UPSET THE RIM reducing the diameter of the now planchet from what it was as a flan. The upset rims would now “contain” the strike causing the energy of the press to produce a better struck coin.

    If this was done in a closed collar the edge lettering would have been crushed like the crushed lettered edge proof half dollars of 1833-5 that were made at the same time as the 1804 dollars.

    So, if you think you have a true unlettered edge half dollar it would have to be LARGER in diameter than a normal CBH. There would be a “belly line” around the circumference of the coin and the fields would fall away at the perimeter of the coin as the rims were never upset to contain the strike.

    Unlettered edge halves are unmistakable once you’ve seen one. They are also rare. Good luck finding one. But the coin illustrated here IS NOT ONE.

    Brad

    Q: When does a collector become a numismatist?



    A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.



    A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
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    habaracahabaraca Posts: 1,964 ✭✭✭✭✭

    BustDMs good write up.... here is the edge of a true Bust half without edge lettering error....
    As verified by Fred Weinberg and many Bust half collectors...


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    BustDMsBustDMs Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @habaraca said:
    BustDMs good write up.... here is the edge of a true Bust half without edge lettering error....
    As verified by Fred Weinberg and many Bust half collectors...


    What date, marriage and condition?

    I happen to own the 1812 O103 ex: Dosier, Hilgard, Logan, Hilgard specimen.

    Q: When does a collector become a numismatist?



    A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.



    A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
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    habaracahabaraca Posts: 1,964 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1834 O-115





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